CU News From Around the Planet
LONDON—With U.S. consumers and credit union members continuing to buy cryptocurrencies, crypto companies based outside the European Union. will only be able to directly serve customers within the bloc under very limited conditions to avoid unfair competition, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is proposing.
MONTREAL, Quebec–Desjardins Group, a federation of credit unions (known as caisses populaires) primarily in Quebec, has announced plans to cut its branches and ATMs by approximately 30% through 2027.
MADISON, Wis.—Calling it the “boldest step put forth yet” to achieve its Challenge 2025 goals, the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) said it has launched a new initiative that allows credit unions in emerging markets to test innovative digital products and solutions that could benefit members and attract new members.
WASHINGTON—The United States' slow progress on central bank digital currencies is seeing it fall behind the likes of China, India and the European Union on the future of money, a think tank is warning.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand—The World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is reporting its SVP-international advocacy and general counsel, Andrew Price, has traveled to this country at the request of First Credit Union (NZ) to meet with key policymakers on “reforms that will improve and strengthen the country’s credit union sector.”
TORONTO, Canada–Canada’s small businesses are saying they are happier with the financial services they receive from credit unions than they are from the country’s five largest banks, according to a new survey from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
MADISON, Wis.—The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU), in partnership with World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), said it will be accepting applications through April 12 from Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs) interested in obtaining the International Credit Union Development Educators (ICUDE) designation.
DEVON, U.K.–A group of housing associations in southwestern United Kingdom is working to helping residents build financial stability by partnering with a credit unions to offer affordable loans and savings products.
LONDON—Almost one-quarter of users of buy now, pay later (BNPL) financing in the United Kingdom have been charged late repayment fees, with younger consumers hit hardest, according to new research.
HAMILTON, Ontario–In a preview of a trend that will likely soon be arriving at credit unions in the U.S., FirstOntario Credit Union said it is partnering with Everlink and Flinks to provide its members with open banking services.
