Chairman for the Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF) Mr Tng Ah Yiam and SNCF’s Assistant Chief Executive Officer Ms Adeline Kee led a Singapore delegation to the 2022 World Credit Union Conference (WCUC 2022) at Glasgow, Scotland.

This year’s rendition of WCUC, which took place between 17 and 20 July, is the first in-person event that saw more than 1,600 credit union representatives attending since it was last held in the Bahamas in 2019. Throughout the four-day event, conference attendees from all over the world gather to explore current credit union trends and learn the latest strategies that help solve today’s challenges.  

Besides Mr Tng and Ms Kee, the Singapore delegation comprises members from Registry of Co-operative Societies and four credit co-operatives, including AUPE Credit Co-operative Ltd, Singapore Government Staff Credit Co-operative Society Ltd, Singapore Malay Teachers’ Co-operative Ltd and Singapore Mercantile Co-operative Society Ltd.

Organised by the World Council of Credit Unions and co-hosted by the Association of British Credit Unions, WCUC 2022 featured more than 30 keynote presentations and breakout sessions that covered salient topics, such as digitalisation, cybersecurity, financial inclusion and more.

On 17 July, the Global Women’s Leadership Network Forum brought together women credit union leaders to explore a range of topics around leadership. Ms Laurie Maddalena, Chief Leadership Consultant, Envision Excellence, LLC, delivered the keynote presentation titled: "The Elevated Leader: Determining Your Personal Call to Courage". The forum also featured a panel of women credit union leaders sharing perspectives on how to promote global financial inclusivity, women’s empowerment and narrowing inequality gaps.

On 18 July, the new President and CEO of World Council Ms Elissa McCarter LaBorde delivered her inaugural address. She identified the three major strengths for the global Credit Union movement—numbers, diversity, and disruption —and urged attendees to identify champions who are pioneers in digital finance, climate change and sustainable finance.

The World Council Board also announced Ms Diana Dykstra, the CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues (USA), as its new Board Chair on 19 July. She will helm the board for one year through 2023.

The SNCF delegation had the opportunity to visit Drumchapel Community Credit Union Ltd located at the west of Glasgow. The credit union remains very much community minded and retains much of the old ethos of providing community financial services and access to low-cost credit all who live and work in the common bond. The 4-day conference was concluded with a Scottish theme closing party at the Scottish Event Campus.

It was also announced that the World Council will host WCUC 2023 in Vancouver, Canada from July 23 – July 26. Stay tuned to SNCF for more information.

By Taevia Toh
Edited by Sng Ler Jun

Taevia Toh is a Relationship Manager at SNCF.