MFCU Lending Support Day: All you need to know

Whatever you want to borrow for, the hardest part is often just knowing where to start. Maybe you have a renovation in mind but you are not sure what you can afford. Maybe you want to understand your mortgage options before committing to anything. Or maybe you have a big financial decision coming up. In that case, you just want to talk it through with someone who actually knows their stuff.

That is exactly why we created MFCU Lending Support Day. On Saturday 18th April, our Artane branch will host a FREE, in-person event for all our members. Our lending experts will be on hand for one-to-one conversations across every major borrowing category. No pressure, no jargon, and no obligation. Just honest advice from people who are on your side.

What Is MFCU Lending Support Day?

MFCU Lending Support Day is a free, in-person event open to all Member First Credit Union members. At this event, you can sit together with our lending experts and explain your unique financial situations. As a result, you get real financial advice.

You can come with questions about any borrowing decision you have been thinking through. For example, this could be a home renovation loan, a mortgage, a car loan, an energy upgrade, big wedding celebration or something else entirely.

There is no single topic on the agenda. The day is built around whatever is on your mind. In fact, you can think of it as your chance to have the kind of conversation that usually takes weeks to arrange. You can enjoy this in a relaxed setting, on a Saturday morning, with no obligation attached.

Why Irish Borrowers Are Thinking Bigger Right Now

Research suggests, Irish households are borrowing more than ever before, and the reasons behind it are practical. According to the latest BPFI Personal Loans Report (Q3 2025), personal loan drawdowns across Ireland reached €776 million in the third quarter of 2025 alone.

That is the highest quarterly figure since reporting began in 2020. It covers every major borrowing category from home improvements to car finance to green energy upgrades.

That same report shows that Irish borrowers are not just borrowing more frequently, they are also borrowing with more intent. Average home improvement loan values grew 11.5% year on year. Green loan value jumped by over 31% meaning the focus is on making the home better place to live.

As per the report “Other loans” category which includes loans for education, holiday, wedding and other special occations makes up one third of drawdown value. This also suggests that people are spending more on making those occations grand and special.

So, if you have been wondering whether a loan makes sense for your situation, MFCU Lending Support Day is the place to find out.

What Can You Talk About on the Day?

Our lending team covers all major borrowing categories. Below is a quick overview of each, along with links to dedicated guides where you can read more before you come.

Home Improvement Loans

Thinking about an extension, a new kitchen, or a full refurbishment? Home improvement costs in Dublin can range widely depending on the scope of work. Because of this, knowing what you can realistically borrow before you start planning makes the whole process much smoother. Our team can walk you through what a home improvement loan could look like for your situation. They can also show what repayments might look like, and what the application process involves.

Mortgages

Whether you are a first-time buyer trying to get your head around the process, thinking about switching your current mortgage, or exploring a top-up on what you already have, our team can answer your questions. Mortgage decisions benefit enormously from a conversation early in the process. This is especially true before you are too far down the road with a specific property or lender.

Car Loans

Car finance is the most common personal loan category in Ireland. Whether you are buying new, used, electric, or hybrid, the way you structure your borrowing can make a significant difference to your monthly outgoings. Our team can help you understand your options. They will help you figure out what works for your budget.

Green and Energy Upgrade Loans

Solar panels, insulation, heat pumps, new windows. These are significant investments but they also reduce your energy bills over time and improve your home’s BER rating. The BPFI Q3 2025 report shows that green personal loan values jumped by over 31% year on year. This growth is driven in part by the Government’s Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme. Our team can help you understand what is available and how to fund an energy upgrade in the most sensible way.

Why Talk to a Credit Union and Not a Bank?

Member First Credit Union is not a bank. We are a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative, regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, and we have been serving the North Dublin community for over 50 years. We currently look after more than 107,000 members across five branches.

That structure matters when you are making a big financial decision. Our job is to help you find the right option for your situation. We are not driven by shareholder targets or sales quotas. When you sit down with one of our team at MFCU Lending Support Day, you get a straight conversation about what actually works for you.

We also make decisions quickly. Most loan applications receive a decision within 48 hours. Our personal loans are available from €1,000 to €75,000 with rates from 6.5% APR and terms of up to 10 years. If you want to understand what a loan could realistically look like for your circumstances, our team can give you a clear picture on the day.

How Does the Day Work?

The event runs from 9:30am to 1:30pm alongside normal branch operations at our Artane branch. You can arrive at any point during that window.

When you arrive, a member of our team will welcome you and connect you with one of our loan experts. The conversations are relaxed and informal. You do not need to have everything worked out in advance. In fact, part of what makes the day useful is that our team can help you figure out what questions you should even be asking.

Because places are limited, registration is required. It takes less than two minutes and it guarantees you time with one of our experts on the day.

Who Should Come to MFCU Lending Support Day?

The event is open to all Member First Credit Union members. It is particularly useful if you:

• Have a home renovation in mind but are not sure what you can afford
• Want to understand your mortgage options before talking to a broker
• Are planning to buy a car and want to understand your finance options
• Are considering energy upgrades like solar panels or insulation
• Have been turned down for a loan elsewhere and want to explore your options
• Want plain-English advice before making any financial commitment

If you are not yet a member, you can join online or visit any of our five North Dublin branches before the event.

Register for MFCU Lending Support Day

MFCU Lending Support Day takes place on Saturday 18th April at our Artane branch, from 9:30am to 1:30pm. Registration takes less than two minutes.

Ready to talk it through?
Register your interest for the MFCU Lending Support Day