Central Bank of Ireland: Key Supervisory Priorities for Credit Unions in 2026

The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) has published its 2026 Regulatory & Supervisory Outlook (2026 Outlook) outlining the key risks across the financial system and the supervisory priorities that will guide its work in the year ahead.  We highlight some of the key cross-sectoral supervisory priorities from the 2026 Outlook here including: 

• Resilience under pressure; 

• Consumer and Investor protection; 

• Technology and digital change; 

• Climate and the long-view; and 

• What this means for firms. 

In relation to Credit Unions, supervisory priorities in 2026 include: 

Financial resilience: Reserves and liquidity across the sector remain strong; however, low loan-to-asset ratios continue to present a longer-term sustainability concern.  Credit unions availing of the expanded house and business lending framework are expected to do so gradually and prudently.  The Central Bank will continue to closely monitor liquidity and asset and liability management (ALM) across the sector.  

Business model and strategy: Credit unions are expected to demonstrate progress on digitalisation and sectoral collaboration. Consolidation in the sector, including through transfer of engagements, continues to be encouraged.  The Central Bank will progress a regulatory framework for shared service organisations during 2026 and begin policy formulation for corporate credit unions.  

Consumer protection, risk management and governance: The revised Consumer Protection Code (CPC) comes into effect in March 2026.  The 2026 Outlook notes that the consultation paper on applying the CPC to all regulated credit union activities (CP165) closes in March 2026, with regulations intended to be published by the end of Q3 2026.   

In advance of this, the Central Bank expects credit unions to manage conduct risk effectively and demonstrate that members’ interests are protected, while ensuring that risk management frameworks, control environments and operational capabilities continue to mature in line with their product and service offerings and the wider risk environment. 

How EisnerAmper Ireland can help

EisnerAmper Ireland’s Governance Risk and Compliance team works with regulated firms at every stage of the regulatory lifecycle, from authorisation through to ongoing supervisory engagement.  We closely monitor regulatory developments, including the Central Bank’s annual Regulatory and Supervisory Outlook, as part of our commitment to ensuring clients remain informed, prepared and resilient.  

If you would like to discuss how the 2026 supervisory priorities impact your firm, please get in touch.

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