Saint Raphael's Garda Credit Union Limited

Saint Raphael’s Garda Credit Union Limited is a member-owned financial cooperative serving members of An Garda Síochána, retired members, eligible family, and certain staff within its defined common bond. It is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, and eligible deposits are protected under the Irish Deposit Guarantee Scheme up to €100,000 per person per institution. Members typically hold a share (savings) account, and any return (dividend or interest) is not guaranteed and depends on annual performance; savings limits may apply and can change. The credit union provides consumer lending to eligible members for purposes such as car purchase, home improvement, education, and general personal borrowing, with interest calculated on the reducing balance; approvals are subject to affordability assessments and credit checks, and lending activity is reported to the Central Credit Register. Repayments can be made through payroll deduction where available to Garda members or via direct debit/standing order. Applications may be completed in branch or through remote channels, with standard documentation requirements including proof of identity, address, income, and recent bank statements. Governance follows the credit union model with a member-elected board and decisions ratified at an annual general meeting. Constraints include a restricted field of membership and a product set that is narrower than a full-service bank; rates, fees, savings caps, and lending limits are set by the credit union and can change, so applicants and depositors should review the latest schedules before proceeding.