WOCCU Global Brief: June 2026

29 June 2026

From the President & CEO:
In just a couple of weeks, credit union and cooperative finance leaders from around the world will gather in Sydney for the 2026 World Credit Union Conference. Each year, this conference is more than a meeting. It is a reminder that while our institutions serve local members and communities, we are part of a global movement facing many of the same questions.

How do we remain relevant in fast-changing markets? How do we adapt to new technology while preserving trust? How do we ensure regulation recognizes the cooperative model? How do we strengthen the member relationship in a financial system that is becoming more digital, more complex and more competitive?

These questions do not belong to any one country or region. They are shared across the movement. And because they are shared, the answers will be stronger when they are shaped together.

That is the value of global connection. It allows us to learn from different systems, elevate the cooperative voice and return home better prepared to lead. What is emerging in one market may already be underway in another. And often, the most practical ideas come from leaders closest to the communities they serve.

In this edition, you will see examples of how WOCCU and our members continue working across regions to strengthen advocacy, cooperation and innovation throughout the global credit union movement.

I look forward to seeing many of you in Sydney as we continue building a movement that is trusted, relevant and prepared for what comes next.

Paul Treinen
President & CEO
World Council of Credit Unions

Enjoying the Global Brief? Subscribe here to receive future updates from the World Council of Credit Unions

International Advocacy

Strengthening Credit Union Dialogue Across       Europe  WOCCU Vice President of International Advocacy   Paul Andrews recently joined members of the   European Network of Credit Unions in Warsaw,   Poland, for discussions on the future of the credit   union sector across Europe.  A key highlight was a meeting with Bogdan Furtak,   Director of Credit Union Supervision at the Polish   Financial Services Authority, where participants   exchanged perspectives on governance, regulation   and the importance of continued dialogue between   regulators and credit unions.  The gathering also featured success stories from   Polish credit unions and updates from across   Europe, including encouraging progress in   Hungary and Croatia. The conversations reinforced   the value of regional collaboration and WOCCU’s   advocacy work to ensure credit unions have a   strong voice in regulatory discussions. .

WOCCU Calls for “Think Small First” Regulation WOCCU recently joined cooperative finance leaders at the International Symposium on Cooperative Financial Institutions, hosted by the International Cooperative Alliance and International Cooperative Banking Association at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Erin O’Hern, WOCCU Senior Director of International Advocacy and Regulatory Counsel, spoke on emerging governance issues and the regulatory challenges facing financial cooperatives. Her remarks reinforced WOCCU’s call for proportionate, “think small first” regulation that recognizes the unique structure and community role of cooperative financial institutions.

World Credit Union Conference 2026: Spots Are Still Available!

Strategic Partnerships in Action

Strengthening Cooperation Across Asia

As part of WOCCU’s ongoing work to strengthen the global credit union movement, President and CEO Paul Treinen met with Ko Young-cheol, Chairman of the Korean Central Credit Union, during a working visit to Seoul.

Their discussion focused on credit union development across Asia, support for emerging cooperative sectors and key challenges facing cooperative finance globally.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss Chairman Ko’s upcoming service on the WOCCU Board of Directors for the 2026–2028 term and preparations for the World Credit Union Conference in Sydney, Australia. The conversation underscored the importance of strong regional partnerships in building a more connected global cooperative movement.

Global Engagement

Regional Forum Highlights Cooperative Innovation Across Latin America

WOCCU convened cooperative finance leaders in San José, Costa Rica, for the 2026 Regional Cooperative Finance Forum, bringing together credit unions, partners and sector leaders to explore the future of cooperative finance across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Over two days, sessions focused on member-centered strategy, digital transformation, remittances, governance, artificial intelligence and innovation rooted in cooperative values. The forum also highlighted regional collaboration around modern payment infrastructure, financial inclusion and shared digital solutions already serving members today.

The forum concluded with a Regional Roadmap Declaration focused on proportionate regulatory frameworks, inclusive digital acceleration, remittances, financial inclusion, a modernized PERLAS system and deeper cooperative integration across the region.

The gathering reinforced a clear message: the cooperative movement is not simply reacting to change — it is helping build what comes next.

WOCCU Member News

America’s Credit Unions Releases Data Privacy White Paper America’s Credit Unions has released a new white paper, Data Privacy: Considerations for a Federal Framework for Financial Institutions, outlining the need for a comprehensive, uniform federal data privacy standard for financial institutions. The paper highlights the growing compliance challenges created by varying state privacy laws and recommends a federal framework that recognizes existing Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act standards, preempts conflicting state requirements, protects financial institutions from frivolous lawsuits and minimizes unnecessary compliance burdens. 👉 Read the full white paper
Sicredi Summit Draws More Than 1,700 Cooperative Leaders Sicredi held the fifth edition of its Governance Summit on June 10, bringing together more than 1,700 cooperative leaders for discussions on governance, innovation, technology, ESG and business transformation. The event reinforced the importance of strong governance in helping cooperative financial institutions make consistent decisions, adapt to change and support long-term sustainability for members, communities and local economies. 👉 Read more about the summit
CCULB Election Highlights Democratic Governance in Bangladesh The Co-operative Credit Union League of Bangladesh Ltd. held its 2026 Board of Directors Election in Dhaka, bringing together delegates from member credit unions across the country. More than 97% of delegates cast votes in the election. The highly participatory election reflected CCULB’s continued commitment to transparency, accountability and member-driven governance, while the newly elected board will focus on strengthening member services, financial inclusion, training opportunities and institutional sustainability. 👉Learn more about CCULB

What's Ahead in July?

• July 2026 | Stablecoins White Paper Release
  

  Part 1: Focus on Stablecoins, a new white paper examining how stablecoins are reshaping payments, deposits and the financial infrastructure credit unions rely on. The paper will explore key risks, opportunities and governance considerations for cooperative financial institutions.

  👉 Stay tuned for publication in July

• 20 July 2026 | WFCU UnWind Event at WCUC 2026
  

  The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions will host its annual WFCU UnWind during the 2026 World Credit Union Conference in Sydney, bringing together the global credit union community for an evening of music, connection and shared purpose. This year’s event features Great Opera Hits, a 90-minute performance by stars of Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House, with proceeds supporting WFCU’s work to advance financial inclusion worldwide.

  👉 Learn more and register here.
  

Want Global Brief in your inbox?
Subscribe to receive monthly update on global credit union advocacy, partnerships and the latest news in the movement.

World Council of Credit Unions
P.O. Box 2982, Madison, WI 53701-2982 USA
Phone: +1-608-395-2000 | Fax: +1-608-395-2001 | mail@woccu.org | www.woccu.org