World Council of Credit Unions Makes Paul Treinen its Permanent President and CEO

Friday 29 August 2025

This week, the World Council of Credit Union (WOCCU) named Paul Treinen as permanent President and CEO.

Treinen took over that role on an interim basis in April and has since helped WOCCU navigate the financial difficulties caused by the termination of USAID’s international development funding; worked with the Board to establish a new strategy that emphasizes core trade association activities such as international advocacy and member engagement; and in July inspired thousands of global credit union professionals with a forward-looking State of the Movement Address at the 2025 World Credit Union Conference in Stockholm, Sweden.

“The Board had already begun the formal process of conducting a thorough search for a new leader. But seeing the way Paul was so proactive in helping us create a new three-year strategy for the organization; how he presented such a positive view of WOCCU’s future at WCUC 2025; and, perhaps most importantly, the positive feedback we got from staff about his leadership skills—all made us realize we didn’t need to look any further for our next President and CEO,” said Michael Lawrence, WOCCU Board Chair and CEO of the Customer Owned Banking Association (Australia).

Treinen originally retired from WOCCU in 2023, following a distinguished seven-year career as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, before agreeing to come back as interim President and CEO.

“This is a great honor. I see so much potential for World Council of Credit Unions to help our members achieve greater regulatory certainty with our continued emphasis on international advocacy, while at the same time providing our membership with next level member services, education and engagement opportunities. Our strategy is focused on creating a value proposition that supports the continued growth and success of credit unions and financial cooperatives around the world and then delivering on that promise. Working hand in hand with Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, we are committed to bringing year-round opportunities to respond to the varying needs our membership,” said Treinen.

Matt Bland, Chief Executive of ABCUL, said: ““On behalf of everyone at ABCUL, we welcome Paul’s appointment as permanent President and CEO of the World Council of Credit Unions.

“Paul’s long service and deep commitment to strengthening credit unions in the US and across the world means he brings invaluable experience at a crucial time for the movement. I look forward to learning from him and working closely together in the years ahead to support the continued growth of the sector here in Great Britain as part of a strong and united global network.”