WRC unable to investigate credit union discrimination complaint over notice requirement

The WRC found it was prohibited from investigating a customer’s complaint that a credit union discriminated against him over a car loan application. The decision was dated 23 March 2016; the merits were not decided. The customer said he was asked for six months of bank statements because of his nationality, while his Polish wife had not been asked for the same when applying for a loan. The credit union argued that he had not given the required notice of his intention to seek redress under the Equal Status Act. The Adjudication Officer found that the customer had not complied with the notice provisions and gave no reason why they should not apply. The complaint concerned a request for statements; the loan figures discussed in the decision were application amounts.