Challenge 2025

The Digitization of the Global Credit Union System

A New Decade, A New Goal

In 2014, World Council of Credit Unions set a goal of reaching 260 million credit union members worldwide by 2020.

Through a concentrated worldwide effort, credit unions were able to reach our "Vision 2020" goal by 2017. But that growth was not even across all countries or among all credit unions. The credit unions that grew were those that offered core services via online and mobile channels. That is why we are now addressing how we increase membership going forward—through the digitization of the global credit union system by 2025.

Measuring Global Digitization

World Council will measure the digitization of credit unions in four key areas and report annually on the progress being made toward Challenge 2025.

Digital Channels

Offering members core digital transaction services such as online and mobile banking, online payments and online loan processing.

Shared Platforms

Connecting your credit union to a shared payments system that allows for mobile payments and integrated with a national payments system.

Risk Management

Implementation of a cybersecurity system that complies with national regulations to protect members' identity and consumer data from digital attacks and intrusions.

Data Analytics

Employing data analytics to determine additional service offerings to members, and helping to identify those that need financial literacy or counseling services.

Follow Our Progress, Tell Us About Yours

Track the latest developments in digitization by subscribing to our Challenge 2025 Blog. You can also send us updates on how your credit union or credit union system is striving to help us meet Challenge 2025 at communications@woccu.org.

2022-05-25

CAP Project Protects Credit Union Data by Moving it Out of Ukraine

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing destruction of infrastructure in some areas has elevated the material risks for credit unions, including the irretrievable loss of critical databases.

2022-04-28

Why the War in Ukraine Has Accelerated Regulatory Work on Crypto-Assets

All of us are concerned about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The international standard setters are no exception and are not immune to the influence of this conflict.

2022-03-31

Ukrainian Credit Unions Use Digital Communication Tools to Help People Affected by War

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has not only brought suffering to the Ukrainian people, it has also disrupted previously functional communication and transportation channels. In the new reality of wartime Ukraine, digital channels are playing a key role in connecting people and ensuring access to necessities and humanitarian help.

2022-02-23

A Focus on Digital Transformation at the 2022 World Credit Union Conference

Two of the three visionaries scheduled to give keynote speeches at the 2022 World Credit Union Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, July 17-20, will focus on topics central to the digitization of credit unions.

2022-01-27

New Year, New Digital Regulations

Just as the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the further digitalization of credit unions, international standard setting bodies are now accelerating changes to digitalization policies that are sure to be implemented by many national-level regulators, according to World Council of Credit Unions’ 2022 Global Regulatory Update for Credit Unions and Financial Cooperatives.

2021-12-22

Make 2022 the Year of Cybersecurity Resolutions

It’s that time of year again when people think about their New Year’s resolutions. These typically involve losing weight, eating healthy and exercising more. While most people do not consider making resolutions around improving their cybersecurity efforts, it is important to do everything possible to thwart scammers.

2021-11-29

“Solven” a Digital Problem for Credit Unions in Peru

When leaders of WOCCU’s Economic Inclusion Project (EIP) in Peru and Ecuador set out to expand financial inclusion to Venezuelan migrants and refugees and vulnerable local populations, they knew digitization would have to play a large role in that effort.

2021-10-28

How Digital Finance Can Boost Climate Resilience

It is becoming increasingly clear to experts in the climate resilience space that digital financial tools and systems are going to play a large role in helping vulnerable populations across the globe better prepare and respond to the shocks and stresses presented by climate change.

2021-09-23

El Salvador’s Credit Unions Deal with the Reality of Legal Bitcoin

On September 7, 2021, El Salvador became the first country in the world to legalize Bitcoin as a parallel currency to the U.S. Dollar, which has been legal tender in the Central American country since 2001.