WOCCU Global Brief: May 2026
29 May 2026
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From the President & CEO:
Across the world, credit unions are being asked to do what they have always done best: adapt to changing conditions while staying rooted in the needs of their members and communities. That balance has never been more important. Financial services are evolving quickly, member expectations are changing and new technologies are reshaping how institutions operate, compete and build trust.
What continues to make the credit union movement powerful is not scale alone. It is our shared purpose. Credit unions are built on trust, rooted in community and guided by the belief that financial services can be both sustainable and people-centered. Today, that movement spans more than 100 countries, representing 67,000 financial institutions, more than $3.8 trillion in assets and over 410 million member-owners worldwide. But our relevance will continue to depend on how well we evolve while staying true to the cooperative model.
Across markets, credit unions are navigating aging membership, accelerating technological change, rising expectations for digital service, increasing risks related to fraud and cybersecurity, and new competitors entering the financial ecosystem. Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept. It is already shaping how institutions operate, how decisions are made and how risk is managed. At the same time, regulatory environments continue to evolve, sometimes creating new opportunities and sometimes introducing new uncertainty.
In this environment, maintaining relevance is not simply about catching up. It is about staying ahead while holding firmly to the trust and cooperative values that define our model. It means continuing to innovate while strengthening member relationships. It means managing operational complexity while improving the member experience. It means growing and diversifying membership, expanding products and services, leveraging economies of scale and ensuring credit unions remain competitive in a changing financial services landscape.
This is where global connection matters. While every market is different, many of the challenges credit unions face are increasingly shared. Through WOCCU’s global footprint, we have the opportunity to connect insights across regions, share what is working and ensure the credit union voice is represented in the conversations shaping the future of finance. What is emerging in one part of the world may already have been addressed in another. It is no longer a world where only “big teaches little.” More and more, we are seeing that “little teaches big” — with smaller institutions and local markets offering innovations and insights that resonate far beyond their borders.
In this edition, you will see that work in action — from advocacy on climate resilience and proportionate regulation to strategic partnerships, global learning opportunities and member stories that show how credit unions continue to build trust, adapt and lead in their communities.
Thank you for being part of this movement and for the work you do each day to keep credit unions trusted, relevant and prepared for the future.
Paul Treinen
President & CEO
World Council of Credit Unions
International Advocacy
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Climate Resilience Through Cooperative Finance The World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) has released a new global climate policy statement, Advancing Climate Resilience and Sustainability Through Cooperative Finance, reinforcing the role credit unions and SACCOs play in helping communities prepare for and respond to climate-related financial risks. The statement outlines WOCCU’s commitment to proportional, risk-based regulation, practical guidance, global knowledge-sharing and elevating credit unions as leaders in sustainable and inclusive finance. WOCCU Vice President of International Advocacy Paul Andrews expanded on these themes in a CU Daily op-ed, emphasizing that climate resilience is not separate from the credit union mission — it is a natural extension of “people helping people. |
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WOCCU Calls for “Think Small First” Regulation As EU policymakers examine the competitiveness of the banking sector, WOCCU is urging them to consider the vital role credit unions and financial cooperatives play in building diverse, resilient and inclusive financial systems. In a letter to the European Commission, WOCCU called for a “think small first” approach to regulation — one that recognizes credit unions’ member-owned structure, community-based lending and lower-risk business model, rather than applying rules designed for large commercial banks to smaller cooperative institutions. |
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World Credit Union Conference 2026: Are You Registered Yet?
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Strategic Partnerships in Action
Connecting Diaspora Savings to Local Climate Solutions
WOCCU and the ILCU Foundation, with support from ACCOSCA and funding from the Climate Finance Fund, have launched a new model that enables Kenyan diaspora members to invest their savings in local climate solutions through SACCOs.
The program supports climate-focused deposit products that help finance renewable energy, water access, climate-smart agriculture and green housing projects. Three SACCOs — Stima, K-Unity and Kenya USA Diaspora SACCO — have already launched products, creating a pathway for diaspora savings to support resilience and sustainable development in communities across Kenya.
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WOCCU Member News
Credit unions have been recognized as Ireland’s most reputable organization for the fourth consecutive year, topping the Ireland Reputation Index 2026 with a score of 81.7. The recognition reflects the continued trust members place in credit unions across Ireland and the commitment of staff and volunteers who help strengthen communities through the cooperative model. |
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The Canadian Credit Union Association welcomed credit union leaders, partners and sector experts to Ottawa for its 2026 National Conference, bringing the Canadian credit union movement together for several days of learning, collaboration and connection. Sessions explored key issues shaping the future of cooperative finance, including real-time payments, affordable housing, AML and strategic growth. WOCCU President and CEO Paul Treinen also joined the main stage, emphasizing the importance of global collaboration and shared learning across the credit union movement. |
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CCCU Strengthens Regional Cooperation in Curaçao The Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions (CCCU) Board of Directors recently convened in Curaçao, bringing regional cooperative leaders together for dialogue with key partners and stakeholders. The gathering highlighted the role of credit unions and cooperatives in advancing financial inclusion, economic resilience and good governance across the Caribbean. Discussions also explored how the cooperative model aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and how proportional regulatory approaches can support a balanced, enabling environment for the sector. |
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What's Ahead in June?
- 4–5 Foro Regional de Finanzas Cooperativas
In a time of growing polarization and uncertainty, cooperative finance offers something increasingly rare: stability, trust and shared purpose. This regional forum will bring together cooperative leaders to explore practical strategies for strengthening inclusion, digital transformation, risk management, sustainability, climate resilience and cross-border cooperation.
- 22–26 June 26 Global Bridges Exchange—Guatemala
WOCCU’s Global Bridges Exchange in Guatemala will bring together leaders from credit unions, SACCOs and financial cooperatives for hands-on learning with Guatemala’s MiCoope System and FENACOAC. The exchange will explore shared services, risk-based self-regulation, member protection, digital service delivery and SME finance..