International Credit Union Day

Credit Unions: Building financial health for a brighter tomorrow

On Thursday, Oct. 21, credit unions in our community and worldwide will come together to celebrate International Credit Union Day® and the role that financial cooperatives play in improving the communities they serve and the lives of their members the world over. This year’s theme is “Building financial health for a brighter tomorrow.” It speaks to how the COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge the financial well-being of credit union members around the globe—and how credit unions are responding to that challenge by working with those members to help them rebuild their livelihoods.

ICU Day 2021 is a celebration of the impact credit unions and other financial cooperatives have made—and continue to make for their members. It is also a chance to be thankful for the lives and communities that have been improved by our movement.

All credit unions share a common goal to offer access to affordable financial services to their members and provide even the most financially disadvantaged the tools and the opportunities to be financially self-sufficient. Making life choices and dreams a reality is the credit union difference that makes a real impact in our world.

Credit unions are unique because they are not-for-profit, democratically controlled, member-owned cooperatives. Credit unions pool their members’ assets to provide low-cost loans and other financial services in the best interest of the members, not to earn shareholder profits. The credit union movement’s cooperative spirit is embraced by 291 million members served by more than 86,000 credit unions in 118 countries worldwide.

Stellar member service and democratic control are just some of the many benefits of being a credit union or cooperative member. That is as true of First Rate Credit Union as it is in other cooperatively owned financial institutions from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. Credit unions and other financial cooperatives are founded on community service, a principle that has set them apart for more than 150 years.

This year we celebrate 73 years of International Credit Union Day®. We hope everyone will join us in celebrating the credit union difference, our proud cooperative heritage and the wonderful opportunities credit unions and other financial cooperatives offer members of the community every day.

First Rate Credit Union exclusively serves the people of BAE Systems but is proud to be a part of the global movement for good.