WOCCU CEO, Paul Treinen Calls on Global Credit Union Movement to Build for What’s Next

SYDNEY, Australia — World Council of Credit Unions President and CEO Paul Treinen opened Monday’s general session at the 2026 World Credit Union Conference by challenging credit union and financial cooperative leaders to prepare their institutions—and the global movement—for a rapidly changing financial landscape. 

In his address, Building for What’s Next, Treinen drew on conversations with leaders across regions to highlight the shared pressures facing the movement, including regulation, technology, cybersecurity, competition, demographic change and rising member expectations. 

He emphasized that remaining relevant will require credit unions to strengthen global advocacy, embrace innovation without sacrificing trust, deepen collaboration across markets and communicate the cooperative difference more deliberately. 

“We do not have to choose between innovation and identity, or between technology and trust. Our opportunity is to bring all of those together—to use innovation to deepen trust, technology to expand access, growth to strengthen communities and advocacy to protect the cooperative difference," Treinen said.

The Honorable Julia Gillard AC, the 27th Prime Minister of Australia and the first woman to hold that office, also addressed attendees during Monday morning’s plenary session. 

The day continued with several breakout sessions examining the challenges and opportunities shaping credit unions and financial cooperatives worldwide. 

During How Geopolitics Are Affecting Credit Unions and How to Address the Challenges, speakers examined how trade restrictions, sanctions, shifting payment systems, cybersecurity threats and growing political fragmentation are affecting credit unions and their members. The discussion explored how cooperative financial institutions can respond by strengthening risk planning, protecting global interoperability and adapting to members’ increasingly borderless financial lives and expectations.

Another session, Enhancing the Cross-Border Payment Member Experience Through Credit Unions, explored how credit union-to-credit union collaboration and strategic partnerships can reduce the cost, complexity and access barriers associated with cross-border remittances. Speakers shared lessons from a digital remittance pilot involving Visa, WOCCU, Unitus Community Credit Union and MICOOPE, along with practical guidance to help other financial cooperatives implement member-centered solutions.

“In this pilot, we have proven that the process, technology, and security are in place to connect credit union members from Guatemala through international remittances to the rest of the world. This opens the door for financial inclusion goals to be realized worldwide,” said Steven Stapp, President and CEO of Unitus Community Credit Union. 

Monday concluded with WFCU UnWind at the Sydney Opera House, bringing attendees together at one of Australia’s most recognizable landmarks. A full release highlighting the event will be issued Tuesday by Worldwide Foundation of Credit Unions.

The 2026 World Credit Union Conference continues throughout the week with keynote presentations, breakout sessions and strategic discussions focused on strengthening the global credit union movement and preparing institutions for what comes next. 

World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is the global trade association for the credit union movement, advancing cooperative finance worldwide. Through advocacy, education and more than 300 technical assistance programs in 90 countries, WOCCU advances financial inclusion and strengthens cooperative finance across diverse markets. Globally, more than 60,000 credit unions across over 100 countries serve more than 412 million people and hold over $3.8 Trillion (USD) in assets. Learn more at www.woccu.org.

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

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