Metamo will deliver improved service and products to First Choice’s 30,000 members

• Metamo represents a €10 million investment between Fexco and 16 credit unions
• Credit unions joining Metamo represent over 480,000 members
• Metamo will support credit union sustainability and improve efficiency
• Research and development of new products and services for credit unions, supporting them in offering a wider range of financial products to their members
• Establishing a central shared services hub to improve delivery capability for credit unions

4 July 2019: First Choice Credit Union is one of 16 of Ireland’s largest credit unions who have today announced a €10 million collaboration with Irish based, international financial technology company Fexco in the formation of a new joint venture to be named Metamo.

Metamo is a 50:50 joint venture between the 16 investing credit unions incorporated under the name MetaCU and Fexco, one of Ireland’s largest financial services companies. MetaCU credit unions represent over 480,000 members from across the country – including 30,000 from First Choice Credit Union – and combined assets of over €3billion (c.19% of the sector).

The primary objective of Metamo is to support credit union viability and sustainability through the provision of a more complete and modernised suite of financial products including enhanced lending capabilities. Metamo is also uniquely positioned to develop more efficient operating systems for First Choice in areas like process improvement, risk management and technology delivery.

Anne King, CEO of First Choice Credit Union said:

“This is an exciting day for First Choice Credit Union which I am convinced will allow us to provide an improved service and set of products to our members. First Choice Credit Union is an integral part of several communities around Mayo and becoming part of the Metamo joint venture will mean we can continue to meet our member’s needs into the future through a broader range of products and services via the delivery channels of their choice.”

Speaking about the launch of Metamo, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe TD, commented:

“Credit unions hold a unique and special standing as one of the most trusted brands in the country. They continue to provide invaluable services to local communities promoting financial inclusion. I am delighted to see collaboration within the sector that will support its continued viability and sustainability.  Members of all credit unions stand to benefit from the enhanced products and services, more efficient operations and improved service delivery that Metamo will provide. Collaborative efforts for the sector can come in many forms and I am encouraged by, and supportive of, the many projects designed to drive the sector forward, including the venture being launched by Metamo. I would like to congratulate the credit unions and Fexco on this initiative and to wish them every success into the future.”

The initial focus of the venture is on collaboration between Fexco and the investing credit unions to identify and develop products and solutions required by members. Metamo will offer these solutions to all other credit unions in the country who are not part of the joint venture in order to sustain the continued development of the sector.

Joe O’Toole, Chairperson of MetaCU – the entity comprising the 16 credit unions investing in Metamo – said:

“Metamo brings unprecedented scale to any previous sector initiative and signals a new and exciting development in the financial services industry. The company will deliver new income streams and improved processes for the investing credit unions and has the potential to transform the entire sector.

“We identified Fexco as our partner based on their familiarity with the sector, having provided foreign exchange services to credit unions for over 20 years. In addition, we will benefit from Fexco’s technical expertise and commercial delivery focus. For Metamo, Fexco is a natural fit.

“The multi-million euro investment by the credit unions and Fexco in the establishment of Metamo is a significant vote of confidence in the future of these credit unions.”

Denis McCarthy, CEO of Fexco commented:

“Participating in Metamo allows Fexco to leverage two of our key strengths; strategic investment and new product development. Like the credit unions, Fexco understands the value of supporting local communities, indeed we remain loyal to Killorglin where the company was first founded, employing approximately 1,000 staff there today. We enjoy a longstanding relationship with the credit union sector in Ireland having provided foreign exchange services to them for over two decades. I look forward to broadening the scope of that work through the establishment of Metamo which, through strong collaboration, will ultimately safeguard the sector while delivering better products for members.” 

Metamo is based in Kerry with offices in Dublin.   The company is currently actively recruiting its senior management team having appointed Neil Hosty as CEO in 2019. Neil has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services sector and has held various senior executive positions in the Irish and US banking sectors.

Credit unions are held in high regard by Irish consumers, providing the best customer experience in the country according to Amárach Research, and topping the 2018 Reptrak survey measuring the level of public trust in an organisation.*

More information is available at www.metamo.ie

MetaCU Member credit unions:

Name	County	Name	County
Altura	Wexford	Savvi	Dublin
Cara	Kerry	Skibbereen & Bandon	Cork
DubCo	Dublin & nationwide	St Canice’s	Kilkenny
First Choice	Mayo	St Francis Ennis	Clare
Killarney	Kerry	St Paul’s Garda	Nationwide
Limerick & District	Limerick	Synergy	Cork
Mallow	Cork	Thurles	Tipperary
People First	Laois/Kildare	Wexford	Wexford

ENDS

* Amarach Research on customer experience https://amarach.com/news-blog-articles/irelands-cx-champions-2017.html and Reptrak reputation survey https://thereputationsagency.ie/work/ireland-reptrak-2018

For more information contact:

Andrew Smith| Murray Consultants | +353876437693 | asmith@murraygroup.ie

About First Choice Credit Union

First Choice Credit Union was founded in May 1966, and today serves the needs of members across Mayo with branches in Castlebar, Balla, Ballyhaunis and Achill. First Choice is committed to providing quality financial services and dedicated to serving our members needs in an efficient and professional manner.

About Metamo

Founded in 2019, Metamo is a 50:50 joint venture between 16 of Ireland’s largest credit unions incorporated under the name MetaCU and Fexco, one of Ireland’s largest financial services companies. The primary objective of Metamo is to support credit union viability and sustainability through the provision of a more complete and modernised suite of financial products. Metamo will focus on 3 key areas:

• Product & Technology Development: Working in collaboration with Member Credit Unions, Metamo will develop and scale viable new products and services that will power the entire credit union sector.
• Access: Metamo will enable participating credit unions to access stronger collective bargaining power at market level.
• Expertise: Metamo will provide access to professional expertise and dynamic services enabling credit unions to meet the needs of their members. Services will be available to all credit unions wishing to avail of them.

Metamo is based in Kerry with offices in Dublin. The company is actively recruiting staff. More information is available at www.metamo.ie

About Fexco

Recognised as an established fintech organisation, Fexco employs over 2,300 people across its suite of companies headquartered in Killorglin, Co. Kerry located in the South West of Ireland.  Founded in 1981, Fexco now has operations in 29 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, North America and Latin America.

Fexco serves some of the world’s biggest brands across multiple industries, predominantly in the payments and FX sectors, through a wide range of innovative products and services including; Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), Multi Currency Pricing (MCP), Tax Free Shopping and Retail FX. Fexco also offers bespoke Managed Business Solutions and Outsourcing services as well as a full suite of payment management solutions through its Corporate Payments business.

Since inception, Fexco has been driven by an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. This ethos has brought the company to new regions and industries of growth, connecting customers with exciting new opportunities. Through its commitment to partnership and innovation, the company has built an international network of customers.

To find out more visit www.fexco.com