LATHAM, N.Y. - The New York State Credit Union League and the Puerto Rican Cooperitivas have announced their partnership and described it as "a commitment to mutual assistance and a framework for a relationship that will stretch into the future." The new partnership also includes the World Council of Credit Unions. WOCCU's Victor Coro, international partnerships manager said the alliance "represents the best of the commitment of `people helping people' made by credit union movements throughout the world." Commenting on the new partnership, NYSCUL President/CEO William Mellin said the League was excited about the potential benefit to New York credit unions the agreement between the two groups will offer, "especially to those credit uions that serve areas with a high Puerto Rican population." Last week five representatives from Puerto Rican Cooperitivas visited the League's offices to continue a discussion that was begun in November 2004 about core services. The two groups also explored business opportunities with the League's affiliates and Empire Corporate FCU. The representatives also toured a branch of SEFCU and Sunmark FCU and had the opportunity to get a first hand look at operations at both CUs and learn about each CU's history, mission, core values, products and services, rates, growth and best practices.