First Choice Credit Union launches exciting new initiative for members

First Choice Credit Union, based the Market Square in Castlebar, is constantly looking at new ways to collaborate with the local community and give back to its ever-increasing membership.

Over the last number of weeks, the organisation has been working with local businesses on an opportunity which benefits both our membership and the local retail communities throughout its common bond area.

To this end, it has announced the launch a new member discount card – the Choice Card.

The Choice Card is a new member discount card which is available to all active members aged 16 and over.

Choice Card holders will be able to avail of great shopping discounts at participating businesses.

In turn, the credit union hopea that local businesses will benefit from our members shopping locally.

The full list of businesses and discounts available can be viewed on the credit union website at www.firstchoicecreditunion.ie.

Commenting on the launch of the Choice Card, Michael Boland, lending and business development manager First Choice Credit Union, said: “We currently have a membership of 29,000 and growing.

“We really want to encourage our members to shop locally, and to support indigenous, home-grown retail businesses. We look forward to welcoming further businesses to the Choice Card scheme over the coming months.”

In developing the Choice Card, First Choice Credit Union first approached Castlebar Chamber of Commerce to propose the idea. The response was fantastic and the initiative was fully supported from the outset.

John Mulroy, president of Castlebar Chamber of Commerce said: "I was approached by First Choice Credit Union and instantly thought the Choice Card was a great idea. We always try to encourage people to shop locally.

“It is extremely important to highlight the benefits to local communities of shopping local. It is only by shopping in our towns that we can ensure our towns stay alive and that importantly, we are in a position to provide and maintain local employment."

Shane Melia, marketing executive, First Choice Credit Union, added: “We see this as the start of a very positive initiative for both our members and the local community and we look forward to developing it further.”

If any businesses throughout our Common Bond area would like to participate in the Choice Card scheme, they can contact First Choice Credit Union on (094) 9022969 or email marketing@fccu.ie”.

Members of First Choice Credit Union can pick up their Choice Cards in any of their four branches – Achill, Balla, Ballyhaunis or Castlebar.

*Pictured are Bernard Hughes, The Connaught Telegraph; Linda Feeney, operations manager, First Choice Credit Union, Anne King, CEO First Choice Credit Union; Antoinette Starken, Roadstone Castlebar, and John Mulroy, president, Castlebar Chamber of Commerce.