1980’s "Growth for the Credit Union" The 1980s opened on a more optimistic note and under the presidency of Gerry Cullen and the infusion of some new and talented volunteer directors, Coolock Artane Credit Union entered a new phase in its growth. In 1981 the total shares amounted to £0.5 million and Jack Byrne recalls their ambition to double this to the magic £1 million which, through a variety of campaigns, they achieved by 1985.

This watershed seemed to do the trick. The cash was now there to meet loans which in turn resulted in increased savings and a huge increase in business and membership.

In 1982, the first stand-alone computer was installed in the Gracefield Road office. By the next year these outdated premises had been rebuilt and modernised. Through internal reorganisation greater efficiencies were achieved. Loan applications, which had previously taken up to six weeks for approval, were now usually dispatched within one week. The very low salaries of the full and part-time staff were brought in line with the norms of the day and opening hours for members were extended to cover six days with late opening on Thursdays. Northside was extended in 1990. One full-time and five part-time staff in 1981 grew to 15 full-timers by 1992.