WOCCU Board Commences President & CEO Search

Madison, WI-World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. (WOCCU) Board Chairman, L. R. (Bobby) McVeigh announced that the WOCCU Board has appointed a Selection Committee to lead the search process for a new President & CEO of the organization. Dr. Brian Branch will act as the organization's Interim President & CEO, and Corporate Secretary during this process, having been appointed by the Board to this role effective November 4, 2004.

Branch, who has served as Chief Operating Officer for World Council during the past year, has headed development field work, research and implementation for more than 22 years. As WOCCU's COO Branch led strategic technical implementation of donor funded programs and managed day-to-day operations.

Branch received his Doctor of Philosophy in economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1989 and his Master of Arts in Latin American studies at the University of Texas-Austin in 1981. He received his Bachelor of Arts in government and Spanish, graduating magna cum laude from Bowdoin College, Maine, in 1979.

McVeigh noted, "Brian Branch has been one of the guiding forces behind World Council. His appointment as the Interim President & CEO will ensure that WOCCU's operations will continue to run smoothly during this transition period."

McVeigh noted that the Board expects a high level of interest in the President & CEO position. Formal advertisements in this regard will be posted with WOCCU and its member organizations in the next week. Those individuals who wish to explore this exciting opportunity are encouraged to forward their resume and qualifications, no later than January 17, 2005, to: Mr. L. R. McVeigh, Chairman, World Council of Credit Unions, c/o Credit Union Central of Canada, 300 The East Mall, Toronto, Ontario M9B 6B7 Canada Fax: 416-232-9196 Email: fonsecac@cucentral.com

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.