Annual Report
World Council
Leadership Report
 |
| Download Full Report |
In previous years, we have addressed the pressures on credit unions: regulatory burden, payments innovation, membership growth, sustainability of small credit unions, and non-traditional market entrants. In 2015, we looked at the pressures on cooperative cohesion and association. Cohesion has always been based on shared values, promise, and quality.
With the increasing costs of and resulting consolidation of credit union systems, the measure of strength of association is less the number of credit unions and more the number of members and the quality of consolidated assets. Around the world, variations in emerging models drive variations in identification with the cooperative financial model. In some cases, we see polarization between institutions and the resulting conflicting demands on associations.
With voluntary choice of association heightened in the market, it is the value proposition of association today that deter mines the willingness of credit unions to be part of a system. Everywhere today legislation and regulation provide the common challenge that binds together association. A common value of association is both the pooled support for advocacy and the consistent message. The common voice is always stronger. Credit unions and mutuals still find value in networking with one another about common concerns such as cyber security, membership growth, or fin-techs. The challenges of sustainability of small institutions provides clear economic rationale for business collaboration, such as shared platforms or credit union service organizations.
The value of cohesion is driven not only by shared values, but also by shared threats of restrictive and burdensome regulation. Defense of the credit union or the mutual brand becomes the core service at the association level. Strong local institutions and strong national associations build public confidence, influence policy makers, and achieve growth. Proactive and aggressive advocacy at the local level, at the national, level and at the international level is a critical service of association built on a strong financial cooperative base.
In 2015, the World Council of Credit Unions worked to address these challenges for credit unions and their associations worldwide through our various programs. We invite you to learn more.
 |
 |
|
Brain Branch |
Anne Cochran |
Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions
Director's Message
 |
| Download Full Report |
People helping people is at the heart of what we do. As the global platform dedicated to supporting and advancing credit unions, contributions to the Worldwide Foundation allows World Council to tackle the critical issues facing our industry and strengthen the economic security of your members.
In the following pages, you will witness the impact your 2016 investment has created and our collective accomplishments to provide leadership, access, and sustainability for credit unionsand the members they serve worldwide.
We are honored to steward the resources you entrust with the Worldwide Foundation and privileged to offer unique value to the global credit union industry.