Join UsCLCU Frequently Asked Questions
CLCU have loans for everything you want to borrow for. Whether it’s a new car, a dream kitchen, or getting onto the property ladder for the first time, CLCU can help you. We offer loans of up to €100,000 and we also do larger business loans, and mortgages up to €650,000. Read more about our loans here.
Your loan will be granted based on your repayment ability. You do not need to have money in your account unless you are applying for a covered loan – in this case, you must have at a minimum, the amount you are looking to borrow.
You can join and apply on the same day! You don’t need to be a member for a certain length of time to apply as we base our decisions on your repayment ability. You can find out more about our loans here.
We make quick loan decisions, with some loans being approved on same day.
We have a wide range of great value business loans. To find out more, please visit this link: https://www.clcu.ie/business-loans/
Yes, new members can apply for a loan straight away. Unlike the old Credit Union myths, you don’t need to have saved with us, or have a certain amount in your account.
You must be a member to apply for a loan, however, we have made it simple and you can join and apply for your loan at the same time.
It’s simple to join and it takes approximately 3 minutes to complete the application form. You can join online, or in branch but to qualify, you must work or live in our common bond. Alternatively, you can also join if you’re associated with a member (i.e., a spouse, parent, sibling, or child). Find out why Credit Unions are better than banks here.
The maximum personal loan we offer is up to €100,000 and we also offer mortgages up to €650,000. We base our loan decisions on your ability to repay, and loan applications are manually accessed by our experienced lending team – we don’t use a computer algorithm!
Yes, there are no penalties or fees for early repayment of your loan if it’s not a fixed term loan.
If you wish to change the date of a loan repayment, please drop into one of our branches or call us on freephone 1800 23 24 25.
You will see the balance if you log into the online banking portal. Alternatively, call into one of our branches, or call us on freephone 1800 23 24 25.
If you have applied for a loan and are waiting for a decision, please call us on 1800 232425 for an update.
Please note; all loans are manually assessed by our experienced lenders and not an algorithim. We do this to ensure our members get a fair decision, but it means that loans can take a little longer.
To top up a loan, please contact us on freephone 1800 232425 or drop into any of our branches.
You can apply for your loan over the phone or online or through our app. We also offer the option of signing your loan paperwork digitally, so no need to take time out of your day to visit the branch.
Yes, simply log into your CU Online account and launch your online banking portal. From there, you can select the option for ‘card payments’ and follow the steps to make a deposit to your account. For more information on how to make debit card payments to your CU account, watch our short tutorial video here.
Yes, loan decisions are based on your ability to repay. We will always advise you on the best rates and loan products, and whether you should amalgamate all loans into one.
Our interest is calculated on a reducing rate of interest. This means the amount of interest to be paid is calculated against the outstanding balance, rather than the original principal amount.
This differs from a flat rate of interest where the interest remains the same for the duration of the loan, as it is always calculated against the original amount borrowed (principal).
Your account will need to have an up-to-date form of ID, PPS, and proof of address. Don’t worry, we will let you know if it needs to be updated.
If you are an employee, you will also need:
Your three most recent Payslips.
Your three months’ most up-to-date Bank Statements (ended during the past 30 days).
Your last 3 Credit card statements (if you have a credit card).
Proof of your current Mortgage (i.e. any statement or letter giving a balance confirmation – if you have a mortgage).
If you are self-employed:
Your three months’ most up-to-date personal Bank Statements (ended during the past 30 days).
Your three months’ most up-to-date business Bank Statements (ended during the past 30 days).
Your three most up-to-date Credit Card(s) Statements (if you have a credit card).
You most recently finalised Financial Accounts, and permission to contact your accountant (please provide the accountant’s name and phone number).
Your most recent available Revenue Notice of Tax Assessment.
Your current Tax Clearance Cert and/or Confirmation from Revenue that any arrangement in place is being upheld (if applicable).
Proof of your current Mortgage (i.e. any statement or letter giving a balance confirmation – if you have a mortgage).
If you are retired, or not currently in employment:
Proof of your Social Welfare/Allowance/Pension – i.e. your last three Social Benefit Slips/Receipts
Proof of any other income you have.
Your three months’ most up-to-date Bank Statements (ended during the past 30 days).
Your three most up-to-date Credit Card(s) Statements (if you have a credit card).
Proof of your current Mortgage (i.e. any statement or letter giving a balance confirmation – if you have a mortgage).
Unfortunately, when you miss a loan repayment, your account falls into arrears and this may affect your credit rating. If it remains in arrears our Credit Control Department will contact you via phone, email, or letter. If you are having trouble making repayments, please contact us as soon as possible as we will always try to work out a solution.
If you are having trouble making your repayments, please contact us as soon as possible. We will always try to work with you to find a solution.
Members have access to their accounts 24/7 online and with their debit card. Our phone lines are open 6 days a week from 9.30am to 4.30pm on 1800 23 24 25 or click here for branch opening hours.
