Apply For Membership

"Find out all the information required to join Sandymount Credit Union"

Opening An Account?

In line with current legislation (Criminal Justice Act 1994) you must provide proof of identity with the following:

• A current Valid Passport or Driving Licence
• A recent Household Bill such as Phone or Electricity Bill
• Documentary proof of PPS number

Note: In exceptional circumstances an ML10 Identification Form may be accepted. This can be completed at your local Garda Station.

Membership Application

Download Membership Application Form (546.8kb) The membership application form is a PDF document and Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to the view it. Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded for free by clicking on the Get Acrobat Reader icon.

Membership of the Credit Union

Joining the credit union is easy. Once you are over 16 years of age and within the common bond, just apply for membership at one of our offices. There is a nominal entrance fee of €1.27 and you may start by purchasing shares in the credit union (€6.35). You should then continue to save regularly, even in small amounts, which will create the habit of saving, and add to the savings pool.

Every person who saves in the credit union is an owner, and has a say in its running. Each member has one vote, because as a democratic financial co-operative, the credit union is controlled by its members.

Benefits of Membership

Members of a credit union enjoy many benefits associated with their membership, including:

• Control over their own finances
• Encouragement and advice on a regular savings program
• Loan availability at relatively low rates of interest, which remain consistent even during times of economic turbulence
• Security of savings through the Credit Union’s Fidelity Bond and through the Irish League of Credit Unions’ Savings Protection Scheme
• Loan Protection and Life Savings Insurance, under most circumstances, at no direct cost to the member
• The confidence that the Credit Union has no hidden charges
• The knowledge that their own savings are being used in their own community, for provident and productive purposes

What is the common bond & why is it so important?

The common bond is the factor which unites the members of a credit union ~ it is what members have in common. Because of the common bond, all members have the good of their community at heart, they know and trust each other.

The common bond ensures that the savings of the members of the community are available to fellow members as loans. It also enables members to know each other and to make credit judgements on character and personal record rather than on commercial risk.

In Ireland the most common bonds are:

• Community bond ~ where all the members live, and in some cases work, in the locality.
• Occupational bond ~ where all the members are in the same profession or workplace.