Madison, WI—Credit unions around the world will rally under this year’s theme, “Together We’re Better™,” in celebration of International Credit Union (ICU) Day® on Thursday, October 18.

“In celebrating how ‘Together We’re Better’ this ICU Day, we honor the cooperative heritage and values on which credit unions throughout the world were founded, celebrate the achievements of today and look ahead to forging new partnerships that will strengthen the future of the movement,” emphasized Pete Crear, World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) President and CEO. “Today, there are more than 46,000 credit unions in 97 countries. Together, they are making a difference in the lives of 172 million members.”

In affirmation of this year’s theme, WOCCU and Credit Union National Association (CUNA) collaborated closely to provide their members with ICU Day artwork and graphics, along with educational and promotional materials all housed on WOCCU’s website: www.woccu.org/involve/icu/icuday .php.

ICU Day celebrates the history, tradition and spirit of the international credit union movement. Established by CUNA in 1948 and supported internationally by WOCCU for over 30 years, ICU Day is celebrated annually on the third Thursday in October. The day is set aside to reflect upon the cooperative history of credit unions and their achievements, and to promote the credit union difference in countries across the globe.

“Credit unions around the world were founded in the philosophy of cooperation and its central values of equality, equity and mutual self- help,” said Dan Mica, President and CEO of CUNA, the representative association for credit unions in the United States. “This year’s theme demonstrates the fact that credit unions serve their members most effectively, and simultaneously strengthen the credit union movement, by working together at local, state, national and international levels.”

WOCCU- and CUNA-affiliated credit unions will receive a full color poster, which includes this year’s theme and graphics. To view and purchase ICU Day promotional products, U.S. credit unions can go to finlit.cuna.org and click on "Events."

About CUNA
With its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, Credit Union National Association (CUNA) serves more than 90 percent of America's 8,800 credit unions, which are owned by nearly 90 million consumer members. Credit unions are not for profit cooperatives providing affordable financial services to people from all walks of life. For more information, visit www.cuna.org

Contact Person: Kayte Long
Organization: CUNA
Phone Number: (608) 231-4038
E-mail: klong@cuna.coop