On the Road with Comhar Linn: Conversations, Connections and a Warm Welcome

A Warm Welcome Everywhere We Went

As another school year begins, we’re reflecting on a busy and rewarding year spent on the road meeting teachers across Ireland.

Over the past year, we visited more than 50 schools nationwide. Each school was different, but everywhere we went we received the same warm welcome from teachers and principals.

We had the privilege of meeting hundreds of teachers along the way, each with their own questions, experiences and stories to share. One of the things we love most about our school visits is how informal they are. We arrive armed with our Comhar Linn goodie bags, packed with planners, pens and a few treats for the staffroom. There is usually a cup of tea, plenty of chat and often a few laughs along the way. Most importantly, it’s an opportunity for teachers to ask questions in a relaxed and comfortable setting.

Whether someone has been a member for years or is hearing about Comhar Linn for the very fi rst time, our goal is always the same: to listen, provide support and help people understand the services available to them. And what a year it has been.

Following our visits and conversations with teachers around the country, we were delighted to welcome more than 1,000 new members to Comhar Linn this year. It has been fantastic to see so many teachers choosing to join a fi nancial community built specifically for the education sector.

What stood out most during our visits was how many teachers were looking for a fi nancial provider that truly understood the unique realities of teaching. They wanted a service that understood the teaching profession, offered practical support and treated them as individuals rather than account numbers. While every school visit is different, certain topics came up again and again.

Services Teachers Asked About Most
One service that consistently caught people’s attention was our Budget Account. Once teachers learned how it could help them manage regular household bills and planned expenses throughout the year, the reaction was often the same.“It’s a no-brainer,” one teacher told us.

For many members, the Budget Account removes some of the stress from managing larger annual costs by spreading payments throughout the year in a simple and manageable way. We found that once people understood how the service worked, they were keen to learn more. Another area that generated plenty of interest was our Minor Account.

Many parents told us they wanted to start building good saving habits for their children from an early age. They particularly appreciated that parents retain control of the account until the child reaches 16 years of age. Parents were also delighted to discover that they can use Deduction at Source to make regular contributions directly into their child’s account.

For many families, this provides a simple and consistent way to build savings over time while helping children develop positive financial habits from an early age. Of course, no conversation about Comhar Linn would be complete without mentioning one of our most popular services: Deduction at Source.

Time and time again, teachers told us that this simple service had become a cornerstone of their financial wellbeing. By saving or repaying a loan before the money reaches their current account, members can budget with confidence and build healthy financial habits without having to think about it every month. In fact, there have been occasions when members have shared stories so meaningful that they left a lasting impression on us. More than once, we have received a hug from a grateful member who explained how Deduction at Source helped them stay on track financially when life became difficult. Moments like these remind us why we do what we do.

While questions about loans, savings and accounts are always part of the conversation, our visits often become much more than that. We hear stories about first homes, growing families, retirement plans and career milestones. Being trusted with those stories is a privilege and one that never gets old.

The Value of Personal Service

One message came through loud and clear during our travels: people value personal service.

Time and again, members spoke warmly about being able to pick up the phone and connect with someone who was ready to listen and help. Whether it was assistance with an account, support with an application or simply taking the time to explain something clearly, teachers consistently spoke about the care and attention they receive from the Comhar Linn team.

Looking Ahead
As we begin another school year, we would like to thank every school that welcomed us through their doors over the past 12 months. The tea, the chats, the questions and the stories all helped make our journeys around Ireland so memorable.

If your school has not yet had a visit from Comhar Linn and you would like us to call in during the year ahead, we would be delighted to hear from you. Whether you’re a long-standing member, completely new to Comhar Linn or simply curious about the services available, we’d love the opportunity to meet you and your colleagues.

You can arrange a visit by contacting us at Marketing@intocreditunion.ie.

Until then, we wish you all a happy, successful and rewarding school year. We look forward to meeting many more teachers and continuing to support the wonderful education community we are proud to serve.

Marian & Nikki
Comhar Linn INTO Credit Union