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  • Helping Families Navigate Back-to-School Costs
Helping Families Navigate Back-to-School Costs

14 August 2025

Helping Families Navigate Back-to-School Costs

At People First Credit Union, we understand these hardships first-hand. As a member-owned, community-focused institution, our mission is clear: putting people first, not profits. That’s why we’re proud to offer a practical, transparent and affordable solution to help families manage back-to-school expenses—at the same rate as our Student Loan.

Back-To-School Loan= Same Great Rate as Student Loan

  • Our Student Loan comes with a low 6.5 % interest rate (6.7 % representative APR).

  • We're offering our Back-to-School Loan at that very same low rate, ensuring families access the same favorable borrowing terms normally reserved for third-level education.

Personalized Flexible Support

  • Tailored repayment schedules are available to suit your individual needs and budget.

  • Our local branch teams are ready to help with budgeting advice and financial planning.

Empowering Financial Education

We equip members with resources to ease the back-to-school burden, including tips like opting for generic uniforms, buying second-hand books, and avoiding unnecessary extras.

Student with colouring pencils and school books

As a member of People First Credit Union, you’re more than a customer—you’re part of our community. We understand the stress families face when they skip essential items or go into debt just to get through September.

That’s why our approach is rooted in compassion, affordability, and real support—because every child deserves a great start to the school year, and every family deserves peace of mind.

For more details on our Student Loan or if you'd like to speak with a representative, click here or contact your local branch.

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Helping Families Navigate Back-to-School Costs

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Portlaoise Branch

Address:
Head Office James Fintan Lalor Avenue, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, Ireland, R32 XE18
Tel:
057 862 2594
Email:
info@peoplefirstcu.ie
Web:
www.peoplefirstcu.ie
Latitude:
53.0316443
Longitude:
-7.2995889
We're Open:
Tuesday 09:15 - 17:00
Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:15 - 17:00
Friday 09:15 - 18:00
Saturday 09:15 - 13:00

Abbeyleix Branch

Address:
Credit Union House Main Street, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, Ireland, R32 XHH0
Tel:
057 862 2594
Email:
info@peoplefirstcu.ie
Web:
www.peoplefirstcu.ie
Latitude:
52.9120133
Longitude:
-7.3521341
We're Open:
Tuesday 09:15 - 17:00 *
Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00 *
Thursday 09:15 - 17.00 *
Friday 09:15 - 18:00
Saturday 09:15 - 12:45

Closed for lunch Tuesday - Thursday from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm.
Open through lunch on Friday.

Athy Branch

Address:
13-14 Emily Square, Athy, Co. Kildare, Ireland, R14 XV40
Tel:
057 862 2594
Email:
info@peoplefirstcu.ie
Web:
www.peoplefirstcu.ie
Latitude:
52.9912234
Longitude:
-6.9852183
We're Open:
Monday 09:30 - 17:00 *
Tuesday 09:30 - 17:00 *
Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00 *
Thursday 09:30 - 17:00 *
Friday 09:30 - 18:00

Closed for lunch Monday - Thursday from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm.
Open through lunch on Friday.

Stradbally Branch

Address:
Unit 2 SuperValu Shopping Centre, Stradbally, Co. Laois, Ireland, R32 KX94
Tel:
057 862 2594
Email:
info@peoplefirstcu.ie
Web:
www.peoplefirstcu.ie
Latitude:
53.017546
Longitude:
-7.150798
We're Open:
Tuesday 09:15 - 17:00 *
Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00 *
Thursday 09:15 - 17:00 *
Friday 09:15 - 18:00 *
Saturday 09:15 - 13:00

Closed for lunch Tuesday-Friday from 12.45pm to 1.30pm.

Loan Office opening hours ¦ Foreign Exchange opening hours

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People First Credit Union Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Reg No. 137CU

Loans are subject to approval. Terms & Conditions apply. If you do not meet the repayments on your loan, your account will go into arrears. This may affect your credit rating which may limit your ability to access credit in the future.

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