DUBLIN, Ireland–Ireland’s credit unions have again been named by consumers as the most highly regarded brand in the country and the most trusted provider of financial services.
That’s according to the latest reputation study by The Reputations Agency, which measures the level of trust, respect, admiration and esteem the public has for 100 of the largest, most familiar, and most important organizations in Ireland, along with 25 other reputation indicators.
The top 10 companies regarded by the public in Ireland are:
1 - Credit unions
2 - Kellogg's
3 - Aldi
4 - Bord Bia
5 - Boots
6 - Tourism Ireland
7 - Toyota
8 - An Post
9 - Dublin Airport
10 -Kerry Group
"The trust that members place in their local credit union has been earned, and enhanced, by consistent actions that demonstrate a caring, understanding, people-focused approach,” said Charles Murphy, president of the Irish League of Credit Unions. “Credit union personnel take time to get to know their members and to understand their needs. Decisions are made at local level, in the best interest of the members of the credit union. Above all else, people feel valued and respected."
According to the study, this year's average reputation Pulse score was 66.0 compared to 64.4 in 2017, highlighting an increase in trust and confidence for organizations amongst the public. The study is based on the perceptions of 7,094 members of the public who completed the survey between January 5 and March 5, 2018.
Niamh Boyle, managing director with the Reputations Agency, said reputation scores rose in Ireland this year, while scores in major global markets such as the U.K. and U.S. declined for the first time since the end of the recession, with a growing crisis of trust globally, and organizations increasingly judged on aspects of morality and ethics. In Ireland, she said, positive economic indicators such as exports, GDP, FDI, wages, and consumer spending have helped to build trust, respect, esteem, and good feeling towards organizations.