Branch Named Interim World Council CEO

Madison, WI-World Council of Credit Unions, Inc.(WOCCU) board chairman, L. R. (Bobby) McVeigh announced the appointment of the organization's new Interim CEO, Brian Branch. The appointment was made due to the change in Arthur Arnold's, former president and CEO of WOCCU, effective resignation date.

Branch, who serves as chief operating officer for World Council has headed development field work, research and implementation for more than 22 years. As WOCCU's COO Branch leads strategic technical implementation of donor funded programs and manages day to day operations. Branch received his doctor of philosophy in economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1989 and his master of arts in Latin American studies at the University of Texas-Austin in 1981. He received his bachelor of arts in government and Spanish, graduating magna cum laude from Bowdoin College, Maine, in 1979.

McVeigh noted, "Brian Branch has been one of the guiding forces behind the World Council. His appointment as the Interim CEO will ensure that mission and vision of WOCCU will continue during this transition period."

World Council of Credit Unions is the apex trade association and development organization of the international credit union system. It promotes the sustainable growth of credit unions and financial cooperatives across the globe. As instruments of economic and social development, World Council, its member organizations in 87 countries with 40,421 member credit unions serve more than 123 million people worldwide.

McVeigh explained, "The executive search will be at the top of World Council's board meeting agenda, held December 3-5." He encouraged those interested in the position to forward their resume and qualifications to: World Council of Credit Unions, Attn: Executive Search, 5710 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705.

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.