International Advocacy

Resource Center

 

Advocacy in Action 

Learn about the potential regulatory changes our team is tracking on behalf of the global credit union movement, the issues they are proactively raising to the international standard setting bodies and the ways they are connecting with our members around the world to ensure a level playing field for all credit unions and financial cooperatives.

 

Trending Now

A Pivotal Crossroads

In 2026, the financial services sector finds itself at a pivotal crossroads where traditional market drivers are increasingly eclipsed by the reality and gravity of global geopolitics. For financial institutions, this shift means that regulatory compliance is no longer just about financial stability or consumer protection; it is now a front-line instrument of statecraft, with sanctions, tariffs, and investment restrictions serving as primary tools for navigating great-power competition.

2026 Global Regulatory Update Webinar

WOCCU International Advocacy hosted a virtual event earlier this year, talking more in depth about the 2026 Global Regulatory Update. From stablecoins to digital assets to anti-money laundering, 2026 is shaping up to be as active as ever. You can now watch a recording of this webinar to learn about the developments likely to impact the global credit union movement in the months ahead.

Advocacy Named Top Priority

WOCCU Board Chair Michael Lawrence (Australia) promoted International Advocacy as job one for the organization in a July 14 speech that detailed a new three-year strategy for the organization at the 2025 World Credit Union Conference in Stockholm, Sweden.

 

Thought Leadership

See how WOCCU and its partners are proactively setting the tone for international financial standards by getting in front of the key regulatory issues credit unions are facing today and in the future.

Policy Statement

Advancing Climate Resilience and Sustainability Through Cooperative Finance

Credit unions are increasingly recognizing climate change as both a financial risk and an opportunity to strengthen resilience. As community-focused institutions, they play a critical role in helping members adapt and access sustainable financial solutions.

Through advocacy and global knowledge-sharing, the World Council of Credit Unions is supporting credit unions in navigating risk and building a more resilient, inclusive economy.

Letter

WOCCU Urges Proportionate Regulation for European Credit Unions and Financial Cooperatives

World Council of Credit Unions submitted a letter to the European Commission urging policymakers to ensure that efforts to strengthen the competitiveness of Europe’s banking sector recognize the unique role of credit unions and financial cooperatives.

The letter, submitted by Paul Andrews, WOCCU’s Vice President of International Advocacy, emphasizes the need for proportionate regulation based on institutional size and risk profile; protection of cooperative financial models and member-owned governance; support for financial inclusion, community-based lending and digital accessibility; and policies that preserve local economic resilience while avoiding excessive market consolidation or one-size-fits-all rules designed for large commercial banks.

Whitepaper

The Ethical Use of AI for Credit Unions

As more credit unions embrace powerful AI tools, they face a critical challenge: ensuring AI deployment aligns with their foundational member-focused mission and ethical standards. Paul Andrews wrote about that in his latest article for CUInsight.

Report

2026 Global Regulatory Update

Geopolitics will dominate the financial services sector in 2026.  In this year’s Global Regulatory Outlook, learn how this will impact

  1. the accelerating adoption of AI;
  2. the fast evolving landscape of digital money; and
  3. a move towards deregulation.
    Whitepaper

    The Use of Alternative Means of Identification

    More and more credit unions are embracing the use of alternative means of member identification to help address the gap between the unbanked and underbanked who may not possess government issued IDs. They are also doing so to promote financial inclusion as a driver of sustainable development.

     

    Advocating Around The Globe

    International Symposium on Cooperative Financial Institutions

    Erin O’Hern, WOCCU Senior Director of International Advocacy and Regulatory Counsel, recently joined cooperative finance leaders at the International Symposium on Cooperative Financial Institutions at United Nations Headquarters in New York, where she discussed emerging governance issues and regulatory challenges facing financial cooperatives. Her remarks reinforced WOCCU’s call for proportionate, “think small first” regulation that recognizes the unique structure of cooperative financial institutions and the communities they serve.

    WCUC 2025

    Our WOCCU International Advocacy team hosted a record seven breakout sessions on advocacy and regulatory policy at the 2025 World Credit Union Conference in Stockholm, Sweden, July 14-16. Paul Andrews also conducted a video interview with Tom Neylan, Head of Policy for the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), that was shown in the July 15 general session.

    European Network of Credit Unions

    WOCCU Vice President of International Advocacy Paul Andrews recently joined members of the European Network of Credit Unions in Warsaw, Poland, for discussions on governance, regulation and the future of credit unions across Europe. The visit highlighted the importance of regional collaboration and continued dialogue with regulators to ensure credit unions have a strong voice in regulatory conversations shaping the movement.

     

    Guides and Manuals

    Model Law on Credit Unions

    The Model Law for Credit Unions provides a sample legislative framework to movement leaders, legislators, regulators and others in preparing and seeking approval of laws that will strengthen the safety and soundness of credit unions without imposing unreasonable regulatory burdens.