MnCUN Welcomes International Partner CENCOPAN to Minnesota

CENCOPAN delegates visiting US Federal Credit Union

The Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) and its members recently hosted representatives from CENCOPAN, its partner credit union association in Paraguay. During their visit, the CENCOPAN delegation participated in MnCUN's Annual General Meeting and had the opportunity to visit several other credit unions and learn about credit union operations in Minnesota.

The delegation's first stop in Minnesota was at Mid-States Corporate Federal Credit Union office for a presentation by the President of Minnesota Operations, Lew Lambert. The rest of the day was spent at MnCUN's headquarters, where the group met with several staff members to learn more about MnCUN's operations and the legal/regulatory framework for credit unions. The day ended with a tour of the MnCUN offices and check processing facility.

At the start of the Annual General Meeting the following day, CENCOPAN Board President Modesto Segovia Boltes discussed their partnership with Minnesota and how it has benefited CENCOPAN. After several afternoon break-out sessions, Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Board President Kristi Mukomela recognized the visitors from Paraguay and their contributions to the partnership program during a MnCUF-hosted reception.

The Meeting continued the next day with more break-out sessions and an optional tour of the Weisman Art Museum for the Paraguayan visitors. MnCUN's Annual General Meeting closed with a banquet and a fundraising event benefiting Credit Unions for Kids.

Two members of the Paraguayan delegation, Edgar Viveros and Maria del Carmen Gonzalez, extended their stay to participate in a three-week internship, allowing them an inside look at credit unions in Minnesota. Viveros and Gonzalez will stay with credit union host families and will have the opportunity to work closely with credit union staff on a daily basis during their stay. The internship will serve as an opportunity not only for professional development, but also as an important cultural exchange between Paraguay and Minnesota.

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.