The Ulster Federations success story continued
A credit union group has to
satisfy the Registrar for Credit Unions, from the
Department of Economic Development, that they have the
necessary abilities to be registered as a credit union.
Shaftesbury, which serves the Donegall Pass, Sandy Row,
Donegall Road and Lisburn Road areas of Belfast, in
November 1987 became the first registered credit union
member of the NFCU (Northern Ireland) which went
on to form the present Ulster Federation of Credit
Unions.
Next came No.5 District CU, whose registered office is
in Sandy Row Orange Hall.
From the outset the Orange Order has taken a very keen
interest in developing credit unions especially in isolated
and vulnerable areas. The next stage was to undertake
the enormous campaign to form Ulster credit unions
throughout the country.
Through the sheer hard work and efforts dedicated
volunteers who travelled the length and breadth of the land,
these new credit unions took off in a very big way.
Communities that had been denied credit unions rushed to
join and the movement spread like wildfire.
As the number of credit unions had now grown so large it
was decided to form the Northern Ireland Regional
Association of the NFCU, its first AGM was held in 1988
in the Conway Hotel. This growth did not come without
its problems. The Association was guided by a Main
Board, which was made up from a representative from
each member credit union.
This structure was now proving to be far too unwieldy.
It was therefore decided that zones be set up on a county
basis with Belfast being treated as a county. Each zone
would elect their own representatives to serve on the
Main Board.
An even more difficult decision had to be made.
The Association had now become stronger and larger
than the rest of the NFCU. In the interest of the Ulster
people the Association decided to organise their
own body and in 1995 formed the Ulster Federation of
Credit Unions.
The UFCU goes from strength to strength and in real terms
is the fastest growing community enterprise to be found in
Europe and it is an achievement that the Ulster British
people can be well proud of. Member credit unions can be found
from Londonderry to Kilkeel, from Castlederg to
Carrickfurgus and all points in between.
The headquarters of the UFCU are in Sandy Row,
Belfast, an area that is synonymous with the origins
of the UFCU and the aspirations of the Ulster people.
The future of the UFCU is assured and the future
looks exceedingly bright.
Ulster can proudly and
rightfully take its place in the worldwide family
of credit unions.
REGISTERED OFFICE
CREDIT UNION HOUSE
218 - 220 Kingway Dunmurry
BELFAST
BT17 9AE
TELE No: (028) 90301204 or (028) 90309994
e-mail: Ulster Federation
