Credit unions have earned the number one spot for the best customer experience in Ireland again. Malahide Credit Union joins 270 other credit unions across the Republic of Ireland in topping the 2017 CXi Ireland Customer Experience League Table for the third year in a row.
The annual survey, carried out by Amárach Research for CXi, asks consumers to rate their experiences of 170 brands across 10 different sectors. Over 42,000 customer experiences were evaluated and credit unions again emerged as the overall winners, being rated highest for integrity, empathy and for the commitment of their staff. They were also singled out for the powerful bond forged with members – and the fact that the relationship with members was built completely on trust.
The CXi noted in its report that the products and services offered by credit unions are designed with the needs of their specific membership in mind, and said that credit unions were ‘the perfect example’ of organisations that ‘genuinely care’ about their members. The report also said that trust is a hugely important factor in the rankings, and that credit unions are one of Ireland’s ‘most trusted brands.’
There was a notable gap in the performance between credit unions and the banks. The highest ranking banks were Ulster Bank and AIB in 89th place.
Commenting on the great achievement by credit unions, Head of Marketing and Communications with the Irish League of Credit Unions, Emmet Oliver said: “Our members are our number one priority and each and every credit union endeavours at all times to deliver the highest possible standard of service for them. Credit unions are different from other financial institutions, not just because we are not-for-profit, but because decisions are made at a local level, allowing credit unions a good deal of flexibility to provide services that are tailored to the individual needs of members.”
