New Zealand credit union leader, Wisconsin CU League confer on CU issues

PEWAUKEE. Wis. - New Zealand is thousands of miles from Wisconsin, but credit unions have brought the two closer together. "It's amazing that the same issues credit unions are facing here, they're facing in New Zealand," said Wisconsin Credit Union league's Vice President of Public Affairs Evan Bane, Bane spent much of his time July 12 with Doug McLaren, chief executive of the New Zealand Association of Credit Unions. McLaren was in the U.S. for the World Council of Credit Unions' annual conference in Nashville. But his first stop was in Wisconsin for a tour of the Wisconsin CU League's office as part of a program sponsored by WOCCU, to support international credit union development and strengthen credit unions worldwide. During his visit with the league, McLaren reviewed the structure, operations, and products and services offered by the state's credit unions and the league. When it came to talking about issues such as credit union consolidation, regulation and restrictions on credit union growth, the two men found they had lots to talk about. "There are almost identical to the issues almost every league, and certainly ours, is wrestling with today," said Bane. "This commonality of purpose and concern really allowed Doug and me to connect and share some good ideas." Eighty-one CUs belong to the New Zealand credit union movement. They are split about 40% open or community chartered, and the rest closed chartered. Bane said McLaren predicts that in the next several years, almost all the credit unions in New Zealand will be open chartered. "It's just a matter of the changes in the economy and consumer needs," Bane said. -ekingoff@cutimes.com