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Advocacy in Action 

Learn about the potential regulatory changes our team is tracking on behalf of the global credit union movement, the issues they are proactively raising to the international standard setting bodies and the ways they are connecting with our members around the world to ensure a level playing field for all credit unions and financial cooperatives.

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Webinar

"Global vs. National Credit Union Advocacy: Building Bridges for Financial Inclusion" was a June 11virtual event that offered practical insights for credit union leaders seeking to strengthen their advocacy impact through the strategic alignment of global principles with national implementation strategies. David Malone, CEO of the Irish League of Credit Unions, will joined International Advocacy team for a panel discussion.

A Call to Action

WOCCU Vice President of International Advocacy Paul Andrews on May 21 sent a letter to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa urging the G20 Presidency to recognize cooperatives as essential institutions in the global effort to advance financial inclusion in its 2025 Leaders' Declaration.

A Win at FATF

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in 2025 revised its guidance on key anti-money laundering/counter financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) issues to include language WOCCU advocated for that encourages national governments to identify where AML/CFT regulations can be proportionally tailored for lower-risk institutions such as credit unions. WOCCU applauds those efforts but is seeking minor adjustments.

Thought Leadership

See how WOCCU and its partners are proactively setting the tone for international financial standards by getting in front of the key regulatory issues credit unions are facing today and in the future.

Why WOCCU is Focused on Advocacy

Paul Andrews, WOCCU Vice President of International Advocacy, explains why we are taking a more proactive approach to our advocacy work moving forward, and why engaging with our membership is key to that effort, in an article for CU Insight.

The Global Credit Union Difference: Stronger Together

Our credit union industry is at its strongest when we harness the strength of our global movement. That's what Steven Stapp, President and CEO of Unitus Community Credit Union and a former WOCCU Board Chair, writes in this recent op-ed for CU Insight. 

Why International Development Work Must Continue for Credit Unions

Credit unions are powering change around the world, but global development work is under threat. Cutting this work doesn’t just hurt communities abroad, it weakens U.S. influence and global stability. WOCCU Board Vice Chair Joe Thomas makes the case for why we must keep going in this opinion editorial for CU Insight.

 

Where We're Going

The WOCCU International Advocacy team is always on the road advocating on behalf of credit unions in front of international standard setters or collaborating with members to find solutions to regulatory issues. Here's a look at where they are headed next. 

Island Time Advocacy

Paul Andrews, WOCCU Vice President of International Advocacy, goes back on the road June 20-25 for the 2025 Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions' Conference in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. He will host a breakout session for Caribbean credit union professionals on Advocacy and Influence: Strengthening the Voice of Credit Union Leagues in Policy and Regulation.

Set for Stockholm

Paul Andrews and Erin O'Hern, WOCCU International Advocacy and Regulatory Counsel, organized and will be moderating several credit union advocacy breakout sessions at the 2025 World Credit Union Conference in Stockholm, Sweden, July 14-16.

Where We've Been

It has been a busy 2025 for our International Advocacy team. See where we've been out advocating on behalf of credit unions so far this year.

CCUA Annual Conference

Paul Andrews (second from left) in May traveled to Halifax, Nova Scotia, for the 2025 Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA) Conference. He participated in a session that brought together industry leaders for a critical discussion on how evolving international, federal and provincial regulations are shaping the future of the sector.

Foro Cooperativo en Panama

Erin O'Hern in May traveled to Panama to highlight the importance of cooperative regulation and sustainability at WOCCU's first ever Cooperative Forum on Financial Innovation (Foro Cooperativo de Innovación Financiera).

FATF Forum in India

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) asked Erin O'Hern to be a part of its invitation-only 2025 Private Sector Collaborative Forum in Mumbai, India, in early April. She participated in continued discussions on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT), voicing WOCCU's support for FATF"s renewed focus on financial inclusion and how it benefits credit unions.

Guides and Manuals

Protecting the Credit Union and Cooperative Model in a Year of Uncertainty

With a vast amount of regulatory uncertainty resulting from an unprecedented number of newly elected officials across the globe—2025 will be a critical year for credit union advocacy worldwide. That is the overriding theme of WOCCU International Advocacy's 2025 Global Regulatory Update.

Model Law on Credit Unions

The Model Law for Credit Unions provides a sample legislative framework to movement leaders, legislators, regulators and others in preparing and seeking approval of laws that will strengthen the safety and soundness of credit unions without imposing unreasonable regulatory burdens.