When Four Become One

Credit Union’ Pat Killilea

hen it was announced just before 2017 got underway that Greystones and Bray Credit Unions were proposing a merger, naturally, some people were wary…

There was the fear that, once again, the Kilcoole and Newtown branches might come up for closure once again. And that Greystones itself might follow soon after.

The 2019 crew

That some took to social media with the hashtag #SaveOurCreditUnion reflected their belief that the merger would bring only trouble – and much of it would affect your friendly, local Greystones Credit Union more than, claims one Facebook poster, Bray’s rather  unfriendly Credit Union.

There were also early worries about staff losing their jobs, and local offices losing their power and position.

Naturally, the merger will come with new benefits to members here, including the availability of a Death Benefit Insurance (with a current value of €1,300), a Foreign Exchange facility, additional loan products not currently available in Greystones (Car Loan: 6.96% APR/Educational Loan: 7.23% APR) and that popular Members Car Draw.

As members prepare to vote on the merger, we had a chat this afternoon with Pat Killilea, Cathaoirleach of Greystones & District Credit Union, to find out the why, where, when and how of four becoming one…

The merger of the four Credit Unions was vetoed by a Greystones members vote on January 19th 2017.