WOCCU Global Brief: July 2026
30 July 2026
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From the President & CEO:
Bringing more than 2,400 credit union professionals from 39 countries together in Sydney was a powerful reminder of the reach, diversity, and shared purpose of our global movement. Throughout the week, I heard leaders exchanging ideas openly, confronting common challenges, and forming connections that will continue well beyond the conference.
Those conversations reinforced a message that extends far beyond any single event: our movement must continue adapting to remain relevant, trusted, and prepared for what comes next. Across regions, credit unions and financial cooperatives are navigating many of the same forces—from regulation, technology, and cybersecurity to demographic change, competition, and rising member expectations.
While these challenges may take different forms in different markets, our shared purpose gives us a strong foundation. We do not have to choose between innovation and identity, or between technology and trust. Our opportunity is to bring them together—to use innovation to deepen relationships, technology to expand access, and growth to strengthen the communities we serve.
For World Council, that means continuing to strengthen our global advocacy, provide members with timely insights and practical resources, and create opportunities for leaders to learn from one another. It also means communicating the cooperative difference more clearly and consistently so policymakers, partners, and future members understand not only what we do, but why our model matters.
As we begin this next chapter, I want to thank Mike Lawrence for his tenure as World Council Chair and for the leadership he brought to the role. I am pleased to welcome Joe Thomas as his successor and look forward to working with him in the years ahead. I also extend my sincere appreciation to Helene McManus and Linda Bowyer for their many contributions during their time on the World Council Board.
I am equally pleased to welcome Glenn Bolger, Paul Norgrove, and Ricardo López Enríquez, each of whom brings valuable experience and perspective from across the global credit union movement. It has been especially rewarding to watch Glenn and Paul, both WYCUP scholarship alumni, advance in their careers and now take on this important role with World Council.
Thank you to our co-host, the Customer Owned Banking Association, and to everyone who joined us in Sydney and contributed their ideas, experiences, and energy. The future of cooperative finance is being written now. By sharing what works, speaking with a stronger collective voice, and acting with courage and intention, we can ensure our movement is building for what’s next.
Paul Treinen
President & CEO
World Council of Credit Unions
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International Advocacy
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A Practical Guide to Stablecoins for Credit Unions WOCCU’s new white paper—the first of a three-part series—is designed to help credit unions navigate the rapidly evolving world of digital money. Part One provides a practical introduction to stablecoins, exploring how they work, what they could mean for payments, deposits and member relationships, and the key governance, regulatory and operational considerations for credit unions. |
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What Does Digital Money Mean for Credit Unions? Stablecoins, tokenized deposits and central bank digital currencies could reshape payments, deposits and the relationship between credit unions and their members. During a breakout session at the 2026 World Credit Union Conference, WOCCU Senior Director of International Advocacy and Regulatory Counsel Erin O’Hern emphasized the importance of ensuring credit unions have a voice as the policies governing digital money take shape. |
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Ideas Shaping the Global Movement
Lessons from 2026 WCUC in Sydney
Across keynote presentations, breakout sessions and conversations among leaders from different regions, several priorities emerged in Sydney: expanding access for underserved communities, embracing innovation without compromising trust, strengthening cross-border collaboration and preparing institutions for evolving member needs.
While credit unions operate within different markets and financial systems, the conference revealed how much they have in common—and how valuable it is to exchange practical solutions across borders. The conference reinforced that the movement’s ability to adapt will depend on keeping people and communities at the center while learning from one another and approaching change with a shared sense of purpose.
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A Shared Message from the Main Stage
The conference’s keynote lineup brought together distinct perspectives on leadership, adaptability and connection during a period of rapid change.
Holly Ransom challenged leaders to focus their attention, become more comfortable with discomfort and turn insight into action. Freddie Ravel closed the conference by using music to demonstrate how listening, collaboration and shared purpose can help teams perform at their best.
Together, the main-stage conversations encouraged credit union leaders to remain focused, resilient and connected as they prepare their organizations for what comes next.
👉Visit our 2026 WCUC recap page to access the photo gallery, news releases and more.
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World Credit Union Conference 2027: Join Us in Ireland!
Where the Global Credit Union Movement Comes Together
WOCCU and the Irish League of Credit Unions will bring the global credit union movement together in Dublin, Ireland, 25–28 July 2027, for four days of learning, collaboration and connection. Save the date and join credit union leaders from around the world to exchange ideas, explore emerging opportunities and strengthen our movement. Registration opens in fall 2026.
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WOCCU Member News
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Through ACCOSCA’s Learn and Share Initiative, African cooperative leaders traveled to Bali, Indonesia, for an immersive exchange with some of the country’s leading credit unions. Organized in collaboration with the Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU), the visit offered practical insights into cooperative governance, savings mobilization, responsible lending, digital transformation and building lasting member trust. The experience highlighted the power of global collaboration and peer-to-peer learning to strengthen credit unions and the communities they serve. |
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Unitus Community Credit Union presented Manfred Alfonso Dasenbrock with its 2026 International Community Heart Award during a recognition event in Sydney. Established in 2023, the award honors extraordinary service and sustained commitment to the international credit union community. Dasenbrock, President of Central Sicredi PR/SP/RJ and a World Council Board Director, was recognized for advancing financial inclusion, strengthening cooperative finance and helping communities become more prosperous and equitable in Brazil and worldwide. |
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COBA Recognizes 2026 Emerging Leader at WCUC The Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA) and Bridges Financial Services named Claire Mahady of Newcastle Greater Mutual Group the recipient of the 2026 COBA Emerging Leader Award during the World Credit Union Conference in Sydney. The award recognizes rising leaders under 40 who are driving positive change within their organizations and across Australia’s customer-owned banking sector. |
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What's Ahead in August?
- 25 August 2026 | Webinar: Strategic Differentiation Drives Performance
If your credit union’s differentiator sounds generic—such as a focus on members, community or simply “being different”—it may be time to sharpen it. Join us for practical tools and real-world insights that will help leaders define, measure and use their differentiator to strengthen alignment, improve decision-making and drive meaningful results.
- 31 August 2026 | Webinar: State of the Movement Address
Join WOCCU President & CEO Paul Treinen for a fireside chat on the state of the global credit union movement. Paul will share key insights from the 2026 World Credit Union Conference and look ahead to how WOCCU plans to serve its members and advance the movement in the coming year.
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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
