Talking Credit Unions with Chris Smith
These podcasts aim to communicate topics of interest from the world of credit unions targeted at managers, directors and other activists within the world of credit unions. I'm a long term supporter of credit unions and have served on the board of directors of several credit unions. This is a not for profit venture and my time is donated pro-bono. I am constantly on the look-out for stories and topics of interest to credit unions especially, but not exclusively, in the UK and Ireland. Contact me: smithowls@gmail.com A contribution to my costs has been made by Swoboda Research Centre and I rely on them for additional distribution and inspiration.
Talking Credit Unions with Chris Smith
EDITION 25 - Do credit unions alleviate poverty?
The purpose of credit unions is obvious, isn’t it? Well, isn’t it?
One of the perceptions about credit unions is that they ‘alleviate poverty’ and I guess many within the Irish & UK credit union movement will accept that perception. I suspect that banks are not perceived as alleviating poverty, by the general public or even bank workers.
So, do credit unions alleviate poverty?
I spoke to three well known experienced credit union people; Paul Jones, Eileen Halligan & Des Morrisey and put this question to them. I started with Dr Paul A. Jones, Director of Research at CFCFE, who is also Reader in the Social Economy at Liverpool John Moores University, where he heads up the Research Unit for Financial Inclusion.
I then spoke with Eileen Halligan, CEO & Secretary at Central Liverpool Credit Union. A well established credit union with over 16,000 members with three branches.
Finally, I got the views of Des Morrisey, the former, CEO of Tallaght Credit Union in Ireland. A 35 year old credit union with 17, 000 members, with over EU65m in assets.
Talking Credit Unions with Chris Smith is a regular podcast dedicated to informing credit union practitioners, leaders and opinion formers on variety of industry topics. To contact Chris Smith, smithowls@gmail.com