UK’s Unity Trust Bank Introduces Credit Union Awards

WOCCU Director Participates in Launch Ceremonies

LONDON – In an attempt to help publicize the positive role credit unions play, particularly in light of the recent global economic crisis, the United Kingdom’s Unity Trust Bank last week launched the country’s first-ever National Credit Union Awards for Excellence program. World Council of Credit Union’s (WOCCU) Director Marlene Shiels, chief executive of Capital Credit Union in Edinburgh, Scotland, participated in the launch of the program, which will recognize its first round of honorees in February 2011.

“Every day, more than 49,000 credit unions worldwide provide products and services to their members, especially those demonstrating the greatest financial need,” said Shiels to assembled dignitaries in the Lord Clement Attlee Room of the U.K.’s House of Lords on July 22. “These awards are a tribute to those credit unions and individuals who have gone above and beyond on behalf of their members.”

The National Credit Union Awards for Excellence, which Unity Trust Bank organizers say have been modeled after similar programs in Canada and the United States, will recognize top performers in the areas of marketing, community mobilization, credit union education, fundraising and active partnerships, as well as provide an award to a single benefactor of the U.K.’s credit union movement. The top honor, as drawn from all six categories, is named after Edward A. Filene, the Boston merchant who helped pioneer the U.S. credit union movement. Winners in each category will receive trophies and cash awards.

“These awards emphasize that our historic support for credit unions remains a long-term commitment and a fundamental building block in our strategy of promoting key social initiatives such as tackling financial and social exclusion,” said Kevin Turmore, managing director of Unity Trust, which provides banking services to more than 48% of the U.K.’s credit unions. “I am delighted with the overwhelmingly positive response from credit unions.”

Although not formally a part of the awards judging panel, WOCCU representatives have been invited to participate in the ceremony recognizing award winners early next year.

El Consejo Mundial de Cooperativas de Ahorro y Crédito es la asociación gremial y agencia de desarrollo para el sistema internacional de cooperativas de ahorro y crédito. El Consejo Mundial promueve el crecimiento sustentable de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito y otras cooperativas financieras en todo el mundo a fin de facultar a las personas para que mejoren su calidad de vida a través del acceso a servicios financieros asequibles y de alta calidad. El Consejo Mundial realiza esfuerzos de defensa activa en representación del sistema global de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito ante organizaciones internacionales y trabaja con gobiernos nacionales para mejorar la legislación y la regulación. Sus programas de asistencia técnica introducen nuevas herramientas y tecnologías para fortalecer el desempeño financiero de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito y profundizar su alcance comunitario.

El Consejo Mundial ha implementado 290 programas de asistencia técnica en 71 países. A nivel mundial, 51,000 cooperativas de ahorro y crédito en 100 países atienden a 196 millones de personas. Obtenga más información sobre el impacto global del Consejo Mundial en www.woccu.org.