If your calling from abroad please call +353 46 973 1755
The common bond is the geographical area in which a person must live or work to join Croí Laighean Credit Union. Check out our common bond here.
You are eligible to join if you work or live in our common bond. Alternatively, you can also join if you’re associated with an exisiting member (i.e., a spouse, parent, sibling, or child).
You can join if you are associated with an existing member – i.e., a spouse, parent, sibling, or child.
Opening an account is easy – complete our online application form to get started. You will receive a confirmation email which includes a link to the ID Pal mobile app. Simply download ID Pal and use the app to submit your ID documents – our Membership team will be in touch within 1 business day* to finalise your application. You can watch our Application Form Tutorial Video to learn how to complete the online form. We also recommend reading about why our current accounts are the best option for you here.
If you are unable to complete an application online, contact us and our Membership team will be in touch. Please note that you must live or work in our common bond to become a member.
*Please note applications may take longer than 1 working day to process during busy periods. If you have lost the link to download ID Pal, please contact membership@clcu.ie.
Proof of ID, e.g. driving licence or passport (PPS cards cannot be accepted as proof of ID) and Proof of address, e.g. utility bill or bank statement issued within the last six months.
When you submit your online application, you will receive a confirmation email. This email includes a link to download the ID Pal mobile app from the Apple and Google Play stores.
Simply download the app and snap pictures of your ID/documents to complete the application process. You can watch our ID Pal Tutorial Video to learn how to use ID Pal.
If you have lost the link to download ID Pal, please contact membership@clcu.ie.
Absolutely! You can be a member of as many Credit Unions as you like. As long as you can demonstrate that you work or reside in our common bond, or are associated with an existing member (i.e., a spouse, parent, sibling, or child), you can join!
If an account has not had any Member transactions in the past 3 years, it will be classified as a Dormant Account. If this occurs, you will not be able to make any transactions until it has been reactivated.
To reactivate your account – you will need to complete our online application form, providing your current details. You will then receive a confirmation email with a link to the ID Pal mobile app. Simply download ID Pal and submit your identification documents – our membership team will then contact you within 1 business day* to finalise your application.
*Please note applications may take longer than 1 working day to process during busy periods. If you have lost the link to download ID Pal, please contact membership@clcu.ie.
If an account has not had any Member transactions in the past 3 years, it will be classified as a Dormant Account. If this occurs, you will not be able to make any transactions until it has been reactivated.
To reactivate your account – you will need to complete our online application form, providing your current details. You will then receive a confirmation email with a link to the ID Pal mobile app. Simply download ID Pal and submit your identification documents – our membership team will then contact you to finalise your application.
Anyone from the age of 7 years who lives, or are children of individuals who work in our common bond are eligible to open an account. Once the child turns 16, they will be upgraded to a full adult account. Find out more about Children’s savings accounts by clicking here.
For children under 7, we offer a family savings account that is a sub-account of your main share account.
You can access your account statements via online banking or request a copy in branch or by calling freephone 1800 232425 (if your calling from abroad please call +353 46 973 1755)
Nomination allows you to indicate who is to be the beneficiary of your credit union balances (subject to certain rules), in the event of your death. Any person(s) can be nominated and they don’t have to be a member of the credit union. Nomination is not required for joint accounts as the balances are automatically retained in the name of the surviving account holder.
A member can nominate anyone; family, a friend or group of people. It is important that members review their nomination form regularly.
You can change your nomination at any time but it’s important to note that a nomination becomes invalid if the member gets married, or the person that has been nominated dies.
Yes, you can call into any of our 4 branches which include Edenderry, Clane, Coill Dubh, and Leixlip.
Yes, we do, with competitive rates which you can order from our branch or online. Click here for more information >
Peopl Insurance is a new type of insurance using the principles Credit Unions have always worked to – ordinary people coming together using their collective power to rebalance things.
Peopl is backed by some of the leading Insurance companies in Royal London, RSA, AIG, Liberty and Mapfre and offers a range of insurance products including Home Insurance, Car Insurance, Holiday Insurance, Mortgage Protection, Term Life Insurance and Cancer Care. Click here to find out more >
You can sign up online by filling out the digital application form on this page: https://www.clcu.ie/links/members-draw/
Alternatively, download the members draw application form and drop it into your nearest branch. You must have €35 in your account. This will be automatically renewed every year.
To exit, simply contact our Member Services team on 1800 23 24 25 or email welcome@clcu.ie and ask to be removed from the draw.
If you can login to the Members Area, but you are having problems viewing or accessing other parts of our website, go to our Website Browsing – Help page.
Once you have signed up for CU Online with us, you can transfer funds to and from this account online using the IBAN. Please note that transfers to other financial institutions may take up to 3 working days to be processed.
All accounts now have a unique account identifier called a BIC/IBAN. This can be used if you want to set up a standing order or send an internet banking payment from your bank to your credit union account. Your IBAN can be found under your account on the online banking portal.
