International Credit Union Day, Thursday 16 October 2025, marks the 77th anniversary of celebrating the global credit union movement. Championed by the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU), it provides an opportunity to reflect on our shared history, achievements, and member experience. This year’s theme, “Cooperation for a Prosperous World” highlights the role of credit unions in supporting prosperity and well-being for individuals and communities through collaboration. International Credit Union Day is a reminder of our shared vision to bring communities together through mutuality and community spirit.
Celebrating cooperative values
Financial co-operatives, such as credit unions, building societies and mutual banks, were formed when groups of like-minded workers and communities came together to create building societies, credit unions and mutual banks. We were established with the purpose of providing key worker groups with financial services that prioritised members over profit. We are proud to be a part of the global cooperative movement that puts people first, and we're dedicated to providing our members with exceptional products and services while actively contributing to the betterment of our community.
Our commitment to community extends beyond the world of finance. We recognise that strong community ties are integral to our past and future success. In financial year 2024-25, over $259,000 was invested in sponsorships, donations and alliance partnerships, demonstrating our commitment to strengthening industries, empowering communities, and supporting those most in need.
We believe in the power of collaboration and collective action. We are supporters of the Australian Mutuals Foundation (AMF), helping disadvantaged Australian children and youth, in partnership with Barnardos Australia. The AMF also assists remote and disadvantaged communities in impoverished Southeast Asian and South Pacific countries to alleviate poverty through the creation of sustainable financial co-operatives via a partnership with the Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU).
We are a member of the Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA), the industry association for Australia’s customer-owned banking institutions, with a vision for more Australians to benefit from a resilient banking sector that is centred on people and communities.
As an Associate Member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, we are part of a network of values-based financial institutions working to transform the banking system and finance positive economic, social, and environmental impact.
We are a member of the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM), the peak body for co-operatives and mutuals in Australia, uniting member-owned businesses operating in all industries to increase awareness and recognition of co-ops and mutuals and the important contribution they make to the economy and community.
We have recently joined the Regional Banking Investment Alliance, a group of regional banks and supporters fighting for their local communities to ensure that face-to-face banking continues sustainably into the future.
These partnerships are examples of how we are fostering cooperation for a prosperous world.
Member first approach
Putting people first and helping our community are central to our ethos. We strive to help our members and be there for them when they need us most. We’ve stood by our members through droughts, fires, floods, recessions, industrial disputes, and the hardships of COVID-19. Through our Community Support Loan, special financial support measures, and Protected Action Clause, we continue to support members through challenging times.
Award-winning products
Our products continue to be recognised with awards from industry experts for their outstanding value and quality. We offer specially designed products to support first homebuyers, refinances, and essential workers with their path to home ownership.
Mutually valuable banking for people and planet
As a member focused, values-driven organisation, acting responsibly and ethically is at the heart of our operations. We are committed to the ongoing promotion and creation of mutual value and strive to make a positive impact for our members and the communities we are part of. It is this sentiment that underpins our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Strategy - Mutually valuable banking for people and planet.
Through our ESG Strategy, we have delivered a number of impact initiatives including recycled PVC cards and environmentally conscious collateral, accessible and inclusive service enhancements, our Essential Worker Home Loan, Green Car Loan, Green Upgrades Loan, Worker Support Benefits and our Responsible Banking Policy.
We were the first financial institution globally to be accredited under the Mutual Value Measurement (MVM) Framework, developed by the BCCM and researchers at Monash University’s Business School to help mutual organisations measure their total value creation (mutual value) through a set of common dimensions and shared language about measuring and reporting mutual value.
Our growth and evolution
We have always remained true to our proud origins and history, as we continue to evolve and grow through mergers, transformations and the changing financial services landscape.
As we reflect on our past and look towards the future, we remain steadfast in our commitment to empowering our members and advancing financial well-being through cooperative values. With this in mind, we’re excited to build on our strong history and create a brighter future, together.
