Gary Plank Steps Up as WOCCU's New Board Chairman

(Rome, Italy) - The World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. (WOCCU) announces the appointment of Gary Plank as its board chairman. Plank, CEO of the Arizona Credit Union League, begins a two-year term of office after being sworn in at WOCCU's 2005 World Credit Union Conference in Rome, Italy. He was previously 1st vice chairman, from 2003-2005. He joined the board in 1997.

Plank is a credit union veteran, having served the movement in many different roles. He was CEO of the Minnesota League of Credit Unions from 1983-1996 and has held various positions at the Iowa Credit Union League, culminating in the post of executive vice president. From 1971-1973 he was the managing director of the South Dakota Credit Union League. He has also been active as a member of the CUNA executive committee and the CUNA board of directors.

As chairman, Plank will oversee WOCCU's efforts to provide quality credit unions for everyone. He will travel to all inhabited continents to promote financial services for those who are forgotten by larger banks and savings institutions. He will work on issues of good governance as well, and help fledgling credit unions lobby for protective legislation guaranteeing members' savings. Plank said he was "excited and honored to serve WOCCU in this new capacity."

World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. WOCCU 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. WOCCU 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.

WOCCU has implemented more than 275 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 53,000 credit unions in 100 countries serve 188 million people. Learn more about WOCCU's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.