Ukrainian Crisis Response
Stay updated on the state of
Ukraine's credit union system
World Council created this page as a resource for the latest news and information about how credit unions in Ukraine are faring in the face of the Russian invasion, and how the worldwide credit union movement is responding to help them. All of the content is provided by World Council, its members, or their affiliated credit unions and financial cooperatives. To share information from your organization on this page, please email us at communications@woccu.org. To make a donation to to Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions' Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund, click here.
2024-08-19
USAID-funded Laptops Delivered to Ukrainian Credit Unions
The USAID/WOCCU Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project in Ukraine this month held a formal meeting with partner credit unions to present them with laptops purchased by USAID.
Read More2024-08-08
Dairy Farm Becomes More Financially Sustainable Thanks to Liquidity Fund Loan
Oleksandr Lishchuk runs a dairy farm in Lviv Oblast with 130 cows that produce 1.5 tons of milk each day.
Read More2024-08-07
Family Strawberry Farm in Ukraine Receives Vital Support Through Credit Union
Gaining access to affordable business loans is a challenge for many small family farms in Ukraine. Interest rates are high, and the lack of a credit history limits their opportunities for financing.
Read More2024-06-13
USAID/WOCCU CAP Project Support Leads to First Credit Union Loan Issued to a Legal Entity in Ukraine
Thanks to long-term advocacy efforts by World Council of Credit Unions' (WOCCU) International Advocacy team and the USAID/WOCCU Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project, Credit Union Anisia in Lviv Oblast issued the very first credit union loan to a legal entity in Ukraine.
Read More2024-05-28
CAP Project Leads Successful Credit Union Study Tour to Croatia
The USAID/World Council of Credit Unions’ (WOCCU) Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project last week led a delegation of Ukrainian credit union professionals on a study tour hosted by the Croatian Association of Credit Unions, WOCCU’s direct member association in Croatia.
Read More2024-05-17
Daughter Fulfills Her Mother's Dream of Opening Grocery Store with Resilience Initiative Loan
Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion made many families unite and develop joint business initiatives to ensure sustainable income within the household. This is the case for Ms. Nadiya and her mother.
Read More2024-03-28
Resilience Initiative Loan Allows for Sustainable Farming in Ukraine
Despite Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, many young Ukrainians – 66% according to a the 2023 report by Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine – do not want to leave the country.
Read More2024-03-28
Regulatory Compliance Accounts for One-Third of Ukrainian Credit Unions’ Operating Expenses
The USAID/World Council of Credit Unions’ (WOCCU) Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project in February presented the findings of its survey that asked Ukrainian credit unions to estimate their costs associated with regulatory compliance and prudential requirements.
Read More2024-03-14
Speech Therapist Opens Office in Rural Ukraine Thanks to WFCU Resilience Initiative Loan
Receiving needed support has often been a challenge for children with psychological and physical illnesses in rural Ukraine due to a lack of government financing. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has only made things worse.
Read More2024-02-26
Liquidity Fund Helps Ukrainian Vegetable Farmer Ensure Food Security for Local Community
Small farmers in Ukraine often lack access to finance to maintain and grow their businesses. This has only become more complicated since Russia launched its full-scale war.
Read More2024-02-20
Resilience Initiative Loan Helps Travel Agent Turn to Hazelnut Farming for Wartime Income
Russia’s full-scale invasion has affected all businesses in Ukraine, making some industries irrelevant and unprofitable, including the tourism sector.
Read More2024-02-07
CAP Project Trains Partner Credit Unions in Ukraine on ‘Cyber Hygiene” Practices
More than 50 employees from Ukrainian credit unions affiliated with the USAID/WOCCU Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project in January participated in “cyber hygiene” training to increase the overall level of digital security at their respective institutions.
Read More2023-11-30
CAP Project Success Story: Credit Unions Help Women Entrepreneurs Meet the Needs of Growing Communities
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine forced many Ukrainians to flee their homes and move from eastern and southern regions to the western regions less affected by the war. With more internally displaced people, entrepreneurs in western areas, such as Khrystyna Romanovska, who runs a grocery store in the village of Krasne, Lviv Oblast, faced the necessity to expand their businesses to meet the needs of their growing communities.
