RBK Publish Credit Union Benchmarking Report 2026

Credit Unions have delivered another year of measurable financial progress, with dividend payments reaching their highest level in recent years and loan book growth continuing for the fourth consecutive year, according to RBK’s 14th Annual Credit Union Benchmarking Report. The report summarises the findings of a survey of Credit Unions undertaken in February/March 2026.

2025 saw the Central Bank revise lending concentration limits, opening new capacity for house and business credit. Return on assets continued to improve, reflecting the impact of a higher interest rate environment and improved cost management. Bad debt provisions eased further, and reserve ratios remain well in excess of the regulatory minimum.

Three out of four Credit Unions paid a dividend to members in 2025, up from 62% in 2024 and just 18% in 2023. Investment returns have nearly trebled since 2022, while wages-to-income and cost-to-income ratios have continued to improve.

Commenting on this year’s report, RBK Partner Ronan Kilbane said:

“The fourth consecutive year of growth in the Loan to Asset Ratio, a near-trebling of investment performance since 2022, and an acceleration in dividend payments all point to measurable progress across the main financial metrics. That improvement reflects both the discipline of recent years and the benefits of a higher interest rate environment.”

“However, the demands on Boards and management teams have never been greater. The Central Bank has set clear expectations around lending growth, operational resilience, IT governance, and climate risk, while the revisions to concentration limits for house and business lending open up new growth opportunities.”

“At the same time, skills shortages and the unfinished work of operational resilience are live issues for much of the sector. Credit Unions are making progress on many fronts but cannot afford complacency. The pace of change required across technology, people, governance and lending shows no sign of slowing.”

Key Findings

• Dividends: Three out of four Credit Unions paid a dividend to members last year, up from 62% in 2024 and just 18% in 2023.
• Loan Book: Home improvement loans and car loans remain the fastest growing loan categories, with mortgage lending also on the increase.
• Bad Debts: Provision levels eased in 2025, reflecting improved arrears levels and higher quality lending.
• Investment Performance: Investment returns have nearly trebled since 2022, underpinned by a sustained higher interest rate environment.
• Costs: The average cost-to-income ratio of 72% remains substantially above that of the main retail banks, highlighting continued scope for efficiency improvement.
• Performance Management: Four out of ten Credit Unions now link remuneration progression to performance measured against KPIs.
• Human Resources: Skills shortages remain the primary hiring challenge, followed by salary competitiveness.
• Operational Resilience: Considerable progress has been made though testing of recovery procedures and response capabilities continues to be a barrier to full implementation.
• Cybersecurity: With the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) taking effect from January 2028, the window to build the necessary oversight frameworks and controls is narrowing.
• ESG and Climate Risk: Formal ESG policies are being more widely adopted. Translating this policy commitment into measurement and reporting remains a work in progress.

Download the RBK Credit Union Benchmarking Report 2026 here.