International Credit Union Day 2025

International Credit Union Day (ICU Day) has been celebrated on the third Thursday of October since 1948 and is designed to create awareness and celebrate the ways credit unions improve our members' lives. Stop by your local branch on Thursday the 16th for goodies and festivities to celebrate with us.

 

2025 celebrates 77 years of ICU Day under the theme “Cooperation for a Prosperous World.” With the United Nations declaring 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives under the theme “Building a Better World Together,” the ICU Day 2025 theme purposefully mirrors that to signify the ways credit unions help people across the globe achieve more prosperity and well-being through cooperative finance.

What makes credit unions unique?

Credit unions bring trustworthy and affordable financial services to areas not typically served by more traditional financial institutions or commercial banks. Expanding services to underserved areas gives members an opportunity to improve their lives.

• Equal Ownership—Credit unions are democratically controlled, member-owned, and member-operated. Each member has equal ownership and one vote regardless of how much money he or she has in savings.
• Not-for-Profit – Credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives that provide a safe, convenient place for members to save money and access loans and other financial services at reasonable rates.
• Social Purpose: People Helping People – Credit unions exist to serve their members, not to make a profit. Every member counts, including those of modest means. This “people-first” philosophy compels credit unions and their employees to get involved in their community and support worthwhile causes.
• Volunteer Leadership – Each credit union is governed by a volunteer board of directors elected by and from the credit union’s membership.
• Financial Education for Members – Credit unions place particular importance on educational opportunities for their members and the public to help everyone become better-educated consumers of financial services.
• Trust – Lately credit unions have received positive press for being trustworthy and resilient institutions during a tumultuous time. Credit union members worldwide can be proud of these accomplishments and rest assured that their money is safe at the credit union.