New figures from the Central Bank show that both the level of savings and loans increased last year at the country’s credit unions as the sector continues to move into the mortgage market.
The Financial Conditions of Credit Unions Report for 2025, from the Central Bank, shows that member savings increased 5% to €18.7 billion last year from €17.9 billion in 2024.
Today’s report shows that gross loans outstanding rose by 7% to €7.7 billion, while new loans issued during the year amounted to €3.3 billion – the same as for 2024.
Personal loans continue to make up the majority of credit union loans, totalling €6.54 billion or 85.4% of total loans outstanding. The average personal loan size issued in 2025 was €6,000, today’s report noted.
Credit unions continued to diversify their loan portfolios last year, mainly by increasing the level of house lending.
House loans accounted for 12% of loans outstanding, up from 10% in 2024, with a total value of €900m, today’s report states. The average house loan issued in 2025 was €146,000.
It also said that average sector total realised reserves as a percentage of total assets have remained steady at 16.8%. The required regulatory minimum is 10% of assets.
Meanwhile, the sector’s Return on assets (RoA), while still low, increased for the third year in a row, from 0.98% to 1.05%.
This marked the highest year-end RoA reported for the sector since September 2017 with the rise last year mainly on the back of an increase in interest income.
The Registrar of Credit Unions, Elaine Byrne, said that targeted but significant changes introduced to the regulatory lending framework for credit unions (effective from September 2025) provide credit unions with increased scope to provide house and business lending to members.
“It is our expectation that credit unions planning to avail of these changes do so in a phased, prudent and sustainable manner and continue to develop the skills and expertise necessary for these types of lending,” Ms Byrne said.
“Maintaining and building strong reserves and liquidity, and strengthening operational resilience, should remain a key focus for credit union boards and management,” she added.
