International Credit Union Day celebrates the history, tradition and spirit of the international credit union movement. Established in 1948, International Credit Union Day is celebrated annually on the third Thursday in October, bringing people together to reflect upon their cooperative history, credit union achievements and to promote the credit union idea around the world. It's a holiday that can be enjoyed by everyone – one that crosses religious, political, cultural and language barriers.

Members of World Council celebrate the day with open houses, picnics, fairs, and parades. International Credit Union Day is an open invitation to more than 123 million members in 40,000 credit unions around the world to share the credit union experience.

"It's up to individuals, credit unions, chapters, leagues and members from movements around the world to select their favorite ICU Day theme for 2005," noted Kimberly Johnston, WOCCU marketing and communications manager. Johnston continued, "Part of the credit union difference is that we are democratically organized and operated institutions. What better way to celebrate ICU Day than to have the theme picked democratically by members, staff and volunteers around the world?"

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.