Read More2023-11-21
CAP Project Hosts Two-Day Conference on Opportunities, Challenges Presented by Ukraine’s New Law on Credit Unions
More than 100 credit union representatives from different regions of Ukraine convened in Kyiv, November 16-17, to participate in a USAID/WOCCU Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project conference on how the country’s 2023 Law on Credit Unions will impact the sector moving forward.
Read More2023-11-16
WFCU Resilience Initiative Loan Ensures Access to Medical Care for Children in Rural Ukraine
Providing the children of rural Ukraine with access to quality medicine is one example of how the Resilience Initiative launched by Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) and the USAID/WOCCU Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project helps Ukrainian communities in wartime.
Read More2023-10-25
USAID/WOCCU CAP Project in Ukraine Strengthens Value-Chain Financing for Credit Unions
Due to Russia’s full-scale war, many traditional supply chains in Ukraine were disrupted, leading to the need for building new or restoring existing value chains to bring products from farmers to end-consumers.
Read More2023-09-12
Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Ensures Water for Ukrainian Credit Unions Affected by Kakhovka Dam Destruction
A Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions’ (WFCU) short-term grant program allowed two Ukrainian credit unions to continue operating and serving their communities despite the June 6 destruction of the Kakhovka Dam that caused mass flooding and water supply issues across the southeast portion of the country.
Read More2023-09-01
Woman Entrepreneur Receives First Business Development Loan Funded by WFCU’s $500,000 Resilience Initiative in Ukraine
Affordable financing is key to the business growth of any community. It is now especially crucial in Ukraine, where many people continue to run and expand their businesses despite Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion.
Read More2023-08-28
Ukrainian Credit Unions Increase Assets for First Time in Nearly 2 Years
Credit union assets in Ukraine increased in the second quarter of 2023 for the first time in nearly two years, according to the most recent Non-Bank Financial Sector Overview published Monday by the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU)—the country’s credit union regulator.
Read More2023-08-08
Credit Unions in Ukraine Intend to Finance Sustainable Development Initiatives
The USAID/World Council of Credit Unions’ (WOCCU) Credit for Agriculture Producers’ (CAP) Project and Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) are providing both expertise and financing to help Ukrainian credit unions integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in financial services.
Read More2023-08-03
CAP Project Seeks to Improve the Cybersecurity of Ukrainian Credit Unions
The USAID/World Council of Credit Unions’ (WOCCU) Credit for Agriculture Producers’ (CAP) Project in July trained IT professionals from 13 Ukrainian credit unions and two credit union associations on cybersecurity requirements that are likely to be designed and implemented in 2024 by the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), the country’s credit union regulator.
Read More2023-07-12
CAP Project Partner Credit Unions Surpass 1,000 Loans Provided Through USAID/WFCU Liquidity Fund
Ukrainian credit unions have now issued more than 1,000 loans through the $1 million USAID/Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions’ (WFCU) Liquidity Fund.
Read More2023-06-21
Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Launches Resilience Initiative in Ukraine
Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) this week tapped its Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund for $500,000 to launch a new credit union lending program aimed at assisting vulnerable populations and boosting sustainable development in Ukraine.
Read More2023-05-04
Lithuanian Central Credit Union Supports the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Civilians
In 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine and began a military campaign, Lithuanian Central Credit Union (LCCU) contributed to the “Blue/Yellow” organization, demonstrating its solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
Read More2023-05-04
Lithuanian Credit Union Movement Pioneer Initiates Establishment of "Angels on Wheels" Fund for Ukraine
Angels on Wheels is a Lithuanian charity that collects humanitarian aid for Ukraine and transports it there.
Read More2023-04-30
Ukrainian Family Dairy Farms Grow their Businesses with Credit Union Financing Despite the Ongoing War
Young and motivated, Mariya and Bohdan Zabrodotski are raising three kids while running a 15-cow dairy farm in Volyn Oblast that produces 200 liters of milk per day.
