Tipperary's new Premier Credit Union launched in Roscrea

Pictured above at the cutting of the cake on a historic day in Roscrea, which celebrated the recent merger with Thurles and the launch of a new credit union name and brand - the Premier Credit Union. Pictured (l to r) are Dymphna Breen, Ena MacMahon, Amanda Ryan, Margaret Heffernan, Mary Crean and Brain King

Tipperary's new Premier Credit Union, the new name and brand for Thurles, Roscrea, Killenaule, and Urlingford Credit Union, was launched and celebrated with great fanfare and excitement on December 8 th last.

The new brand represents the credit union's integral connection with the communities of Thurles, Roscrea, Killenaule, Urlingford and their environs.

The brand identity is a more inclusive version of the traditional family and retains elements of the traditional credit union logo with the hands representing the wider movement.

Following an exciting morning in the Thurles office, attention swung back to the Roscrea office for the afternoon of the launch day.

MC for the great occasion was Brian King, the first CEO of Premier Credit Union. Brian thanked all the members, staff, management team, and volunteers for supporting the merger and the new brand.

Celebrating the launch of Premier Credit Union and the recent merger with Thurles in Roscrea are members, staff, volunteers, management team members, and special guests

On the merger side, Brian acknowledged the steering committee for the merger, which included himself, Toss Hayes, Sean Sherlock, Tom Noone, Ann Ryan, Breda Manton, Patsy Treacy, Pat McCabe Ena MacMahon, and Martha Hogan.

In terms of the new name and brand, Brian King said that a key deliverable of the project was to inject more energy into the credit union and a renewed focus on the product and service offering.

Brian king said that the credit union was in the process of updating its strategic plan.

That plan calls out key values around respect, leadership, innovation, and a commitment to the community and sustainability, which will help Premier Credit Union on its journey over the coming years to become its members' absolute preferred financial institution of choice.

Special guest Margaret Heffernan, the Vice-President of the Irish League Of Credit Unions, said she was thrilled to be asked to Roscrea to celebrate Roscrea’s role in the merger and the new brand. Margaret noted that Roscrea personnel could always be counted on for their support at regional and national levels and she complimented all the work that had gone into the launch.

Margaret reserved a special word of thanks for Brian King, who she said was trusted and admired throughout the credit union movement and will ensure that Premier Credit Union is kept in safe hands.

Margaret also noted the inspiring logo tagline for the credit union, 'Better Together' and wished Premier Credit Union every success in the future.

Also in attendance in Roscrea was Alan Moore, the CEO of the ILCU Foundation. The ILCU Foundation does much work to support credit unions in developing countries.

Alan acknowledged all the support the foundation has received from personnel in both Roscrea and Thurles over the years, which has been used to make a significant difference to the welfare of many people from the countries in which the foundation is trying to support.

The first Chairperson of Premier Credit Union, Amanda Ryan, thanked everyone involved in the launch day.

Amanda thanked all those who had taken time out of their busy schedule to be present in the credit union offices in Thurles and Roscrea for the launch, and Amanda reflected everyone’s thoughts when saying that she very much looked forward to an exciting future with Premier Credit Union.

In conclusion, Brian King thanked Dinny Quirke for providing wonderful entertainment throughout the launch day.

Brian also thanked his family, his wife Mairead, and son Finbarr for their support, particularly throughout the merger project, which proved to be a challenging process.

Brian noted that it was a significant day in the social history of the town and the credit union, and he wished everyone a happy Christmas and sincere best wishes for 2024.