The Board of Directors of the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) announced on Monday that interim President/CEO Paul Treinen has been chosen to continue the role in a permanent capacity.

Treinen has served as President/CEO since April 2025, having to navigate the organization through uncertain waters. Among the government cutbacks that racked organizations earlier this year, USAID’s international development funding was cut off, an important source of funding for WOCCU that helped expand credit union outreach and education efforts worldwide.

Despite conducting a formal search, the WOCCU Board ultimately opted to give Treinen the job following his management of the turmoil and inspiring words during the State of the Movement Address at the 2025 World Credit Union Conference in Stockholm, Sweden.

“Seeing the way Paul was so proactive in helping us create a new three-year strategy for the organization; how he presented such a positive view of WOCCU’s future at WCUC 2025; and, perhaps most importantly, the positive feedback we got from staff about his leadership skills—all made us realize we didn’t need to look any further for our next President and CEO,” said Michael Lawrence, WOCCU Board Chair and CEO of the Customer Owned Banking Association (Australia).

In a statement, Treinen said that he was honored to be selected for the position, and will work to create value for members. “I see so much potential for World Council of Credit Unions to help our members achieve greater regulatory certainty with our continued emphasis on international advocacy, while at the same time providing our membership with next level member services, education and engagement opportunities. Our strategy is focused on creating a value proposition that supports the continued growth and success of credit unions and financial cooperatives around the world and then delivering on that promise.”

Treinen took the position of interim President/CEO in April, having previously served for WOCCU as its Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President before retiring in 2023. His appointment was welcomed by President of Worldwide Foundation of Credit Unions Mike Reuter, who hopes for increased collaboration between the two organizations.

The Asian Confederation of Credit Unions will host an Asian Credit Union CEO Workshop in September, which Treinen will attend.