WOCCU 2025 Impact Report Shows System-Level Change for Global Credit Unions

MADISON, Wis.—World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) has released its 2025 Impact Report, available in Spanish (Versión en español) and Portuguese (Versão em português) highlighting how the global organization helped reshape the environment in which credit unions operate worldwide. In 2025, WOCCU advanced proportional regulation, expanding access to finance, and strengthening cooperative systems across six continents.

The report underscores WOCCU’s role as the global voice of the credit union movement, delivering measurable impact through international advocacy, global convening and systems leadership.

Three key takeaways from the 2025 Impact Report include:

1. Influencing global policy to expand financial inclusion
   WOCCU elevated the credit union model in global policy conversations, with the G20 recognizing cooperative financial institutions and FATF incorporating WOCCU-backed recommendations into international standards, advancing proportional, risk-based regulation.
   
   
2. Delivering measurable impact in communities worldwide
   WOCCU expanded financial access in Ukraine, Guatemala and Kenya, including 430+ loans totaling $1.2 million, 6,300+ new savings accounts and $2 million in SME lending.
   
   
3. Strengthening the global credit union system through connection and collaboration
   WOCCU convened more than 2,000 participants at WCUC and reached 3,000+ virtually, driving peer exchange and cross-regional learning that is shaping governance and innovation across systems.

Beyond individual programs, the report highlights WOCCU’s broader system-level impact, mobilizing 186 credit unions for a global climate finance study, strengthening peer learning across countries and advancing advocacy efforts that influence how financial systems evolve worldwide.

“The impact reflected in this report is not just about what we achieved in 2025, it’s about the foundation we are building for the future. Through WOCCU 2.0, we are strengthening our ability to amplify advocacy, deliver greater value to our members and demonstrate the cooperative difference on a global scale,” said WOCCU President and CEO, Paul Treinen.

In 2026, WOCCU will build on this momentum through deeper regulatory engagement, expanded partnerships and increased investment in innovation, ensuring credit unions remain at the forefront of delivering inclusive, sustainable financial services worldwide.

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.

Contact: Liz Stanislawski
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: lstanislawski@woccu.org

NOTE: Click on photos to view/download in high resolution.