Mission

Credit unions are regulated and supervised at the national level, however EU legislation increasingly impacts the credit union movement. In order to ensure appropriate and proportionate regulation for credit unions, eight European associations and the World Council of Credit Unions comprise European Network of Credit Unions. The network serves as a platform to exchange information and speaks with one voice on European matters. More concretely, the objectives of the network are to:

• Educate EU policymakers on what a credit union is, how it is structured and what services it provides
• Raise awareness of the social role credit unions play, both in European countries and worldwide
• Formulate positions on EU policies identified as highly important to the credit union movement
• Advocate these positions vis-à-vis EU decision-makers
• Engage in an open dialogue with policymakers and other stakeholders

On 8 December 2010, the European Network of Credit Unions organised a full-day event in the European Parliament where credit union representatives from seven European countries met with over 30 Members of the European Parliament to discuss the characteristics and role of credit unions in the European Union and beyond. More information.

The European Network of Credit Unions’ Members

Estonia

Estonian Union of Credit Cooperatives (EUCC)

EUCC was founded in 1999 as the national trade association for 10 credit unions in Estonia. EUCC member credit unions have over € 37.3 million in savings and € 50 million in assets.

Ireland

Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU)

The ILCU is the representative body for 229 credit unions in the Republic of Ireland and 92 credit unions in Northern Ireland and serves more than 3.7 million members. Irish credit unions hold €14.98 billion of savings and €17.92 billion in assets. They are Ireland's leading providers of social finance.

Republic of North Macedonia

Macedonian Credit Union Movement (FULM)

FULM Saving House serves more than 12,000 members, most of whom would otherwise not have access to financial services. Macedonian credit unions hold totals of €3.5 million in savings and €6 million in assets.

Netherlands

Dutch Association of Cooperating Credit Unions (VSK)

Credit unions in the Netherlands serve Dutch small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). There are 18 credit unions in the Netherlands serving approximately 500 SMEs.

Poland

National Association of Co-operative Savings and Credit Unions, Poland (SKOK)

SKOK represents Polish credit unions serving more than 2.5 million people. There are about 53 credit unions in Poland, but the number of locations makes credit unions in Poland the largest network of financial institutions. Polish credit unions hold about €3.7 billion in savings and €4.1 billion in total assets.

Romania

Federation of Romanian Credit Unions (FEDCAR)

FEDCAR was founded in 2004 and represents 19 member institutions serving more than 63,000 members across the country. Romanian credit unions combine for a total amount of €40million in savings and €46.7 million in assets.

Ukraine

Ukrainian National Association of Savings and Credit Unions

In Ukraine, there are approximately 588 credit unions serving over 750,000 physical person members with total assets of roughly EUR 80 million.