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CAP Project Helps Ukrainian Credit Unions Take First Step Toward Guaranteeing Member Deposits

WOCCU signs Memorandum of Cooperation with Individual Deposit Guarantee Fund

February 08, 2021

MADISON, Wis.—World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and its Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project have agreed to provide technical assistance and international best practice expertise to Ukraine’s Individual Deposit Guarantee Fund (DGF) in a joint effort to establish a deposit guarantee system for the country’s credit unions.

The CAP Project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the DGF that also lays out a process through which CAP and WOCCU’s team of experts will help draft relevant legal and regulatory acts, while ensuring such a deposit insurance system is also in alignment with the European Union’s (EU) regulatory frameworks that pertain credit unions.

“We are pleased to see the active engagement of the DGF in the development of a sound credit union market in Ukraine. Extending the DGF guarantee for deposits of credit union members will help reach the goal of building a strong and diversified financial sector in the country, especially for consumers,” said Ewa Sierzynska, Chief of Party for the CAP Project.

Since its inception in 2016, the CAP Project has played a central role in providing expertise and coordination to credit unions as the only project solely dedicated to the comprehensive development of the sector in Ukraine.

“Not only will a deposit guarantee system offer better protection for members, the participation of the DGF will also strengthen the regulatory framework for credit unions in line with EU and international standards. Ultimately this will contribute to improved financial services for the citizens of Ukraine,” said Andrew Price, WOCCU’s Senior Vice President of International Advocacy.

The aim is to establish a deposit guarantee system for credit unions by January 1, 2023. Cooperation between CAP and the DGF, in coordination with the National Bank of Ukraine—which regulates the country’s credit union sector—will help ensure an enabling environment for the creation of such a system and strengthen the continued development of Ukraine’s credit union sector.

“I am convinced that our cooperation within the memorandum will help, among other things, to implement the best world approaches in this area,” said Svitlana Rekrut, Managing Director of the Deposit Guarantee Fund.

This document was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by WOCCU for the USAID/Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project in Ukraine, agreement number AID-121-LA-16-00002.







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.

Author Photo
Contact: Greg Neumann
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: gneumann@woccu.org
Phone: +1 608-395-2048
 
CAP Project Chief of Party Ewa Sierzynska (right) signs the MOC with Svitlana Rekrut, Managing Director of the DGF
CAP Project Chief of Party Ewa Sierzynska (right) signs the MOC with Svitlana Rekrut, Managing Director of the DGF

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