Read More2023-03-28
USAID/WOCCU CAP Project Helps Ukrainian Credit Unions Upgrade Websites and Provide Modern Digital Services to Members
World Council’s Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project in March completed its effort to upgrade the websites of both Ukrainian credit union associations, two central credit unions and 49 individual credit unions in Ukraine.
Read More2023-03-08
A Story of Bravery on International Women’s Day
Oksana Shopina explains her choice to stay in Ukraine and continue to do business during the war very simply: “to pay taxes to Ukraine’s budget and support the military.”
Read More2023-03-01
Ukrainian Ambassador to U.S. Welcomes WOCCU to Embassy to Discuss Future Endeavors
Oksana Markarova, Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, on Tuesday welcomed World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) President and CEO Elissa McCarter LaBorde and representatives from four Ukrainian American credit unions to the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington D.C. to discuss possible avenues of collaboration moving forward.
Read More2023-02-22
The Hardest Winter for Credit Unions in Wartime Ukraine
The full-scale war launched by Russia against Ukraine nearly a year ago has brought horrific loss, destruction devastation to Ukraine's entire credit unions and the communities they serve. Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) could not stand idly by while that continued. Through the establishment of its Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund, WFCU has raised $1.9 million to date thanks to the generous support of our global credit union community.
Read More2023-02-22
PODCAST: One Year of War and the Resilience of Ukrainian Credit Unions
With February 2023 marking the somber one-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Episode 22 of the Global Credit Union Podcast looks back on how several entities have worked with Ukrainian credit unions to keep them resilient and open to members.
Read More2023-02-21
VIDEO: Let's Win Together
Ukrainian credit unions have played a significant role in assisting farmers and vulnerable people since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Read More2023-02-03
Partnership Born on ICU Day Leads to a More Resilient Credit Union in Ukraine
Two CEOs who met while showing the world how they were empowering members on International Credit Union Day are now working together through World Council of Credit Unions’ Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project to build a more resilient credit union in wartime Ukraine.
Read More2023-01-25
Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Launches Three New Grant Programs for Ukraine
Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) in December 2022 disbursed three new grants worth a total of $355,000 from its Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund to help credit unions in Ukraine cover the cost of operating expenses, purchase alternative sources of power and recover the unpaid interest on loans as part of its continuing effort to provide relief amid Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Read More2023-01-04
CAP and Partner Credit Unions Assess Successful Results, Prepare for 2023 as Russian War Continues
Since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, credit unions that partner with World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) Credit for Agriculture Producers' (CAP) Project have issued over 1,100 agricultural loans totaling nearly $2 million—accounting for more than 80% of all agricultural loans issued by Ukrainian credit unions.
Read More2022-12-14
Fayna Poliana: A CAP Project Success Story in Ukraine
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has forced millions of Ukrainians to flee the country and seek temporary protection in Europe and elsewhere. However, many more people decided to stay in Ukraine and continue running their businesses to support the country’s economy, despite threats to their lives and livelihoods. This is what participants of the berry cooperative Fayna Poliana (Файна поляна) in Ternopil Oblast did.
Read More2022-12-08
One of Ukraine's Largest Credit Unions Buoyed by WFCU Assistance
Operating since 1997 in Cherkasy Oblast, a region famous for its vast farm fields and intense grain crop production, Kredyt-Soyuz is one of the largest credit unions in Ukraine, with total assets of $3.5 million. This year, despite Russia’s full-scale war, the credit union still managed to serve their member farmers at pre-war levels thanks to support from Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions.
Read More2022-12-06
Agricultural Lending Bucks Trend, Remains Stable Among CAP Partner Credit Unions
While Russia's war continues to negatively impact the Ukrainian economy, agricultural lending remains a bright spot for credit unions that have partnered with World Council of Credit Union's Credit for Agriculture Producers' (CAP) Project.
Read More2022-11-17
Loan Reimbursements Reach $60,000 for 800 Ukrainian Farmers Through WFCU Program
Since Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) in June tapped its Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund to launch the $100,000 Agricultural Loan Reimbursement Program, the USAID/WOCCU Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project has worked with its partner credit unions to spend $60,000 to reimburse 800 member micro farmers on 10% of their principal payments for agricultural loans taken out between February 24 and September 30.
