For 76 years, credit unions around the world—along with CUSOs, vendors, members, and other credit union supporters—have celebrated the cooperative spirit and all that makes credit unions special by celebrating International Credit Union Day.

Created by the Credit Union National Association (now America’s Credit Unions—though the organization has since stepped back and left the event in the hands of its co-founder) and the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) in 1948 with the mission to “Celebrate the spirit of the global credit union movement. The day is recognized to reflect upon the credit union movement’s history, promote its achievements, recognize the hard work, and share member experiences.”

Celebrated annually on the third Thursday of October, each year has a unique theme that focuses on a different aspect of credit unions, a mission for credit unions and the industry as a whole to aim for throughout the year. The first year’s theme was simple and to the point: “Now is the time to build a better world through credit unions,” which aimed to bring attention and awareness to the credit union movement, which was only 39 years old in 1948. The theme for 2024 is “One World Through Cooperative Finance.”

One World Through Cooperative Finance

According to the World Council of Credit Unions, the theme for the year was selected  At a time in our history when we seem increasingly divided, we hope our credit unions use the 76th anniversary of ICU Day to show how our movement brings people closer together through democratic, member-owned financial institutions that put people over profit.”

In preparation for the day, the World Council of Credit Unions released their findings from the 2023 Statistical report, which highlights credit union membership and growth worldwide. At the end of 2023, the credit union movement was officially 411,008,249 members strong, spanning over 104 countries.

The report also notes that over the past decade, the industry has grown by 89% total, with Asia, Latin America, and Africa seeing especially large amounts of growth: 230%, 96%, and 116% retrospectively.

This information is an essential reminder as we head into this year’s festivities, that no matter how unique our communities and their needs may be, credit unions around the world are working every day to achieve the same goal: helping their members achieve their financial goals. No matter the differences, credit unions around the world all united through their mission of people helping people.

Festivities all around the world

As per usual, credit unions, advocacy groups, and CUSOs around the world are not going to let International Credit Union day go by without all the pomp and circumstance the occasion calls for. In the 75 years of celebration and commemoration since its inception, credit unions and credit union advocacy groups around the world have eagerly and enthusiastically championed the event by volunteering, donating, and hosting events in their own communities, and this year is no different.

Whether in person, online, or via social media, there’s no limit to how credit unions can share the excitement with their members. Some, such as Georgia Heritage FCU, River Valley Credit Union, and kstate CREDIT UNION are offering snacks, drinks, freebies, and giveaways at their branches all day long, while others like Park City Credit Union are hosting a social media game for members to participate in.

Some even ventured out of the confines of the credit union to celebrate the day, volunteering in their communities. One passionate credit union advocate, Thomas Hazelton, in Canada, went out into his community to test people’s knowledge of credit unions. You can see the full video here. Numerous other credit unions are also finding ways to celebrate with their members, in both large and small ways, proving their commitment to community. How will your credit union celebrate International Credit Union Day this year?

Looking back at past themes

With 76 years of International Credit Union Day under our belt, and nearly just as many themes (it didn’t become a tradition to have a theme for the year until 1960), take some time today to reflect on these past ideas. Each one of them marks a mission, goal, or hope of the industry and is not something we should forget after the day ends. How does your credit union fit these ideas and themes into its mission and day-to-day activities?

For more information on ICU Day, visit the official site.