But although these "Banks" are almost invariably situated in very poor districts, there has been no necessity to put this rule in force in a single instance.

Social influences seem to be quite sufficient to secure obedience to the association's laws.
Another advantage conferred by the association is that the term for which money is advanced is a matter of agreement between the borrower and the bank.

The hard and fast term of three months which prevails in Ireland for small loans is unsuited to the requirements of the agricultural industry--as for instance, when a man borrows money to sow a crop, and has to repay it before harvest.

The society borrows at four or five per cent, and lends at five or six per cent.

In some cases the Congested Districts Board or the Department of Agriculture have made loans to these banks at three per cent.