Challenge 2025

The Digitalization of the Global Credit Union System

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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 digitalization of the global credit union system by 2025.

Measuring Global Digitalization

World Council will measure the digitalization of credit unions in four key areas for 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. 

Digital Growth Award Presents Opportunity for Credit Unions to Showcase Success Stories

2023-01-25

As World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) fields nominations for its 2023 Digital Growth Award, we are struck by how many of our members and their credit unions have risen to Challenge 2025 to help us expand digital transformation across the globe.

It has been nearly a decade since WOCCU set a goal of reaching 260 million credit union members worldwide by 2020. We surpassed that mark well ahead of time, and are now nearing the 400 million mark.

But what was true then, is still true now: that growth has not been even across all countries or among all credit unions. The credit unions that grow are those that offer core services via online and mobile channels.

But the good news is that credit unions have more digital transformation options available to them than ever before—and more and more are taking advantage of that.

This will be the third year WOCCU will present its Digital Growth Award.

Nominees are once again being asked to show a digital solution(s) they implemented is:

Inclusive: It expanded financial inclusion by reaching members of underserved communities.

Innovative: It was groundbreaking for their organization by reducing costs, streamlining operations or improving member experience.

Scalable: It can be scaled up for use or replication by other credit union associations or credit unions in another country or region.

In 2022, WOCCU presented two Digital Growth Awards.

Nominated by the Indiana Credit Union League, Northpark Community Credit Union (USA) received a Digital Growth Award for its Virtual Branching initiative, developed and implemented to deliver on a goal of closing all brick-and-mortar branches in favor of e-services and ATMs.

Sicredi, the largest credit union system in Brazil, received a Digital Growth Award for CPR Facil—its first 100% digital agribusiness product that allows members to take out loans using a mobile phone.

We are already excited to see the innovations being nominated in 2023 and hope to see multiple examples from all six continents we represent.

An independent panel of judges with expertise in credit unions, microfinance and digital financial technologies will once again evaluate all nominations and select the winners.

Digital Growth Award recipients will receive one free registration (per person or organization) to the 2023 World Credit Union Conference (WCUC) in Vancouver, Canada, July 23-26. Awards will be presented during World Council’s Annual General Meeting at WCUC 2023 on Monday, July 24.

We hope you will help us field the best possible candidates for this year’s Digital Growth Award. To nominate a credit union association or credit union, click here. For more information about the Digital Growth Award, including a list of past recipients and their innovations, visit our FAQ page.