Swoboda Research Centre
Supporting credit unions in Ireland and Great Britain through research
Previously The Centre for Community Finance Europe (CFCFE) launched in 2017, the Centre changed its name in memory of its co-founder, first chair and driving force - Ralph Swoboda.
The Centre’s focus is on the practical realities of delivering financial services such as loans, savings and insurance on an ethical and socially beneficial basis to individuals and micro- to medium-sized enterprises. Our research addresses strategic and tactical/operational issues of sustainability, such as corporate governance, business strategy, product/service development and risk management.
The Centre undertakes research across Europe, informed by experience and knowledge from around the world, but aimed at local solutions.
The Centre also offers training and advisory services, delivering actionable guidance to organisations, practitioners and national and local government policymakers.
Who Do We Serve?” Credit Union Conference
Tuesday 23rd May 2023 10.00am-4.00pm
Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, Ireland
Social and economic change in Ireland over the last generation has been rapid. The country has more wealth than ever before, but also rising house prices, a growing population that is shifting to urban centres, and significant immigration from returning Irish citizens and people from the EU, Ukraine and around the world. Technology is changing how people interact, and how they engage with services. The previously longstanding homogeneity of Ireland is diminishing.
The mission of credit unions is to support members and their communities, so it is vital that they maintain their connections in this changing world, in terms of the products and services they offer and their communication. What do credit unions need to do to ensure they remain a key part of communities in the 2020s? Our speakers, from inside and outside the sector, will bring information, perspective and opinion to attendees looking to understand and succeed in this landscape.
This conference focuses on the situation in Ireland, but the discussion and principles will be of interest to British credit unions, where change is also pronounced and ensuring relevance across the community is also highly relevant, and credit unions from all jurisdictions will have valuable insights to share.
PDF of Conference information & agenda
Reflections: A different future for British credit unions
Jonathan Moore
This paper is part of Swoboda's Reflections series, which provides a platform for practitioners to share their experience, insights, and ideas with the credit union movement and its stakeholders.
In this paper, Jonathan Moore - ex-CEO of Stockport Credit Union - considers the challenging environment that credit unions are facing and the impact on credit unions' members.
For more of the Reflections series, click here
To download a copy of the paper, click here