Credit Union Association of the Dakotas Holds Annual Summit: Attendees had Breakfast with Peter Crear, CEO of WOCCU

Shawn M. Brummer
Communications Specialist
Credit Union Association of the Dakotas
701-250-3966 or 701-220-2200
sbrummer@midamericacua.coop

Peter Crear, President and CEO of the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) was a special guest speaker at the Credit Union Association of the Dakotas Summit in Fargo, ND this year.  Attendees had the opportunity to have “Breakfast with Peter Crear” on Friday, June 10, 2011.

In his speech, Mr. Crear talked about credit union movements around the world:  “People Helping People” on a global scale.  In some developing countries, credit unions can be a “life line for survival” stated Crear.  For example, some projects that are currently gaining support include:

Afghanistan- the WOCCU is helping Afghans to start operating their own credit unions.

Tanzania- where the WOCCU is helping set up a regulatory framework for credit unions.

Kenya- working with the Bill Gates Foundation, WOCCU helped change the local crops from tea to rice, which is generating more cash for credit union members.

Mexico- credit union services are brought to people by horseback or motorcycle.

Haiti- A micro-lending initiative is gaining support, helping citizens of one of the world’s poorest countries.

“There is a place in this world for institutions with a higher purpose than profit” said Crear.  “It’s about people – the money will take care of itself.  If we stay that course, everything will be just fine”.

With 46 years of his life devoted to credit unions, Mr. Crear announced that he will be retiring later this year.  The Credit Union Association of the Dakotas was honored to have him at their annual Summit.

Headquartered in Bismarck, ND, the Credit Union Association of the Dakotas (CUAD) is the professional trade association serving 78 credit unions in North and South Dakota with assets in excess of $4.2 billion and nearly 450,000 credit union members. For more information about CUAD visit our website at www.midamericacua.coop.

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