Loans to credit union members last year were up 5% from 2006, according to the annual report of the Irish League of Credit Unions.
Total loans were €7.3 billion, while savings were up 1.5% to €13.4 billion. The ILCU represents 521 credit unions in the Republic and Northern Ireland.
More than 78% of credit unions paid dividends of between 2% and 3.99% to members last year, while another 4% paid between 4% and 5.99%.
Average savings per member were €4,620 last year. The average credit union loan in the Republic was €8.150, up 1% on 2006. In Northern Ireland the average was 3% higher at £3,140.