Read More2022-11-16
CAP Project Coordinates with Polish-American Credit Unions to Provide Ukrainian Credit Union Member Farmers with Equipment to Resume Agricultural Production
As the territories in northern Ukraine were liberated in April by the Ukrainian Army, USAID/WOCCU Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project partner credit unions Koriukivska (Chernihiv Oblast) and Oberig (Zhytomyr Oblast) resumed operations to support their communities.
Read More2022-10-27
Ukrainian Credit Union Challenges Increase Amid Barrage of Russian Shelling
In the Zaporizhzhia Region of Ukraine, the houses of more than 10 employees and members of one credit union have been damaged or destroyed this month due to a substantial increase in shelling by the Russian military.
Read More2022-10-25
Credit Union Member Farmers in Ukraine Receive Free Fuel Through Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions’ Program
More than 17,000 gallons of diesel fuel is being distributed to credit union member farmers in Ukraine free of charge, as part of Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions’ (WFCU) ongoing relief activities there.
Read More2022-10-20
Empowering Women in Ukraine
In recognition of the 74th anniversary of International Credit Union (ICU) Day on October 20, 2022, World Council of Credit Unions' Credit for Agriculture Producers' (CAP) Project shines a light on the bravery of Ukrainian women, many of whom are credit union employees and members.
Read More2022-10-06
WOCCU CAP Project Chief of Party Illustrates Elevated Importance of Credit Unions in Wartime Ukraine at 2022 Cooperative IMPACT Conference
Lessons learned and changes made at the prompting of World Council’s Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project during the COVID-19 pandemic have helped Ukrainian credit unions adapt to the stress and challenges brought on by the country’s war with Russia.
Read More2022-10-06
WOCCU, NCBA CLUSA and COOP Ukraine Meet with USAID to Discuss Role of Cooperatives
With cooperatives playing an important role in supporting the Ukrainian economy since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February, World Council of Credit Unions' (WOCCU) and two other cooperative associations took part in an October 4 meeting with top USAID officials about the role they can further play in Ukraine's eventual recovery and reconstruction.
Read More2022-10-03
CAP Hosts First Face-to-Face Workshop for Credit Unions Since Start of War
World Council of Credit Unions' Credit for Agriculture Producers' (CAP) Project in September returned to providing in-person workshops for its partner credit unions for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
Read More2022-09-07
ILCU International Development Foundation Donates €40,000 to Ukrainian National Association of Savings and Credit Unions (UNASCU)
The Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) International Development Foundation has donated €40,000 to the Ukrainian National Association of Credit Unions (UNASCU) – a national credit union apex body that is also a direct member of World Council of Credit Unions.
Read More2022-08-29
A Story of Credit Union Empowerment from Ukraine
The theme for International Credit Union Day 2022 is "Empower Your Financial Future with a Credit Union."
Read More2022-08-23
Video Shows How Liquidity Fund Helped Ukrainian Farmer Grow Operation
A new video from World Council for Credit Unions' (WOCCU) Credit for Agriculture Producers' (CAP) Project tells the story of how Ms. Vira and her family are managing their dairy farm in Lviv Oblast since Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine started.
Read More2022-08-16
First 100 Ukrainian Farmers Compensated Through WFCU Agricultural Loan Reimbursement Program
A $100,000 loan reimbursement program made possible by Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions’ (WFCU) Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund has already provided targeted aid to 100 farmers facing a food security crisis brought on by Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine.
Read More2022-08-10
Banking Beyond Borders: How an Australian Credit Cooperative is Supporting Ukrainians Displaced by War
Ivanna Bernyk immigrated to Australia from Ukraine 25 years ago, joining the Ukrainian Credit Co-operative, Dnister, as a teller in 2000. Ivanna is now the Credit Co-operative’s Lending and Member Services Executive and says working more than 20 years at the organization was a simple decision thanks to the amazing team, who feel like an extended family.
