International Credit Union Day celebrated locally, worldwide

To the editor:

On Thursday, Oct. 19, credit unions in our community and worldwide will come together to celebrate International Credit Union Day and the role that financial cooperatives play in improving the communities they serve and the lives of their members the world over.

This year’s theme, “Dreams Thrive Here,” celebrates how credit union and other financial cooperatives serve as catalysts to make different professions, personal choices and career paths real.

All credit unions share a common goal to offer access to affordable financial services to their members and provide even the most financially disadvantaged the tools and the opportunities to be financially self-sufficient. Making life choices and dreams a reality is the credit union difference that makes a real impact in our world.

Credit unions are unique because they are not-for-profit, democratically controlled, member owned cooperatives. Credit unions pool their members’ assets to provide low-cost loans and other financial services in the best interest of the members, not to earn shareholder profits.

The credit union movement’s cooperative spirit is embraced by 231 million members served by more than 68,000 credit unions in 109 countries worldwide.

Stellar member service and democratic control are just some of the many benefits of being a credit union or cooperative member. That’s as true of credit unions here in Brazil as it is in other cooperatively-owned financial institutions from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. Cooperatives and credit unions are founded on community service, a principle that has set them apart for more than 150 years.

This 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 and cooperatives offer members of the Brazil community every day.

Sherry Richard

Branch Manager of Western Indiana Credit Union