Credit Union now opening on Mondays

Mullingar Credit Union has announced that it is extending its opening hours at the main office in Mullingar.

The office previously opened five days a week, Tuesday to Saturday, and late on Thursdays – to 7.30pm.

Staring last week, the Mullingar office is open six days a week, Monday to Saturday.

The Thursday opening hours are also changed: the office is now open all day from 9.30am to 7pm (note the earlier closing time).

The previous opening arrangements had been in operation since 2004 and have served the credit union and its members well.

However, as part of a strategic review of operations, the board of directors has decided to extend the opening hours to meet continued demand from members for additional services.

Manager Tom Allen said: “Mullingar Credit Union is a large progressive financial organisation with assets of over €250 million, serving almost 40,000 members.

“Since our foundation in 1962 we have always tried to meet the financial needs of our members and have introduced new and improved services progressively over the years.

"Time and time again credit unions have come out as the top financial performer in customer satisfaction surveys – however, members and the public at large have repeatedly said they want more products and services from their credit unions.

“Here in Mullingar we have always tried to respond to this.

“We were one of the first credit unions in the country to introduce ATM services, electronic funds transfer and on-line banking services.

“Over the last few years we have introduced reduced rate college loans to help students fund their education, and our ‘Cultivate’ lending product, which is specifically targeted at the farming sector.

“We are currently introducing our ‘CU Home’ mortgage product and over the next few months we intend to offer current accounts and debit cards.

“These have all been introduced due to member demand.”

Mr Allen said that the extension of opening hours in the Mullingar office was something the management team had been considering for some time.

“As other financial institutions have reduced and changed the services they provide to the public, the demand for our services, particularly the personal in-office service that we provide, has greatly increased,” he pointed out.

“Following the introduction of the new opening hours, the main office in Mullingar will be open to the public for 47 hours per week,” Mr Allen said.

He confirmed that the two smaller offices in Kinnegad and Rochfortbridge will continue with their existing opening hours.