Read More2022-08-05
NBU: Most Credit Unions Scaled Back Q1 Operations Due to War
According to the National Bank of Ukraine's (NBUs) latest Non-Bank Financial Sector Review, most of the country's credit unions scaled back their operations in the first quarter (Q1) of 2022 due to Russia's full-scale invasion and the subsequent war that continues today.
Read More2022-08-01
Credit Union Member Farmers Provided with Free Vegetable Seeds
The war launched by Russia against Ukraine has impacted small agricultural producers across the country. In addition to the overall uncertainty about the future, supply chains have been greatly disrupted—slowing down or stalling normal agricultural processes.
Read More2022-07-18
WOCCU CAP Project Team Details Credit Union Bravery in Ukraine at World Credit Union Conference
The 2022 World Credit Union Conference on July 18 featured a joint presentation by Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions and the WOCCU Credit for Agriculture Producers’ (CAP) Project on the bravery being exhibited by credit union professionals in Ukraine who are dealing with Russia’s continued assault on their country.
Read More2022-07-17
National Bank of Ukraine Deputy Governor Addresses 2022 World Credit Union Conference Opening Ceremony
GLASGOW, Scotland—A top official from Ukraine’s financial regulatory authority told industry professionals attending the opening ceremony of the 2022 World Credit Union Conference Sunday that Russia’s war against Ukraine has delivered a serious setback to the country’s credit unions.
Read More2022-07-08
WCUC Event: Ukraine's War and the Bravery of the Credit Union Movement
Attendees of the 2022 World Credit Union Conference in Glasgow, Scotland will have the opportunity to see a very special presentation: Ukraine's War and the Bravery of the Credit Union Movement.
Read More2022-06-30
NCUA Delivers Recommendations to National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) and Deposit Guarantee Fund (DGF)
Representatives of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), the United States' credit union regulatory agency, conducted two June briefings on how to charter, regulate and supervise credit unions, implement support programs for small credit unions and build a deposit insurance system for representatives of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) and Ukraine's Deposit Guarantee Fund (DGF).
Read More2022-06-29
$100,000 Allocated to Reimburse Credit Union Member Farmers for Loans
Utilizing an account set up in collaboration with Ridynia, a Ukrainian NGO, a $100,000 grant from Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions' Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund will go to reimburse nearly 600 farmers on 10% of their agricultural loan principal payments.
Read More2022-06-15
Callsign "Bat"
“We all have a unique chance to get rid of Russian-Soviet colonial influence once and for all and build an open, European democracy, with developed social institutions, strong market economy and equal non-discriminatory opportunities for all people living in its territories. We also have the chance to show the real Ukraine and Ukrainians to the world, honest, kind, hard-working, free and with unbroken spirit - the complete opposite of how Russian propaganda tries to portray us,” explains “Bat,” a Ukrainian military officer.
Read More2022-06-09
Creating Value Chain Finance Options for Ukrainian Credit Unions
World Council's Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project in May completed the first phase of an initiative to connect credit unions with select value chains, despite a temporary disruption in activities caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Read More2022-06-07
USAID Ukraine Highlights Success of Joint Liquidity Fund with Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions
Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine has created severe hardships for the country’s farmers, but they remain resilient and determined to deliver this year’s harvest.
Read More2022-05-31
CAP Project Provides Professional Psychological Support for Ukrainian Credit Union Employees
78 Ukrainian credit union professionals on May 18-19 participated in online meetings with a professional psychologist that were set up by World Council of Credit Unions' Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project, a USAID-funded activity.
Read More2022-05-25
CAP Project Makes Strides Despite War in Ukraine
Despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine starting on February 24, World Council of Credit Unions’ Credit for Agriculture for Producers’ (CAP) Project still managed to make strides during the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2022 (January through March), while putting some other activities on hold due to the ongoing war.
Read More2022-05-19
In Ukraine, Credit Unions Are Key to a Sustainable Economic Recovery
That's what Elissa McCarter LaBorde, President and CEO of World Council of Credit Unions, writes about in a new blog post for FinDev Gateway, an independent knowledge platform from Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), where the global financial inclusion community comes together to share the latest research, lessons and ideas on making financial services work for poor people.
