‘No silver bullet’ for credit unions and is there a dip in house prices coming?

Business Today: the best news, analysis and comment from The Irish Times business desk

Pilita Clark says that It is hard to imagine anything changing in the world of bonus payments. The idea of paying for performance is deeply ingrained. But what if that concept is flawed?
Pilita Clark says that It is hard to imagine anything changing in the world of bonus payments. The idea of paying for performance is deeply ingrained. But what if that concept is flawed?

Minister of State with responsibility for financial services Seán Fleming said the planned credit unions legislation he is working on contains "no silver bullet" for a movement weighed down by excess deposits and muted lending, and that it is mainly up to the sector to help itself. Joe Brennan has the details.

Eoin Burke-Kennedy, in his weekly column, argues that the Covid-induced surge in house prices has reached tipping point as higher living costs and higher interest rates now likely to act as a restraint on buyers.

Centra is seeing customers gravitate increasingly to its cheaper "own-brand" products to cut costs amid rising inflation, after the convenience retailer posted a 2.5 per cent increase in sales last year to €1.98 billion, according to its managing director, Ian Allan. Joe Brennan reports.

Pilita Clark says that It is hard to imagine anything changing in the world of bonus payments. The idea of paying for performance is deeply ingrained. But what if that concept is flawed?

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Most Irish consumers believe the culture of banks haves not improved since the financial crisis, according to a new survey carried out for the Department of Finance as it continues a review into the future of banking in the State, writes Joe Brennan.

Danny McCoy, chief executive of Ibec says that despite the fact that the Irish economy is in a good place the increasing cost pressures on business need to be carefully watched.

Information on individual Irish internet uses, from their locations to what they are reading online, are being exposed to advertisers and data companies an average of 392 times a day, according to figures compiled by the Irish Council of Civil Liberties. Joe Brennan reports.

Cork-based Keelvar has raised $24 million (€23 million) in a Series B funding round that will help the company simplify procurement and further its growth in the US. Ciara O'Brien reports.

Grid Finance, a cash-advance lender to micro and small businesses, has secured a ¤100 million funding line from UK alternative asset manager Fasanara Capital as it targets expansion over the coming years, writes Joe Brennan

With rampant inflation, rising interest rates and the continuing war in Ukraine, warnings about the potential for a global economic downturn are getting louder by the day. On our Inside Business podcast Ciarán Hancock talks to Irish Times writer Cliff Taylor and Washington Correspondent Martin Wall and ask are we heading for a worldwide recession?

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Conn Ó Midheach

Conn Ó Midheach

Conn O Midheach is Assistant Business Editor - Digital of The Irish Times