MADISON, Wis. – Mexico's largest credit union is one step closer to a computer system that will connect its 326 branches. Through the World Council of Credit Unions' People to People Partnership, Mexico's Caja Popular Mexicana (CPM) discussions are underway to implement a new computer system that will centralize the credit union's database, expand communication by linking branches together, make creation of new products easier, manage technological risk and respond to the future needs of CPM. CPM serves more than 700,000 members and has $600 million in assets. The credit union says it processes 4.2 million transactions a month. Representatives from the WOCCU, the Texas Credit Union League and California Credit Union League recently traveled to Leon, Mexico to work with CPM's information technology managers. The total cost of the new computerized system is an estimated $20 million for planning and implementation. At the completion of the three-day exchange, the U.S. delegation presented CPM with their recommendations on the software vendors that best fit their needs and specific tasks that would help them have a successful implementation, said Steve Schaefer, WOCCU technical officer. "CPM followed an extremely detailed process and a well prepared plan for implementing the new system," Schaefer said. "They were grateful for the technical assistance provided by the team and we also learned a great deal from CPM's planning process." "This exchange shows the value of the partnerships. WOCCU was happy to be a facilitator in bringing expertise to the table for our members," said Arthur Arnold, WOCCU president/CEO. World Council and the Texas and California Credit Union Leagues will continue to assist in an advisory role in the roll out of the new system, he added.