ST. LOUIS – Missouri Credit Union Association leaders met with members of the Barbados Cooperative and Credit Union League during a visit to the country June 15-20 in the first step of the MCUA's recently formed International Partnership with the World Council of Credit Unions and BCCUL. The WOCCU program is designed to promote mutual growth and a knowledge of exchange between U.S. credit union associations and those of developing nations. Representing MCUA at the meeting were President/CEO Rosie Holub, Chairman Hal James, and MCUA SVP of Credit Union Development Don Cohenour. They were joined by WOCCU Program Specialist Victor Corro. During the week, the Missouri delegation met with Barbados League staff, attended the annual meeting of Barbados' largest credit union – Barbados Public Workers' Cooperative Credit Union, made several visits to Barbadian CUs and brances, and signed the official partnership program agreement. Missouri and Barbados have formally established four target areas for the partnership: shared branching, ATM availability and deployment, debit/credit cards, and public/legislative advocacy. Holub said the meeting "was an opportunity for us to learn more about the Barbados Cooperative and Credit Union League and credit union operations in Barbados." James noted the many similarities between CUs in Barbados and the U.S. "Their members' needs and the competition they face from other financial institutions is virtually the same as what our credit unions deal with. The partnership we have created has the potential to significantly improve the ability of all Barbadian credit unions to continue strong growth and meet the financial needs of their members." Barbadian credit union leaders plan to visit Missouri Sept. 26-Oct. 2.