Votes are In: 2006 International Credit Union Day Theme Selected

Credit Unions: Making a World of Difference

Madison, WI—Credit union advocates from all over the world have cast their votes for this year's International Credit Union (ICU) Day theme on World Council of Credit Union's on-line poll. The chosen theme, garnering 44% of the 1814 votes, is Credit Unions: Making a World of Difference.

Other potential themes, in order of votes received, included: Credit Unions: Own Your Future; Credit Unions Membership Means Ownership; Credit Unions: Where Community Comes First; Credit Unions: Leaders in Providing Access.

ICU Day celebrates the history, tradition and spirit of the international credit union movement. Established in 1948, it 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. This year's ICU Day is on October 19. Artwork will be available soon on the website.

World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. WOCCU 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. WOCCU 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.

WOCCU has implemented more than 275 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 53,000 credit unions in 100 countries serve 188 million people. Learn more about WOCCU's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.