Roundtable Held to Discuss Future of International Partnership

California-World Council of Credit Unions, the California and Texas Credit Union Leagues, and Caja Popular Mexicana recently participated in an international roundtable to discuss the future plans of the "International Partnership" between the leagues, CPM, and WOCCU.

The day-long event, held February 3 at the Texas Credit Union League offices, began with California League President CEO David L. Chatfield and Texas League President and CEO Dick Ensweiler welcoming participants in their opening comments. California League Diversity Committee Chairman and Pasadena FCU CEO Shruti Miyashiro and Texas League Hispanic Outreach Task Force Chairman and Border CU CEO Maria Martinez also welcomed the audience to the roundtable. Then, special guest, CPM President Ramon Imperial Zuniga was recognized. During the meeting, Cirilo Rivera and Alfonso Garcia presented a brief history of Caja Popular Mexicana—one of Mexico's largest credit unions with 329 branches, 803,820 members, and $800 million in assets—and its accomplishments plus an update on the conversion it is currently undergoing with its new FISERV IT system. One of the credit union's accomplishments is the decrease of its delinquency rate in 2004 to 4.75 percent, without the assistance of a credit bureau that currently does not exist in Mexico.

In March, CPM representatives will visit California to learn more about internal controls, risk management, and credit and collections. In addition, WOCCU officials presented information regarding remittances, and participants shared their experiences with outreach initiatives and discussed partnership activities. The roundtable was facilitated by WOCCU Senior Manager of Technical Development David Richardson.

Members of the California League's Diversity Committee at a reception and dinner at Ensweiler's residence held after the International Roundtable.

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.