European Network of CUs Engages EU Policymakers on Basel Rules, FATCA and Financial Inclusion

BRUSSELS — Representatives from the European Network of Credit Unions (ENCU) and World Council of Credit Unions met with European Union (EU) policymakers in Brussels on May 14–15. The group advocated for a number of issues affecting European credit unions, including reasonable interpretation of Basel Committee liquidity rules; the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and related European rules; and the provision of basic current accounts to the unbanked in order to promote financial inclusion.

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Contact: Jennifer Bernhardt
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: jbernhardt@woccu.org

WYCUP Scholarship Program Agenda and Speaker Announced

Online communications expert Shel Holtz to address CU branding through social media

MADISON, Wis. — Enrollment for World Council's Young Credit Union People (WYCUP) scholarship program, an international networking and educational opportunity for credit union leaders age 35 and younger, is accepting nominations until June 3, 2013. The program and awards ceremony will take place at the 2013 World Credit Union Conference in Ottawa, Canada, July 14–17, 2013.

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Contact: Rebecca Carpenter
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: rcarpenter@woccu.org

Early Bird Deadline Approaching for World Credit Union Conference

Attendees from more than 50 countries already registered

MADISON, Wis. — Time is running out to take advantage of the early bird deadline for World Council of Credit Unions' 2013 World Credit Union Conference in Ottawa, Canada, July 14–17, 2013. The registration fee will increase US$200 per attendee after May 9.

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Contact: Rebecca Carpenter
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: rcarpenter@woccu.org

Falkland Islands Seek U.S. Guidance for Establishing Credit Union Framework

U.S. credit union volunteer Dwayne Naylor visits Falkland Islands to assist with framework

STANLEY, Falkland Islands — Dwayne Naylor, chief operating officer of Local Government Credit Union in Raleigh, N.C., USA, travelled to the Falkland Islands April 14 to 19 to assist the Falkland Islands Development Corporation with establishing a sustainable credit union framework for its citizens. Naylor was on assignment for World Council of Credit Unions.

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Contact: Jennifer Bernhardt
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: jbernhardt@woccu.org

World Council Comments on New Global PEPs and Payments AML Standards

World Council engages the Financial Action Task Force regarding upcoming international anti-money laundering guidance on prepaid cards, remittances, mobile payments, Internet payments and domestic politically exposed persons

LONDON — World Council of Credit Unions last week made recommendations to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on how to limit regulatory burdens on credit unions in the FATF's forthcoming guidance papers on anti-money laundering (AML) standards for politically exposed persons (PEPs) and new payment products and services (NPPS). Michael Edwards, World Council vice-president and chief counsel, and Sabrina Kellenberger, Credit Union Central of Canada senior manager of regulatory policy, represented credit unions at the FATF private sector consultative forum, which was held at HSBC's London headquarters on Canary Wharf.

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Contact: Jennifer Bernhardt
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: jbernhardt@woccu.org

International CU Regulators’ Network Issues Governance Best Practices

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The International Credit Union Regulators' Network (ICURN) this week issued a new guiding principles document entitled Enhancing Governance of Cooperative Financial Institutions at the ICURN Annual Conference in San Diego, California, United States. The ICURN guidance incorporates 17 elements considered desirable in facilitating effective governance of cooperative financial institutions, including credit unions and savings and credit cooperative organizations.

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Contact: Rebecca Carpenter
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: rcarpenter@woccu.org

California and Nevada CU Leagues' Diana Dykstra and Guatemala CUs Discuss Governance and Strategy

Leagues President and CEO and FENACOAC Representatives Also Meet With Guatemala Superintendency of Banks

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala — California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues President and CEO Diana Dykstra recently conducted a workshop on governance and strategy with the board of directors of Federación Nacional de Cooperativas de Ahorro y Crédito (FENACOAC), Guatemala's national credit union trade association.

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Contact: Rebecca Carpenter
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: rcarpenter@woccu.org

Contact: Tina Ramos-Ingold
Organization: California & Nevada Credit Union Leagues
E-mail: tinar@ccul.org

Register Online Now for the 2013 Global Women’s Leadership Forum in Ottawa, Canada

Half the Sky co-author Sheryl WuDunn to discuss women’s economic empowerment

MADISON, Wis. — The Global Women's Leadership Network has opened online registration for the fifth annual Global Women's Leadership Forum, an exclusive event for network members, July 13–14, prior to the 2013 World Credit Union Conference in Ottawa, Canada. Registration for both the network and the forum are now available at www.CUwomen.org.

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Contact: Rebecca Carpenter
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: rcarpenter@woccu.org

World Council International Leadership Program Seeks U.S. Candidates

U.S. CU leaders encouraged to apply for U.S. State Department scholarships to intern at Costa Rica CUs in June

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Contact: Rebecca Carpenter
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: rcarpenter@woccu.org

Sinek, Li and Shelley Headline 2013 World Credit Union Conference in Ottawa, Canada

Keynote speakers to address mobile banking, social media and corporate leadership strategy

MADISON, Wis. — World Council of Credit Unions has secured three high-caliber speakers for the 2013 World Credit Union Conference, the international credit union system's premier educational and networking event, July 14–17, in Ottawa, Canada. More than 2,500 credit union executives and volunteers from more than 50 countries are expected to attend the conference, which will focus on mobile banking, social media and corporate leadership.

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Contact: Rebecca Carpenter
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: rcarpenter@woccu.org

Final Call: Distinguished Service Award Nominations Due March 11

World Council to present top CU industry honor at World CU Conference in Ottawa, Canada

MADISON, Wis. — The deadline is drawing near to nominate individuals and organizations for World Council's Distinguished Service Award (DSA), the credit union industry's top honor. Nominations are due March 11, 2013, and awards will be presented at the World Credit Union Conference in Ottawa, Canada, July 14–17. 

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Contact: Jennifer Bernhardt
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: jbernhardt@woccu.org

Kenya’s Presidential Election in Sight, CUs Reflect on Work to Promote Economic Stability in the Country

Kenya’s Ambassador to the United States recognizes World Council and CUs for their contributions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Kenya's ambassador to the United States, Elkanah Odembo, recognized 60 U.S. credit union representatives during a reception at the Kenyan Embassy in Washington, D.C., last week for their work to improve Kenya's economic stability in a region hit hard by post-election violence in 2007. With a new presidential election on the horizon in Kenya, Odembo expressed his appreciation for the partnership between credit unions in Kenya and in the United States and for the difference they make in Kenyans' lives.

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Contact: Jennifer Bernhardt
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: jbernhardt@woccu.org

Oregon Rep. Suzanne Bonamici Addresses Global Women’s Leadership Network at CUNA/GAC Breakfast Event

Congresswoman applauds credit unions for economic development of their communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Women credit union leaders from more than 23 states around the country gathered at the National Museum of Women in the Arts yesterday morning to discuss current issues facing women in the industry and to hear from high-caliber speakers about the role of credit unions and women in economic development.

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Contact: Jennifer Bernhardt
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: jbernhardt@woccu.org