October 20, 2022, will mark the 74th anniversary of International Credit Union Day. This year’s theme is “Empower Your Financial Future with a Credit Union,” which shines a spotlight on the work credit unions do to help members achieve financial well-being.

Globally, credit unions will be celebrating the success of the credit union movement and collaborating to raise awareness of its “People-not-Profit” philosophy. Financial well-being for all is the cornerstone of the movement and throughout their history, credit unions have helped empower its members to attain their financial goals.

The movement began in the 1840s as a democratic consumer cooperative by weavers in Rochdale, England. Frustrated by bankers who denied them loans simply because they weren’t wealthy, the weavers and workers decided to pool their incomes and loan money to each other. In time, this cooperation put each member on solid financial ground and encouraged their own businesses to flourish.

The need for equitable financial institutions grew and, in 1971, the World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. (WOCCU) was created to help establish and maintain viable credit union movements. It has become the leading voice for advocacy and governance on behalf of the international credit union community.

Today, over 375 million people are served by credit unions in 118 countries and 6 continents.

Visit any branch location on Thursday, October 20th to celebrate International Credit Union Day. We'll have cake, pens, and chip clips, while supplies last.