John Duffy steps down from BK Credit Union after 19 years

The pace of life has changed for John Duffy after he recently stepped away as CEO of Ballyshannon-Killybegs Credit Union after 19 years at the helm.

The Ballybofey man joined Ballyshannon Credit Union as CEO in 2006 and much has changed in the intervening years with amalgamations initially with Pettigo and then with Killybegs, which also included Ardara and Glenties.

For now it’s back to a bit of farming, gardening and cycling “if you can call that relaxing” laughs Duffy.

But he is happy to step away. “The whole responsibility falls on the CEO. I enjoyed it while I was doing it but there comes a stage. Everyone has their day and it’s time now to move it on and I’m happy there are good people there,” says Duffy.

The Ballybofey native started his work career with the Post Office, firstly in Dublin before moving back to Donegal where he spent some time in Lifford.

Then in 2006 he applied for the position in Ballyshannon Credit Union and the rest is history. “There were only a couple of part-time staff in Ballyshannon at the time. The Credit Committee met on a Friday evening and there were volunteer directors.

“It moved on then and a lot of Credit Unions were going in that direction,” says Duffy, who agreed that the introduction of new legislation had a major influence on how business was done. “Maybe in 2012, ‘13 was when the financial regulator and new legislation was introduced, which made a lot of things better; more compliance. It was good for the sector.”

It was around this time, too, that the first of the amalgamations took place with Pettigo joining Ballyshannon.

“First of all Pettigo approached the Board in 2013. The volunteer staff and directors were finding it difficult so they joined us in 2013 and that was a good day’s work for them and us. And there’s still an office in Pettigo now,” said Duffy, who added that many smaller Credit Unions were following that route as otherwise they might go out of business “because of the difficulty of getting volunteers.”

Three years later in 2016 saw the amalgamation of Ballyshannon and Killybegs, which was a much bigger move.

“That was the merging of two Credit Unions of equal size; both were looking to move things along and provide better services. You had Killybegs, Ardara and Glenties and then Ballyshannon and Pettigo, so that was five offices coming together.

“We saw it as a benefit for members providing new services, new buildings, and more staff. It was a help to a lot of people. There’s 20 employed now between the five branches.

“Things have moved on. Back in ‘06 you were talking about savings and loans; now you are talking about online banking, mobile apps, mortgages since 2014. Then you have debit cards and current accounts. It has moved things on for Credit Unions.

“Members can now avail of all their financial services in the Credit Union.”

Certainly the job that John Duffy took on in 2006 in Ballyshannon was a much bigger gig when he left in August of this year.

“No job says the same. There were some great improvements with a brand new building in Killybegs; taking over the Ulster Bank building in Ardara; renting offices in Glenties and Pettigo.

“Every office now has privacy for members and staff. Even though we have online apps and a lot of business conducted online, there’s still a demand for the office and the human touch. We wanted to promote that too and we wanted people to come into the office; that friendly thing, like a social event for people.”

It has been a very important amalgamation in modern terms as there are no banks now in Ardara, Glenties, Pettigo or Bundoran.

“We’re there to stay. I’m still saying we; I’ll have to get out of that habit,” laughs Duffy.

“I’m happy with my lot and the new CEO, Joe Bonner and all his staff. Joe was with us prior to his appointment and he also has experience of working with the Credit Union in Ballybofey and Stranorlar and Inishowen. I’m very confident and happy to hand over the reins to him. He also has good people around him.

“Whatever it is about the Credit Union, it attracts people and it gets into their blood and they want to do their best for members.”

Outside of work Duffy will get time to enjoy watching sport. He was a very enthusiastic player with Ballybofey United and he maintains a big interest in all sports. He didn’t get to the All-Ireland final this year due to a knee issue but was a little disappointed with the outcome. “I think we’re better than that. I felt we were a little bit overawed in the final.”

He says watching his favourite Man Utd “is a hard watch at the moment but I wouldn’t take it too seriously. At the end of the day it’s sport.”

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Towards the end of August the directors and staff of BK Credit Union gathered in Dorrian’s Hotel, Ballyshannon to mark John Duffy’s retirement; the week previous the President of the Irish League of Credit Unions visited him in the Ballyshannon office.

“We had a great night in Ballyshannon and I can only thank the great directors all down through the years. It’s a collective with the Board and staff.  To have a good board that is innovative and works with you and can see the future is a great help too,” said Duffy.

John and Margo Duffy, pictured with Brendan Jenkins (ILCU President)