The World of Credit Unions Prague – 1st March 2017 Paul A Jones PhD Research Unit for Financial Inclusion Liverpool John Moores University

What is a Credit Union? Credit unions are democratic, member-owned financial cooperatives Credit unions exist to serve their members and communities. Credit unions are safe, convenient places to access affordable financial services.

Credit unions world wide – 2015 222,000,000 Members 60,647 Credit Unions 109 Countries Canada – 694 credit unions – 43% penetration USA –6,399 credit unions – 47% penetration Australia – 101 credit unions – 30% penetration Jamaica – 38 credit unions – 51% penetration Ghana – 476 credit unions – 3.9% penetration Ireland – 479 credit unions – 75% penetration Great Britain – 378 credit unions – 3% penetration

World Council of Credit Unions Global trade association and development agency WOCCU WOCCU is founded on the belief that all people have the right to affordable, reliable and accessible financial services. Credit unions in Europe

Credit unions in action Credit unions in Ecuador Ecuador Youth savings programme Ghana Community Choice Credit Union US

European origins of credit unions Credit co-operatives originated in Germany in the 1840’s and evolved in three general directions: European Co-operative Banks France, Germany, Netherlands Small Savings Co-ops Italy, Greece North American Model Britain, Ireland, Poland, Romania, Eastern Europe Spread throughout the world Came to Britain via immigrants coming to London in the 1960s and then via Ireland

Economic Goals “Not for profit, not for charity, but for service” Profits (surplus) go to the member Giving people a better deal on financial services Providing financial services to people excluded by the for-profit sector Creating jobs in the community

Social Goals “People helping people” Giving people control over their financial destiny Mutual self-help and reliance Building community Education in the wise use of money Instilling democratic and co-operative values

Credit unions in Britain London Mutual Credit Union Hull and East Yorkshire Credit Union Enterprise Credit Union, Merseyside South Manchester Credit Union Community Development Credit Unions in the US National Federation of CDCUs

Credit unions are co-operatives National Credit Union Foundation NCUF website