On Thursday, October 21, 2021, Credit Union’s around the world will be celebrating International Credit Union Day! This is an exciting day for us, and we’re so excited to share it with you!
So, what is International Credit Union Day anyway?
International Credit Union Day, commonly known as “ICU Day”, is an event where credit unions across the nation and world raise awareness and celebrate what makes our credit unions so unique. It also highlights the number of ways credit unions help members improve their financial health and well-being.
The Credit Union philosophy of “people helping people” has been shown in action for more than 100 years, when credit unions provide access to affordable financial products and services to communities in need.
This year's ICU Day theme, “Building financial health for a brighter tomorrow,” reflects the way credit unions contribute to a brighter future by working to improve members' financial well-being. It is at the heart of the mission and structure of credit unions. The essence of this commitment is reflected in each institution's bylaws and it's something credit unions have been doing for over a century.
Check out The Credit Union National Association’s 2021 ICU Day Video here.
At CSE we pride ourselves as one of the many wonderful Credit Unions whose mission is to help all people within our community achieve financial success with sound financial products, outstanding service, and providing our members and community with financial education and counseling. We feel this helps us stand out from other financial institutions that see customers as numbers on a spreadsheet. We work with our members in their financial journey to truly do what’s best for them.
There are a number of other things that make Credit Unions unique, which can easily be shown through The Credit Union Cooperative Principles that we live and breathe every single day in our business and communities. Read a little bit about each cooperative principle below to truly see how Credit Unions put members first.
The Credit Union Cooperative Principles:
VOLUNTARY & OPEN MEMBERSHIP
Credit unions are voluntary, not-for-profit financial cooperatives, offering services to people willing to accept the responsibilities and benefits of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
DEMOCRATIC MEMBER CONTROL
Credit unions are democratic organizations owned and controlled by their members. Each member gets one vote, no matter their financial status, to help make the organization’s policies and decisions.
MEMBER ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION
Members are the owners of their credit union and contribute to its capital. Members, not shareholders, benefit from their credit union’s profits in proportion to their relationship and use of its products and services.
AUTONOMY & INDEPENDENCE
Credit unions are independent, self-reliant organizations controlled by their member-owners, not outside stockholders. When making business deals or raising money, credit unions never compromise their autonomy or democratic member control.
EDUCATION, TRAINING & INFORMATION
Credit unions provide education and training for members, elected representatives, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the cooperative. Credit unions place particular importance on educational opportunities for their volunteer directors, and financial education for their members.
COOPERATION AMONG COOPERATIVES
Credit unions serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative principles by working with other cooperatives through local, state, regional, national, and international structures.
CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY
While focusing on member needs, credit unions work for the sustainable development of communities, including people of modest means, through policies developed and accepted by the members.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Credit unions support diversity, equity, and inclusion as a shared credit union cooperative principle and continue to have a responsibility and take a leadership role in building and serving more diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities.
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