Savings

Credit Unions in the Republic of Ireland are covered up to €100,000 by the Government Deposit Protection Scheme which is administered by the Central Bank of Ireland. This is a scheme that can provide compensation to depositors if a credit institution is forced to go out of business. It covers deposits held with banks, building societies, and credit unions. Please see the Central Bank of Ireland's website for further information.
In addition to this, the Savings Protection Scheme (SPS) owned and operated by the Irish League of Credit Unions is also available to proactively intervene to protect members' savings by making available financial assistance to help any credit union which may experience difficulties.
Also, members’ savings are insured through Life Savings Insurance (subject to certain terms and conditions). For more details, visit the Insurance section.

Every share you hold with Synergy Credit Union Ltd. for the year is eligible for a dividend when declared. A dividend is the return on your shares, and it is paid by your credit union out of surplus.*

The amount of your dividend will depend on:

• The amount of shares you have saved (one share is equal to €1)
• The surplus income available for distribution by your credit union to members.

You can open an account and apply for a loan with as little as €6 in your account

There is no limit to how much of your funds you can withdraw from either your Share or Service accounts. However, a daily maximum cash withdrawal of €2,000 applies. If your needs exceed the daily maximum cash withdrawal of €2,000, you might consider an EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer). We have access to the Bank Clearing System, which means we can perform an EFT to any Euro-designated bank account across the SEPA payments area.
Savings in the Service account are always available for withdrawal unless you have pledged them against a loan. You will be informed of this when applying for and drawing down a loan.

Under Credit Union Rule 22 (now amended to Rule 19) if your account becomes inactive for 3 years, it will become a dormant account.
Make sure to keep your account active by conducting regular transactions.
The account maybe reactivated by conducting transactions and supporting it with photographic I.D. e.g., passport/drivers licence/birth certificate for children and confirmation of address (not more than 3 months old) e.g., utility bill/revenue documentation.

If you have completed a Nomination Form, your nominee/s will receive your Credit Union Shares and insurance benefits (if any) up to €27,000 when you die.

You can nominate anyone, family or friend or group of people. it is important that you review your Nomination Form regularly. Ask a member of staff if you have a nomination form attached to your account and who the beneficiaries are.

Yes, by filling in a new Nomination Form. You will need two witnesses to sign the form with you. A nomination becomes invalid if you get married or the person that has been nominated dies. It is a good idea therefore to review your nomination form from time to time in order to ensure that the person/s nominated is/are the most appropriate. Note, divorce or legal separation will not revoke a nomination.

Yes, a member of staff will be delighted to confirm whether you have completed a nomination and who your nominee is.

If you joined as a child you would not have had a Nomination Form completed. Once you reach the age of 16 you should fill out a Nomination Form.

You can call into any of our branches in Fermoy, Watergrasshill or Cork City and complete a Nomination Form at any time.

Personal account holders in Synergy Credit Union are entitled to nominate a person/s to be the beneficiary of their credit union savings following death.

Under credit union rules it is important to note the following:

1. A nomination must be in writing and witnessed by two persons.
2. The statutory maximum amount that can pass under a nomination is currently €27,000. Any amount in excess of this will form part of the deceased member’s estate.
3. For members that elect not to complete a nomination, the proceeds of their account will form part of their estate on death and will be dealt with under the terms of their Will, under the rules of intestacy if there is no Will, or under the small payments provision.*
4. Members may revoke or vary a nomination at any time by completing a new nomination form.
5. A nomination is not revocable or variable by the terms of a Will or by a codicil to a Will.
6. A nomination is automatically revoked when the nominee dies before the account holder. In this case, a new nomination should be completed.
7. A nomination is automatically revoked by the account holder’s subsequent marriage.
8. Where personal circumstances change (e.g., marriage, divorce, separation), a member should review their nomination.
9. The nominated property does not form part of a deceased person’s estate. A person under 16 years of age cannot make a valid nomination.