We work with some of the world’s biggest financial institutions, and we also work with some of the smallest. Regardless of size, these organizations have a big impact on the lives of their customers and members. They’re there for some of the biggest moments—starting a business, buying their first house or just putting aside money for a rainy day. In light of International Credit Union Day, we want to celebrate credit unions around the globe as well as our new relationship with the World Council of Credit Unions.

World Council serves as an advocate and enabler for credit unions throughout the world. Credit unions play a critical role in growing access to financial services such as savings accounts, checking accounts and loans in both emerging and established markets. Moving forward, we will be working closely with World Council to bring our thought leadership and expertise to members through events in Latin America, Africa and Asia-Pacific, and to help cultivate innovative payment solutions throughout the global credit union community.

Through payments trainings and other resources for credit unions worldwide, World Council aims to foster new ways to bring financial access to the world’s 2 billion unbanked population, especially women, young adults and the rural poor. This aligns with our goal to reach 500 million people, including millions of merchants, previously excluded from financial services by 2020. With MasterCard’s sponsorship, these organizations together will help credit unions in developing countries connect and network around key technologies to expand financial inclusion.

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