On Thursday, October 17, Wisconsin's credits unions and credit unions worldwide will come together to celebrate International Credit Union Day (ICU Day) and the role that financial cooperatives play in improving the communities they serve and the lives of their members. This year’s theme is “One World Through Cooperative Finance” and speaks to how credit unions and other community-based financial cooperatives are still bringing people together in these divided times to foster financial inclusion and well-being for all.
ICU Day 2024 is a celebration of the impact credit unions and other financial cooperatives have made—and continue to make—for their members. It is also a chance to be thankful for the lives and communities that have been improved by The Credit Union Movement.
All credit unions share a common mission to offer their members access to affordable financial services and provide even the most financially disadvantaged the tools and the opportunities to be financially self-sufficient. Making dreams a reality is the positive impact The Credit Union Difference makes in our world, and it is made possible due to credit unions' unique structure as not-for-profit cooperative financial institutions owned by their members instead of shareholders. The Credit Union Movement’s cooperative spirit is embraced by 403 million members served by more than 82,000 credit unions in 98 countries worldwide.
In Wisconsin, 111 credit unions serve over 3.8 million members, and--in 2023 alone--helped members save $277 million in loan rates, $225 million in savings rates, and $18 million in banking fees. They also returned $19 million directly to members in patronage or bonus dividends.
This year, we celebrate 76 years of International Credit Union Day. We hope everyone will join us in celebrating The Credit Union Difference, our proud cooperative heritage, and the wonderful opportunities credit unions offer throughout Wisconsin and the world every day.