Formerly known as UCIT (Ireland) Ltd., Community Finance (Ireland) is a subsidiary of Ulster Community Investment Trust Ltd (UCIT). The group was established in 1995 in response to decreasing grant support from government and the difficulties experienced by community organisations in accessing commercial loan facilities.

The organisation is neither a bank, nor affiliated to any Government Agency. It is the only  provider of Loan Finance to Community Based Entities in Ireland, affording the option of share ownership to all individuals and community groups on the island and an opportunity to become involved on its various boards.

Mission Statement / Aims & Objectives / Areas of Work
To develop and provide competitive, flexible and tailored lending, investment and business support to the third sector throughout Ireland.

To assist in job creation and the growth of the social economy in Ireland.

To contribute to self-sustainability of third sector organisations.

Community Finance (Ireland) is well known for its stance against the imposition of arrangement fees on loan finance to communities, as well as providing for an interest rate which serves to help shield community groups from full exposure to future ECB rate hikes. Loans advanced generally range from €30k - €500k. Clients to date include Community Centres, Community Owned Hospitals, Hotels and Shops, Muintir na Tire, Boardmatch Ireland, the Dunbrody Famine Ship, as well as numerous other sporting clubs, charities and Social Enterprises.

The group were to first to offer a Business Support Programme across the two jurisdictions on the island, exclusively to Community Enterprise, and as of 2017, are recognised as the first and only group to host an All-Island Social Enterprise Trade Show (2008).

As a registered charity, all profits generated by Community Finance (Ireland) are recycled for reinvestment into the community and social enterprise sector.