AACUC to Fund Scholarships for WOCCU Program

Madison, WI-The African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) recently renewed its financial commitment to fund three scholarships for World Council of Credit Unions' (WOCCU) Strathmore- WOCCU African Management Institute (SWAMI). SWAMI is a credit union management accreditation program for aspiring managers, senior credit union management and board members in Africa. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, SWAMI has drawn participants from 8 different countries including: Kenya, Uganda, Seychelles, Malawi, Ghana, Botswana, Swaziland and South Africa.

Hubert Hoosman, AACUC board member and the president and CEO of Vantage Credit Union shared, "Supporting the SWAMI scholarship program helps the African-American Credit Union Coalition live up to its mission statement to increase the global credit union movement's strength by adding the focused perspective and energy of credit union volunteers and professionals of African- American and African descent."

The three AACUC scholarships are designated to pay full tuition for three students for all three tiers of the SWAMI credit union management accreditation program.

l-r: Anne Cochran, president and CEO, Louisiana Credit Union League and WOCCU international executive corps member; Steve Goldberg, executive director, CUNA Mutual Group Foundation; Angelica Kiboro, director of continuing education at Strathmore University; and Catherine Ford, WOCCU CDP manager pose for a photo in Madison, WI after a presentation on SWAMI. WOCCU recognizes CUNA Mutual Group Foundation for co-funding the SWAMI program.

The first graduating class of SWAMI, 20 managers and 18 board members celebrated the completion of their certification program in November.Click here to view

Angelica Kiboro, director of continuing education at Strathmore University spoke in Madison, WI recently on the SWAMI program and noted, "Formal training for credit union leaders in financial skills building, lending, succession planning is key for the survival and growth of credit unions."

World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.

World Council has implemented more than 290 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 51,000 credit unions in 100 countries serve 196 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.