Credit Unions Collaborating for Shared & Sustainable Success

CUSA (Credit Union Strategic Alliance) is a not-for-profit alliance of regulated Irish credit unions. It provides a structured way for credit unions to collaborate while each remains fully independent and locally focused.

Membership is open to credit unions that are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, support CUSA’s vision and values, and are committed to working openly with other credit unions. There is a once-off joining fee and an annual subscription. These support the delivery of shared services and projects, overseen by a dedicated Program Team. For full membership details, contact pm@cusa.ie or lesley@cusa.ie.

No. CUSA is not a representative body and does not replace or compete with any credit union representative organisations.

CUSA is a practical, working alliance where member credit unions come together voluntarily to collaborate on shared projects, improve services, reduce costs, and build operational strength.

CUSA exists to support credit unions not to fragment them by encouraging collaboration that helps credit unions remain independent, relevant, and sustainable.

Members, communities, staff, management and boards all benefit from the shared success that comes from credit unions working together in this way.

CUSA was established by credit unions that saw the benefit of working together. Many challenges and opportunities in the sector are shared — CUSA allows credit unions to address these collectively, efficiently, and in a way that supports stronger services for members.

CUSA supports collaboration across:

• Operations & Strategy
• Boards, Management, Staff & Community
• Regulatory and sectoral priorities like DORA preparation, Financial reporting, and ESG reporting
• Shared learning, resources, and training
• Fintech projects
• Exploring opportunities such as a Corporate Credit Union and collaborative lending
• Representing member interests at a sectoral level

CUSA expects member credit unions to:

• Actively participate in the work of the alliance this includes attending meetings, participating and contributing to relevant working groups, and sharing updates or input when needed.
• Share knowledge and experience with peers
• Support joint initiatives by engaging in agreed collaborative projects that benefit all members.
• Promote the values of CUSA including openness, fairness, mutual support, and community focus.
• Commit to the Members’ Charter by agreeing to CUSA’s purpose, vision, values and collaborative approach.
• Contribute time where possible, this might include board or staff input into committees, short-term projects, or sector working groups.
• Stay up to date on CUSA communications and activities and encourage staff and board to do the same.
• Pay the membership fee and joining fee as these cover shared services, project delivery, and administrative support.  CUSA works best when members contribute, collaborate, and stay connected.

CUSA operates on a one-member, one-vote basis. It has a board, sub-committees, and peer working groups. A clear governance structure and a member-approved charter guide how decisions are made. The alliance follows a practical collaboration model based on good governance and accountability. CUSA works to ISO 44001 accreditation standards, where authentic collaboration guide activities, decisions, and goal setting.

Staff and management participate in working groups and peer support networks across credit unions. Projects are designed and led by member needs. Training and shared resources focus on practical challenges identified by members.

CUSA uses the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to show how credit unions support financial inclusion, community development, decent work, and sustainability. It provides a common way to measure and communicate this impact.

Yes. CUSA engages with suppliers and partners who align with its values and goals. This may include joint procurement, service innovation, or shared delivery across the alliance.  Contact pm@cusa.ie or lesley@cusa.ie to find out more.

Not at all. CUSA fully recognises that mergers can be a positive and necessary option for some credit unions.

By collaborating through CUSA, credit unions can achieve many of the benefits of scale, such as reducing costs, innovating on services, exploring opportunities and sharing expertise, without giving up their independent and local connection to their communities.

CUSA gives credit unions choice: choosing to remain independent, work collaboratively, or merge if that is right for them.