LIA

Ready to take your pensions and retirement planning knowledge to specialist levels?

You can now enrol for LIA’s level 9 Retirement Planning micro-credential course, awarding the renowned Retirement Planner Adviser (RPA) designation.

- Delivered online
- 12 weeks, one live lecture per week
- Tuesdays, 6 – http://8.30pm
- Starts Tuesday, 01 September
- Delivered by industry expert James Skehan

Enrol now to set yourself apart as a trusted expert in retirement planning! https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0wbgvP0

Applications close 21 August, but early registration is strongly advised due to high demand.

New insights from The New Retirement Reality show that retirement readiness is already affecting the workplace.

77% of employers say financial problems are reducing productivity, while 63% would welcome external specialist support.
This points to a clear link between financial uncertainty and day‑to‑day performance.

For employers, this is not a future issue. It’s already shaping engagement, focus and workforce planning.

It also highlights an opportunity. With the right supports in place, organisations can help employees build confidence while improving outcomes at work.

As a frontline staff member in a Credit Union, could you confidently identify a suspicious transaction, fraudulent document or money mule activity?

Join us next Wednesday morning for another AML training session with specialist Rachel Power, in association with CUDA, designed specifically for staff working directly with Credit Union members.

You'll learn:

- The latest AML/CFT legislative and regulatory developments
- How to recognise suspicious transactions and fraudulent documentation
- The risks associated with money mule activity
- The day-to-day AML responsibilities of frontline staff

🗓️ Wednesday, 24 June | 10am – 12pm | Online
🎓2 hours CPD
💶 €35

Find out more and register now: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0w84Gh0

Closing out LIA’s Credit Union Forum 2026, Sinéad Cullen explored the connection between financial wellbeing, confidence and better decision-making.

Key themes included:

- The growing need to help people build financial confidence, not just financial knowledge
- The impact financial stress can have on wellbeing, productivity and decision-making
- The opportunity for Credit Unions to support members through education, guidance and empowerment

A thought-provoking session that challenged us to consider what the future role of Credit Unions could look like in helping members understand, not just access, money.

Cyber security took centre stage this afternoon at LIA’s Credit Union Forum 2026 as Detective Fran Hoban from the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau explored the growing cyber threats facing Credit Unions today.

Key takeaways included:

- The human factor remains one of the biggest cyber security risks
- Cyber criminals are increasingly using AI, social engineering and phishing techniques to target organisations
- Staff awareness, training and clear policies are critical lines of defence
- When it comes to cyber security, preparation and prevention are just as important as response

A highly practical session packed with real-world examples and actionable advice for strengthening cyber resilience.

A sincere thank you to Nostra, lead sponsor of LIA’s Credit Union Forum 2026.

We greatly appreciate their support in helping us bring together Credit Union professionals from across the country for a day of learning, discussion and networking focused on the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector today.

We are proud to partner with organisations that, like LIA, are committed to supporting and strengthening the Credit Union sector.

A change of pace at LIA’s Credit Union Forum 2026 as Alex Denning, professional GT racing driver, shared insights on Data Driven Decision Making and the lessons high-performance environments can offer Credit Unions.

Key takeaways included:

- Better decisions start with objective information rather than assumptions
- Data can reveal risks and opportunities that may not be visible through experience alone
- Small, informed decisions compound over time to drive long-term outcomes
- The real advantage comes not from collecting data, but from turning it into action

An engaging session that highlighted how the principles of high performance on the racetrack can also apply to decision-making, strategy and member outcomes.

How can Credit Unions harness AI while managing the risks? That was the focus of our panel discussion today at LIA's Credit Union Forum 2026, featuring Gary Melvin, Scott Wilkinson and David McNamara.

Key themes included:

- Where AI can deliver real value for Credit Unions
- The opportunities to enhance efficiency, member service and decision-making
- Understanding the risks around data protection, bias and regulatory compliance
- The importance of strong governance and oversight when adopting new technologies

An engaging and practical discussion on how Credit Unions can embrace innovation responsibly while continuing to put members first.

Our next session at LIA’s Credit Union Forum 2026 saw John Farrell from Payac provide an update on the latest developments in payments, current accounts and member services for Credit Unions.

Key highlights included:

- Progress in the rollout and development of full-service current accounts
- The importance of resilient payment infrastructure and 24/7 member support
- Ongoing innovation in payment services designed to enhance the member experience
- New initiatives, including youth-focused products, to support future member engagement

An insightful session on how evolving payment capabilities can help Credit Unions remain competitive while continuing to meet the changing needs of their members.

Next up at LIA’s Credit Union Forum, Barry Rojack provided an insightful overview of the upcoming Consumer Protection Code 2026 and what it means for Credit Unions.

Key takeaways included:

- The increasing focus on delivering and evidencing good member outcomes
- Embedding consumer protection considerations into strategy, governance and decision-making
- Supporting members in vulnerable circumstances through enhanced processes and protections
- The importance of preparing early and taking a structured approach to implementation

A timely and practical session on one of the most significant regulatory developments facing the Credit Union sector.