If you made the payment before 12 noon, it’ll be in the account by COB today. If you made it after 12 noon, it will be in your account by the next working day.
Please log into your online banking or app to check your account balance. Alternatively, drop into one of our branches or call us on freephone 1800 232425, or if your calling from abroad call +353 46 973 1755
We do indeed, you can find out more or apply for a business account by clicking here: https://www.clcu.ie/links/business-accounts/
Absolutely, find out more or apply online by visiting this link: https://www.clcu.ie/links/organisation-and-club-accounts/
To change your name or address, please drop into one of our branches or call us on freephone 1800 232425. You may need to bring proof of name change such as a marriage certificate or if you are reverting to your maiden name, some form of ID. If you are changing your address, you will need to bring proof of your new address.
You simply go to the CU Online registration page, click on ‘register for online access’ and follow the steps outlined.
If you lose/forget your PIN, you can request to have it reissued via the CU Online login page. Our Member Services Centre can also issue an SMS with your PIN – just call 1800 23 24 25.
Once you have signed up for CU Online with us, you can transfer funds to and from this account online. Please note that transfers to other financial institutions may take up to 3 working days to be processed.
If you already have a PIN and you are having trouble accessing the Members Area, view a list of potential problems and solutions on our Login Help – CU Online page.
Yes, simply log into your CU Online account and launch the online banking portal. From there, you can select the option for ‘card payments’ and follow the steps to make a deposit to your account. For more information on how to make debit card payments to your CU account, watch our short tutorial video here.
Once you register for online banking, you will see your IBAN and BIC in your account details. Alternatively, call our member services on 1800 23 24 25 and they will be able to assist.
Yes, we have an android and apple app for our online banking:
To learn how to register, please visit this page or watch our quick tutorial videos: Existing Members | Non-Members.
You can find out everything there is to know about our Credit Union Current Accounts here.
Members aged 12 years or older can open a current account. Click here to open a junior account >
At just €4 per month, we have one of the lowest monthly charges on the market. This fee includes chip & PIN transactions, contactless payments, ATM withdrawals, direct debit fees, and much more.
We offer a range of digital wallets including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and a globally accepted MasterCard debit card.
You can find out everything there is to know about our Credit Union Current Accounts here.
We offer 24/7 support for lost/stolen debit cards wherever you are. You can also suspend your Debit Card if you have lost the card.
Report your debit card as lost or stolen by calling our customer support on +353 (1) 693 3333 – this service is available 24/7.
You can also report your Current Account Debit Card lost or stolen by calling Croí Laighean Credit Union on 1800 23 24 25.
Once your Current Account is opened you will receive a welcome letter from Croí Laighean Credit Union detailing your BIC and IBAN. You will need your IBAN to arrange to have your salary, benefits or other payments paid into your account and to set up payment of bills by direct debit etc.
Absolutely! Fill out our digital switcher form and we will look after the switch. You must be a member and have a current account with us to initiate the switch. Find out more by clicking here >
And, if you want to know why Credit Unions are better than banks, have a read here.
You can use your card anywhere in the world where the Mastercard Acceptance Mark is displayed. Foreign exchange fees and charges apply where the transaction is performed outside the Eurozone.
If you have queries about our current account, please click here for a full library of FAQs.
Absolutely, we have a special switcher rate available and Loan-to-value limits will not affect this rate. Our experts are available to discuss this in more detail.
You don’t need to be a member to discuss a mortgage with us, but you must be a member to apply for a mortgage. Joining is free and simple, to find out more, please visit our join us page.
Nope, you just need to be a member and hold our common bond to apply. Where you buy is up to you!
You can borrow up to €650,000 with a term of up to 35 years.
No, our mortgages are simple and transparent. Your Loan to Value (LTV) ratio will not affect the rate we offer.
At a minimum, you need to have saved 10% of the cost of the home (20% if you are not a first-time buyer). There are other fees and costs that must also be paid at the time of purchase, so you will need more than 10%. We are happy to advise you of such fees when you book a mortgage consultation.
Absolutely. By working in our common bond, you have satisfied the criteria for becoming a member.
As a not-for-profit, we use the interest we get from loans and mortgages to fund our local initiatives. For example, we may contribute €15,000 to local clubs and groups each year. In many cases, this funding is vital to keep the club running. Unlike a bank, when you borrow from us you are directly contributing to the local amenities in your community. Find out more about how a Credit Union differs from a bank here.
In the last 6 years, we have contributed over €600,000 locally, and as we grow, we will continue to do more. Please check out our Community page to find out more.
No, we only offer mortgages for a member’s primary principal residence.
Absolutely! Self-building is a little more complex than buying but our expert mortgage advisors are a wealth of knowledge and more than happy to assist.
Yes, we do! We base our decisions on your ability to repay, not what the computer says. The criteria for a self-employed mortgage are slightly different, but our experienced advisors will be delighted to help guide you.