International Credit Union Day 2023

Thursday, October 19^th, marks the 75^th anniversary of International Credit Union (ICU) Day. Traditionally held on the third Thursday in October, the day celebrates the global credit union movement.

Since 1844, credit unions have offered a cooperative way to manage finances, encouraging people to help other people. This help often comes in situations of significant economic hardships. Our own credit union was founded amid the Great Depression by a group of Madison city employees and the then Mayor, James Law, to help city employees and their families at times when banks won’t take the risk.

The credit union movement that started in Europe so many years ago, has since spread to 118 countries and over 393,871,631 members. The movement not only provides a cooperative financial solution to many but also helps build bridges to communities that are continually underserved by other financials. The World Council of Credit Unions, headquartered right here in Madison, WI, serves as an activist for women’s rights and inclusion practices in many developed and developing countries. One of their current projects in Senegal, promotes the expansion of financial services to women and to empower them through workforce development opportunities.

To celebrate the positive changes that credit unions promote globally, we are having a week-long celebration! October 16^th through October 20^th in the lobby, there will be a table of free goodies that members can help themselves to. Goodies include Madison CU swag, money management materials, ICU Day coloring pages with crayons, and on Thursday there will be cupcakes.

We will also giveaway five $25 gift cards, one for each day of the week. Recipients will be chosen at random based on the Madison Credit Union service we are highlighting that day. All members who have that service will automatically be entered to win the gift card of that day. We will call each member to let them know they won.

Monday: Members with an MCU Savings Account
Tuesday: Members with an MCU Checking Account
Wednesday: Members with an MCU Debit Card
Thursday: Members enrolled in eStatements
Friday: Members enrolled in Online Banking or the MCU Mobile App

If you’d like to see the full history of the credit union movement, click here.

If you’d like to read more about the projects of World Council of Credit Unions, click here.