Olive McCarthy

Money-Lending and Financial Exclusion

This article focuses on money-lending and financial exclusion in Ireland. Borrowing from money-lenders is seen in the academic literature as an indicator of exclusion from more affordable sources of credit. However, Ireland has a widespread credit union movement which provides access to affordable credit. The authors investigated whether this has an impact on the use of money-lending in Ireland. They found that a significant number of people who borrow from moneylenders also borrow from mainstream sources of credit. The borrower and moneylender relationship is complex and is not centred on access alone. The authors explain why new policy is needed which must not only focus on access to financial services but equally on financial education and regulation.

Irish Credit Unions: Exploring the Gender Mix

Credit unions are voluntary cooperative financial institutions. At present there are 621 credit unions in Ireland serving two million members. Credit unions espouse the principle of gender inclusiveness, which is viewed as a fundamental cooperative concept. Based on a survey of 500 Irish credit unions, this study explores the role of women in credit unions. Judged against participation rates for women in the labor market and in specific organizations such as trade unions, the study suggests that gender balance in credit unions is superior to that elsewhere in Irish society. There is, however, some evidence of gender imbalance in the composition of credit union boards with this being most visible for key decision-making positions such as Chair and Vice-Chair. It also emerges that gender imbalance becomes more pronounced for larger credit unions supporting the contention that women are found in greater numbers on small and less well-connected not-for-profit boards.

Value proposition preferences of credit union members and patronage activity

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the technical and relational value proposition preferences of credit union members and to examine the relationship between their preference and patronage activity. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 800 members of credit unions were surveyed. Exploratory factor analysis was used and four factors were extracted incorporating technical and relational dimensions of the credit union service. Member value proposition preferences are examined and the relationship to patronage activity of the credit union was explored. Findings – The majority of members express a higher or equal preference for a relational rather than a technical value proposition. Those that express a greater or equal preference for relational value are more likely to have a higher level of patronage activity. Research limitations/implications – Credit unions are member-owned financial institutions and hence the study is context dependent. Credit unions are member-owned financial instituti...

The Financial Co-operative System in Ireland

The financial co-operative system in Ireland is comprised mainly of credit unions. The Irish credit union movement includes over 520 individual credit unions with a combined asset base of over 16 billion euros, total membership of over 3.6 million people, total savings of over 13 billion euros and total lending of over 4.5 billion euros. This chapter explores the current size, structure, operations and challenges of the movement across two jurisdictions: Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This is a particularly difficult and complex time for credit unions in both jurisdictions as they face significant regulatory, legislative and structural changes.