Minister Paschal Donohoe meets with Ms. Catherine Collins following her appointment as Credit Reviewer

Following her appointment by Government, Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe TD, on Monday 20 September met with the new Credit Reviewer, Ms. Catherine Collins (head of Credit Review) and the outgoing Credit Reviewer, Mr John Trethowan.

The Credit Reviewer role was established in 2010 and its key function is to examine credit decisions for SME or farm borrowers who have had an application for credit of up to €3 million declined or reduced by participating banks (currently AIB, BOI, PTSB and Ulster Bank), and who feel that they have a viable business proposition. While the Credit Reviewer cannot instruct a participating institution to provide credit, most of the cases Credit Review has supported were approved credit.

Catherine has been the Deputy Credit Reviewer at Credit Review since its establishment in 2010, working with over 1200 SME’s and farms who had difficulty accessing bank credit. Catherine previously worked for over 20 years in the areas of finance, business development and investment, in both the private and public sectors. She is a qualified accountant, investment analyst and graduate of TCD.

Following the meeting, Minister for Finance Mr Paschal Donohoe TD stated:

“I am delighted to meet with Catherine following her appointment as Credit Reviewer. Catherine has a wealth of experience and knowledge from her time in Credit Review that she will bring to her new role. During her time in Credit Review she has demonstrated her clear commitment to ensuring that viable SMEs are able to access the credit that they need.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing Credit Reviewer, Mr John Trethowan for his years of service to Credit Review.”