Treinen Touts Opportunity for Credit Unions Amid Changing World
Speech from WOCCU Interim CEO, keynote address by cybersecurity expert highlight day two of the 2025 World Credit Union Conference
July 16, 2025
STOCKHOLM, Sweden—In a year defined by greater political polarization, more uncertainty and volatility in global markets and an expanded role of government that creates the potential for increased regulations—WOCCU Interim President and CEO Paul Treinen sees opportunity for credit unions.
“We are no strangers to change, and we have proven time and again to be nimble—not only in reacting to change but in proactively embracing and leading on it,” Treinen told attendees of Tuesday’s second general session at the 2025 World Credit Union Conference.
He outlined how credit unions have already responded to changes brought on by a global pandemic, disruptive technology and a warming climate, encouraging credit union professionals to lean into more adaptation to grow the movement.
Treinen also gave a more detailed description of WOCCU’s new strategic priorities first outlined by Board Chair Michael Lawrence on Monday, which places a greater emphasis on proactive advocacy, improved member services and a stronger connection to the greater global cooperative movement.
“We want all of you to know, we hear you. We are getting the message loud and clear. We know what’s important to you. That’s why as the leader of this movement; World Council must not just adapt—we must assert our value louder and more effectively than ever,” said Treinen.
Staveley shares insights on digital trust
Confidence Staveley told attendees that creating a digital environment that people can truly rely on is key for credit unions during the first keynote address of WCUC 2025.
Staveley, a cybersecurity expert, said the online tools people trust most are what a new generation of online criminals are targeting. She said credit unions may not even be aware of what makes them vulnerable.
“Once they’re able to get to our soft spots—soft spots like some of our services we are offshoring to other countries, like service desks—they’re able to use those other services and other arenas to hit us,” said Staveley. “Everyone who has access to the tools you use, everyone you give access to the MPIs your engine offers, everyone you’ve given access to a session for one thing or another, they are all pathways to your digital trust verification.”
Staveley says it is important for credit unions to ask specific questions of themselves and third parties when it comes to protecting their members.
“We must ensure and demand that the vendors supports phishing-resistant identity verification for their own staff,” said Staveley. “You must ensure (and demand) your own system is also properly designed and secured.”
Andrews interviews FATF official on AML/CFT, financial inclusion
Tuesday’s general session crowd was also treated to a video of WOCCU Vice President of International Advocacy Paul Andrews interviewing Tom Neylan, Head of Policy for the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)—the main international body that sets the standards on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT).
Andrews talked with Neylan about FATF’s recent guidance that includes language WOCCU advocated for which encourages national governments and regulators to take the appropriate steps to identify where AML/CFT regulations can be proportionally tailored for lower-risk institutions such as credit unions.
“Having a lighter touch in terms of the AML/CFT programs, where it’s justified, can make it easier to do business—and particularly it allows them (credit unions) to bring on people who would otherwise have obstacles to accessing formal financial services. People who have trouble documenting their identity or address would be an example,” said Neylan.
WOCCU has continuous conversations with international standard setting bodies such as FATF throughout the year to ensure credit unions are taken into consideration when they put forth guidelines on how national-level regulators should be implementing policies.
WOCCU International Advocacy also hosted three more breakout sessions Tuesday, including one that explored how the United Nations declaring 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives is helping credit unions advance their advocacy initiatives.
Erin O’Hern, WOCCU International Advocacy and Regulatory Counsel, participated in the panel discussion, which also included Nina Schindler, CEO of the European Association of Cooperative Banks.
Schindler talked about how cooperative banks face many the same regulatory challenges as credit unions.
“We have the same anti-money laundering (challenges), cybersecurity as well on a European level, and just to add to that, financial inclusion,” said Schindler, who added that differentiating cooperative banks from commercial banks is a cyclical process thanks to constant changes in national-level governments.
O’Hern said just like cooperative banks, credit unions are always advocating for proportional regulatory treatment in comparison to large commercial banks.
“So, we are continuing to share that message but again, to Nina’s point, every two years you have to share to share the same message to make sure that they’re (standards) staying updated as new individuals and new representatives come in (to office),” said O’Hern.
Connect and Collaborate sessions produce meaningful exchanges
A new addition to the World Credit Union Conference in 2025 turned out to be a huge hit with attendees. Connect and Collaborate is an initiative comprised of networking workshops that allow participants to engage in structured, focused discussions designed to leverage collective expertise to address challenges within their own credit union roles.
Divided into two groups for large and small credit unions, the workshops provided a platform for participants to share experiences, challenges, and insights, fostering collaborative problem-solving, while allowing them to build lasting professional relationships with individuals facing similar challenges.
“And we share almost the same issues. Though we have those who have moved ahead in technology, while others are still coming up and struggling, we believe by this (conference) bringing us together, sharing our ideas with people all over the world, it will help us build some of the up-and-coming credit unions,” said Farida Toma Haji Bashir, Board Director for Boresha DT SACCO Society Ltd. (Kenya).
Pat Pierce, President and CEO of City & County Credit Union (Minnesota), and Chair of the America’s Credit Unions’ Board of Directors, said it was valuable to share information on administrative issues with industry professionals from other countries.
“We had good conversations with people from Ireland, Sicredi from Brazil, a couple through the U.S. too. It was really good; I enjoyed it a lot. There were all sorts of topics—parental leave, succession planning, all those sorts of things,” said Pierce, who added that it definitely made him think differently about several issues.
WFCU honors Global DE Class of 2025
Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) on Tuesday afternoon formally recognized nine new professionals who entered the global credit union community as part of the International Credit Union Development Educators (ICUDEs) Class of 2025.
The Global DE Social celebrated international connections, shared values and the impact of purpose-driven leadership.
For more on that event, additional Tuesday breakout sessions and an Africa Caucus on day two of the 2025 World Credit Union Conference, visit the WCUC 2025 Blog.
Still to come
The 2025 World Credit Union Conference continues Wednesday morning with the final general session, featuring a keynote address from Eric Termuende on the future of work and a breakout session on the intersection of emerging technologies and regulatory policy.
Follow conference activities and see daily event photos on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and X with #WCUC2025.
The 2025 World Credit Union Conference ends Wednesday night with a closing celebration at the Stockholm Waterfront Congress Center.
World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is the apex association for credit unions and other global financial cooperatives. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.
World Council has implemented 300+ technical assistance programs in 90 countries. Worldwide, 74,634 credit unions in 104 countries serve 411 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: gneumann@woccu.org
Phone: +1 608-395-2048
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