Inspiring Hope for a Global Community’ the global credit union sector celebrates International Credit Union Day

Monday 15 January 2024

Today, the global credit union movement is celebrating International Credit Union Day with the theme of ‘Inspiring Hope for a Global Community’.  Since 1948, the annual event has been raising global awareness of the credit union movement through outreach, volunteering, fundraising and other themed activities.  

Commenting on this year’s theme, ABCUL CEO, Robert Kelly said: “On behalf of everyone at ABCUL we wish our credit union family a Happy International Credit Union Day. This year’s theme is as relevant as it ever could be in terms of the global pandemic we’re all living through at the moment. Credit unions across the country have gone above and beyond to support members at this time, so I’d ask them to enjoy today and thank them for the work they do all year round to increase financial resilience in our communities”. 

Credit unions in Britain, in common with their counterparts around the world, have stepped up this year in the face of adversity and not only continued to provide essential financial services but even extended them and introduced new ones that meet the needs of the communities they serve. Serve & Protect Credit Union introduced a Wellbeing Callback service, LASER Credit Union stayed open throughout lockdown in order that they could serve its most vulnerable members, Plane Saver Credit Union donated £5,000 to its charitable partner, Friends of Plane Saver Credit Union to enable it to support key charities providing essential services to communities across the country at this time and Bradford District Credit Union supported workers financially struggling because of furlough or have lost their job due to the pandemic can apply for a £500 payment that is made of up a £50 grant and a £450 interest free loan.   

In a special video message, World Council of Credit Unions, CEO & President, Brian Branch said:  “When I hear the stories of how credit unions across Great Britain have continued to provide a vital service to members of their communities, it typifies this year’s theme of inspiring hope in a global community. In a year like no other, credit unions can embrace this day to celebrate how they are different, and that difference they make in the lives of their members.”