Celebrating the 75th ICU Day

In a world seemingly dominated by commercial banks and other financial behemoths, credit unions stand as a unique and enduring pillar of financial stability and community empowerment. This year marks the 75^th anniversary of International Credit Union Day, recognizing the history of the credit union movement and reflecting on its achievements and the shared member experience. Born from the need for economic solidarity and access to financial services, credit unions serve as a testament to the resilience of cooperative financial institutions.

Emergence in 19th Century Europe

The credit union movement traces its roots to 19th-century Europe, with Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen, a German mayor, as one of its earliest pioneers. Raiffeisen witnessed the poverty and economic hardship faced by farmers in his community and sought a solution. In 1864, he established the first credit union in Anhausen, Germany, which operated under the principles of self-help and mutual assistance.

Around the same time, in 1844, a group of weavers in Rochdale, England, founded the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers, often considered the world’s first consumer cooperative. Although not a credit union in the traditional sense, it laid the groundwork for cooperative principles later adopted credit unions.

 

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