Committee for the Economy
Credit Unions (Amendment) Bill
The Credit Unions (Amendment) Bill was introduced to the Assembly by the Minister for the Economy on Monday 19 October 2026.
The Bill’s stated objective is to modernise credit union legislation in Northern Ireland, supporting the continued development of the sector and providing credit unions with a clearer and more flexible statutory framework within which to serve their members and communities. The Bill is described as:
- conferring or clarifying powers relating to the activities which credit unions may undertake, including specified financial activities, deferred shares, ancillary services and loan participation
- clarifying or amending arrangements relating to membership and governance, including minimum age requirements, admission of family members, remote meetings and the register of members and officers.
- amending other operational matters, including transfers of engagements, referrals between credit unions, the holding of land and the application of surplus.
- including regulating -making powers under the 1985 Order, together with general provisions on interpretation, commencement and short title.
Further information on the Bill can be found by following the links below:
Call for Evidence
Ordinarily the Committee would await the successful passage of the Bill at Second Stage prior to launching a call for evidence. However, owing to the constrained timescales and a heavy legislative scrutiny agenda, the Committee for the Economy agreed to undertake the unusual step of launching its call for evidence on the Bill early and prior to Second Stage.
The Committee’s decision in this regard should not be interpreted as either endorsement or opposition to the Credit Unions (Amendment) Bill.
The Committee is seeking views from stakeholders on the objectives, proposals and potential consequences of the Bill and would welcome your views and comments on its contents.
How to submit your views
The Committee has now launched its call for evidence, inviting you to have your say on the Bill's contents.
The consultation takes the form of an online survey, hosted on our Citizen Space website.
Your views will help to inform the Committee's consideration of the Bill and any recommendations it may suggest as it moves to the next stage of the legislative process.
Please find a link to the Credit Unions (Amendment) Bill survey below:
Alternatively the Committee would welcome a related written response in the format of a Microsoft Word document addressing any of the clauses of the Bill before noon on 4 December 2026 submitted to Committee.Economy@niassembly.gov.uk.
The closing date for the call for evidence is 4 December 2026.
If you have any questions or would like to request a different format for submitting your views, please get in touch using the contact details below.
Useful information
- View the current progress of the Bill and all related information
- Guide to submitting evidence to Assembly Committees in written or other formats
- Understanding a Bill: a guide for stakeholders
- Assembly Committees Privacy Notice
Quick Links
- Minutes of Proceedings relating to the Bill
- Minutes of Evidence (Official Report)
- Departmental Papers and Correspondence
- Other Papers
- Written Submissions
Contact us
If you have any queries or require any further information about the call for evidence or the Committee Stage of the Bill, please contact the Committee Clerk:
Peter McCallion
Room 349, Parliament Buildings,
Ballymiscaw,Stormont,
Belfast, BT4 3XX
Tel: (028) 905 21821
Email: Committee.Economy@niassembly.gov.uk
