WOCCU’s ‘Bold Statement’ for the Future of Credit Unions
The international organization wants to double the reach of credit unions by 50%.
During her “State of the Movement Address” at Monday’s general session of the 2024 World Credit Union Conference, World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) President/CEO Elissa McCarter LaBorde laid out her vision to not only grow the reach of credit unions from 400 million to one billion people, but have that growth include at least 500 million members who are women.
McCarter LaBorde said, “We are putting out a bold statement for gender equity and equality for our movement of the future, and we want you to walk with us as we strive to make this possible.”
According to WOCCU, its Board of Directors endorsed the aggressive set of goals.
McCarter LaBorde’s announcement at the Boston event comes after the Global Women’s Leadership Network gathered credit union gender data from around the globe.
During her speech, she told the conference crowd to prepare themselves to embrace even more innovation to help meet the new membership goals.
“No surprise, we are experiencing an even greater push for innovation at a pace and speed like we have never seen before,” McCarter LaBorde said. “Each of our 100 country contexts present slightly different challenges. But on one thing we agree: The need to reach young people, to counter an aging membership. And on this, we need to do better.”
The World Credit Union Conference runs until Wednesday.