Two Madison-based credit union system organizations come together to create new collaborations and harness the power of cooperation
MADISON, WI (September 19, 2022) — Filene Research Institute has opened its Madison office space in the Lyric building on East Washington Ave to World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions.
Much like many businesses experienced during the COVID-era, the question around what to do with under-utilized physical workspaces arose for Filene. Meanwhile, the pandemic transitioned WOCCU staff to a remote work setting, causing the organization to rethink what it needed in an office.
As workplaces and workspaces evolve coming out of the pandemic and staff return to in-office work, Filene and WOCCU found value in engaging in a shared space to deepen knowledge of credit union opportunities and challenges around the world.
Elissa McCarter LaBorde, WOCCU President and CEO, comments, “Filene has set the standard for credit union research in the United States—much in the same way World Council has set the standard internationally for credit union advocacy, development, education and advancing financial inclusion on a global scale. Sharing space in our Madison offices puts into practice what we too often only talk about: cooperation among cooperatives is what drives success of the global credit union movement.”
On Tuesday, September 21, from 4:30PM – 6:00PM, Filene and WOCCU are hosting a joint reception and reveal for Filene and WOCCU staff and WI credit union leaders from organizations like the Credit Union National Association, CUNA Mutual Group, Summit Credit Union, and UWCU.
This event will be held at 1010 E Washington Ave, Suite 306, Madison, WI 53703.
“Filene has embraced the hybrid work model because we still find so much value in the in-person ‘accidental collisions’ that happen in the hallways,” said Mark Meyer, Filene CEO. “Welcoming WOCCU into our office space will create invaluable opportunities to advance ideas and create new opportunities jointly for our staff, our organizations and the credit union system.”
If you would like to attend this reception please contact Holly Fearing, Filene’s Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at hollyf@filene.org or (608) 661-3758.
About Filene Research Institute
Filene Research Institute strengthens organizations through innovative research and incubation to improve consumer financial well-being. As an independent cooperative finance think tank, Filene’s membership network connects a community of leaders and bright minds to change lives through innovation, truth and cooperation. In addition to delivering cutting-edge, actionable academic research, Filene also provides incubators to test and scale solutions, events to spark organizations into action and advisory services to help accelerate and implement innovation. For more information, visit filene.org and @fileneresearch.
About WOCCU: World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development platform for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions’ financial performance and increase their outreach.
World Council has implemented 300+ technical assistance programs in 90 countries. Worldwide, 86,451 credit unions in 118 countries serve 375 million people. Learn more about World Council’s impact around the world at www.woccu.org.
About Worldwide Foundation: The purpose of the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions is to transform a billion lives worldwide using credit unions. As the official engagement and fundraising arm of the World Council of Credit Unions, we invite all to change the world using credit unions.
