Just more than a year after President Donald Trump's freeze on USAID funding forced the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) to slash more than half its workforce and dramatically reduce its budget, President/CEO Paul Treinen said the organization has stabilized and repositioned itself for the future.
Treinen, who returned from retirement to lead the organization through the upheaval, described the transformation as the launch of "WOCCU 2.0", a strategy centered on international advocacy, strengthened member services and a renewed focus on the cooperative difference.
Despite losing the vast majority of its development funding in early 2025, WOCCU has continued projects in Ukraine, Guatemala and Kenya through a global fundraising campaign. At the same time, the organization has expanded its advocacy footprint, particularly in Europe, where it is now proactively drafting legislative language and issuing white papers on artificial intelligence and digital currencies.
Treinen said membership has held steady, and even grown, amid economic pressures, supported by board backing and dues revenue. He said he plans to expand the advocacy team this year.
With unique access to the European Parliament, Basel and the Financial Action Task Force, Treinen argued WOCCU's global regulatory engagement ultimately benefits U.S. credit unions by ensuring the cooperative model remains recognized and protected worldwide.
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