Read More2022-05-19
National Bank of Ukraine Governor Puts Physical Asset Losses at $100 Billion
In an interview with The Asahi Shimbun (Japan), National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Governor Kyrylo Shevchenko talks about the Ukrainian banking sector conditions as the war drags on, the economic fallout from Russian aggression, the NBU’s actions to ensure financial stability, and international support.
2022-05-17
Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund Nears $1.4 Million
Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) has now raised $1.37 million for its Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund.
Read More2022-05-10
Help for Ukraine Webinar Available for Viewing on YouTube
World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and the Regional Credit Union Center (RCUC) for Central and Eastern Europe held a joint May 10 virtual event designed to share information about the realities on the ground that credit unions and their members in Ukraine are facing.
Read More2022-05-06
CAP Project Protects Credit Union Data by Moving it Out of Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing destruction of infrastructure in some areas has elevated the material risks for credit unions, including the irretrievable loss of critical databases.
Read More2022-05-03
WOCCU CEO Gives Firsthand Account of Meetings on Ukraine
World Council President and CEO Elissa McCarter LaBorde wrote a firsthand account of her April 20-22 meetings in Poland on the challenges facing Ukrainian credit unions and their members for CUInsight.com.
Read More2022-04-28
Help for Ukraine: A WOCCU and RCUC Virtual Event
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to inflict needless suffering, death and destruction, credit unions in both conflict and non-conflict zones of the country are still striving to serve their members and communities.
Read More2022-04-25
Poland’s Largest Credit Union Offers Multiple Forms of Assistance to Ukrainian Refugees
The largest credit union in Poland is spending its time and money to provide all Ukrainian refugees in the country with easier access to its financial products and services, while assisting some with free housing and schooling as well.
Read More2022-04-22
Ukrainian Consul General to Gdansk Outlines Cost of Russian Invasion and Needs of Agricultural Sector in Meeting with World Council
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has forced 18% of Ukraine's economy to completely shut down, resulting in a national loss of more than US $600 billion to date.
Read More2022-04-21
36 Hours in Rzeszow: A Special Edition of the Global Credit Union Podcast
World Council of Credit Unions' (WOCCU) President and CEO Elissa McCarter LaBorde and members of the WOCCU Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project visited Rzeszow, Poland on April 19 and 20 to hold a series of meetings aimed at exploring ways they can help provide further assistance in Ukraine, where credit unions, their employees and members continue to deal with the tragic consequences of the Russian invasion.
Read More2022-04-18
WOCCU President/CEO to Visit with Ukrainian Credit Union Leaders in Poland
World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) President and CEO Elissa McCarter LaBorde is visiting Poland this week to meet with Ukrainian and Polish credit union leaders about the short- and long-term challenges they face due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Read More2022-04-13
Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund Total Tops $1 Million
In just six weeks, Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) has raised more than $1 million for its Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund.
Read More2022-04-12
Credit Unions in Ukraine Receive Funding from USAID and Worldwide Foundation for Agricultural Lending
USAID and Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions released the second and final disbursement from a $1 million liquidity fund to help partner credit unions affiliated with World Council of Credit Unions’ (WOCCU) Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project resume agricultural lending and support food security in wartime Ukraine.
Read More2022-04-07
Ukrainian Credit Unions Receive Extension on Deadline for Submitting Inspection Results
Due to martial law, the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) on March 31 extended deadlines that credit unions and other non-bank financial institutions face for reporting on any follow-up measures recommended to them during inspections of their institutions over the course of 2022.
Read More2022-04-05
Vizo Financial Raises $62,525 for Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund
Greensboro, N.C. – Vizo Financial Corporate Credit Union was ready and willing to join the Worldwide Foundation of Credit Union’s fundraising efforts for the Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund. In doing so, the corporate credit union raised $62,525 in support of war-torn Ukraine over a period of just four weeks.
Read More2022-04-05
UPDATE: Carolinas Credit Unions Raise $280,000 to Support Ukraine’s Credit Unions
People helping people is a philosophy intrinsic to the credit union movement, and an action most notably on display in recent weeks as credit unions in the Carolinas and across the globe come together to support Ukrainian credit unions.
