Clann Credo is a charity that works with and lends finance to community focused groups that are delivering a positive social impact in their community . The organisation is committed to offering community organisations lower interest rates and a more flexible approach than traditional loan financing and has provided over €218m in finance since it was established in 1996, supporting more than 1,600 community organisations during this time.

Clann Credo offers borrowers advice and social finance on terms that may not be available to them elsewhere. The lender does not seek personal guarantees and assesses projects against social impact in addition to the capacity of the borrower to repay a loan. The advice Clann Credo offers also extends to providing information on the financial sustainability of projects.

The organisation’s bridging loans are essential for community groups and charities, providing cashflow for projects that have grant approval, but need to be completed before funding is issued. Terms loans are particularly useful for communities seeking to purchase assets such as land and property in response to a growing demand for their services.

The cut in interest rates comes as Clann Credo’s loan book now amounts to €53.3m, an increase of 5.75% on its 2024 opening position of €50.4m. The organisation has over 700 customers and forecasts €38m in new loan offers in 2025.

Mary Lawlor, Chief Executive of Clann Credo said:

“We are pleased to announce our lower interest rates, which will be of benefit to both existing and new borrowers. At Clann Credo, we are the largest social finance provider in the country, and the loans we issue assist community groups, charities, and social enterprises to deliver sustainable projects and services for the benefit of current and future generations. The feedback from our customers is that our ability to form meaningful relationships with community organisations and our understanding of the rhythm of community development sets us apart.”

She added:

“Our loan book increased in 2024 and now totals €53.3m. We plan to lend to more community projects this year and lower wholesale capital costs will assist us in achieving this”