Read More2022-04-01
Ukrainian Credit Unions Use Digital Communication Tools to Help People Affected by War
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has not only brought suffering to the Ukrainian people, it has also disrupted previously functional communication and transportation channels. In the new reality of wartime Ukraine, digital channels are playing a key role in connecting people and ensuring access to necessities and humanitarian help.
Read More2022-03-31
Romanian Credit Unions Take Individualized Approach to Ukrainian Refugee Situation
The Russian invasion of Ukraine started a constant wave of Ukrainian residents fleeing for neighboring countries. To date, more than four million Ukrainians have fled and are now refugees.
Read More2022-03-29
Together with Partners, PARD Provides Shelter with Necessary Supplies
The following post was written by the Podolian Agency for Regional Development (PARD), a humanitarian aid group providing assistance to internally displaced people in the Vinnytsia region of Ukraine.
Read More2022-03-25
Credit Unions Play Central Role In Supporting Western Ukraine During Wartime
“Credit unions have always been more than just financial institutions. We care about people, not money. In these difficult times for our country, we are all doing our best to help each other and our members" - a leader of the Ukrainian credit union movement.
Read More2022-03-24
National Bank of Ukraine: Credit Union Loan Payments Missed Due to Martial Law Need Not Be Considered Overdue
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) on March 23 adopted a resolution that included a proposal advocated for by World Council of Credit Unions on the issue of managing the problem debts of credit union members during the current crisis.
Read More2022-03-23
Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Salutes Major Donors to the Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund
Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions announced March 23 that nearly 20 organizations in the credit union sector had donated or pledged sums of at least $10,000 to its Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund. Those include:
Read More2022-03-22
Credit Unions Most Impacted by War Still Strive to Serve Members
In light of the Russian invasion, some credit unions in the hardest-hit areas of Ukraine have lost their offices, while many others have had to close offices and suspend in-person operations.
Read More2022-03-17
Ukrainian Credit Union Liaison Discusses Impacts of the Russian Invasion on Episode 11 of The Global Credit Union Podcast
A liaison to Ukraine's credit union movement says there is a presumption that some individual credit unions have been severely damaged or destroyed by Russia's armed forces on Episode 11 of the Global Credit Union Podcast.
Read More2022-03-16
Oregon Credit Union Community Rallies for Ukraine
It’s hard to believe just last summer, there was relative peace in Ukraine, and peace in the hearts of Olena Sheremetyeva’s family. Times were so good, Olena left her Salem, Oregon home with her seven-year-old son Nicholas for a memorable trip to visit his grandparents in Kyiv.
Read More2022-03-15
First Disbursement from Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund Headed to PARD
Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, the charitable and engagement arm of World Council for Credit Unions, will disburse the first $50,000 from its Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund to the Podolian Agency for Regional Development (PARD), a Ukrainian non-governmental organization that is providing humanitarian assistance to hundreds of refugees from Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol, Kherson, Melitopol and other cities who are seeking refuge in the Vinnytsia region of western Ukraine.
2022-03-10
National Bank of Ukraine Applauds Efforts of International Partners to Support Ukrainian Credit Unions
The following post was written by the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), which serves as the country's central bank.
The USAID Credit for Agriculture Producers' Technical Assistance Project in Ukraine (hereinafter – the CAP Project), implemented by World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), has actively joined the National Bank’s efforts to support Ukrainian credit unions.
2022-03-09
Polish Credit Unions Step Up to Support Ukrainians
The National Association of Cooperative Savings and Credit Unions (NACSCU), World Council’s direct member association in Poland, has wasted no time in coordinating efforts to assist Ukrainians in need in both countries.
Read More2022-03-04
World Council Member Association in Ukraine Describes Situation on the Ground
The following update is provided by Lyudmila Kravchenko, Vice President of the Ukrainian National Association of Savings and Credit Unions (UNASCU).
Even in these conditions, the credit unions of Ukraine continue to work and the United Credit Union (UCU) of UNASCU continues lending. In particular, on Monday and Tuesday we issued another two loans under the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions' Liquidity Fund.