Redwood Credit Union in Northern California and SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union in Southern California welcomed more than 40 credit union leaders from across Africa to their respective headquarters for a multi-day Learn & Share Visit focused on collaboration, community impact and cultural exchange.
The visit was part of a U.S. tour organized by theAfrican Confederation of Co-operative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA), a Pan-African confederation representing national associations of Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs), peer institutions to credit unions in the U.S. The delegation included the executive directors of the ACCOSCA and the African Cooperative Development Foundation — the philanthropic arm of ACCOSCA.
“Welcoming these visionary leaders from across the African continent was both an honor and a powerful reminder of our shared purpose,” said Bill Cheney, chief executive officer at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union. “Credit unions exist to create financial inclusion and ensure our Members have equitable access to financial resources — a commitment that transcends borders and unites us globally.”
Leaders from Redwood Credit Union and SchoolsFirst FCU shared insights into their unique financial model, strong culture of engagement, unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service to Members and communities, as well as disaster response and community resiliency. The exchange also included discussions around social impact, product and service innovation, financial literacy and education programs, and implications of cybersecurity, fraud and AI.
At the start of the week, RCU welcomed America’s Credit Unions President and CEO Scott Simpson, U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, and California State Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire, who participated as panelists to discuss the importance of advocacy and how credit unions can effectively engage with elected officials. Robert Wilson, SVP/State Government Affairs from the California Credit Union League, also attended to help deepen connections.
“It was an honor to engage with the delegation and share how Redwood Credit Union’s purpose — to inspire hope and elevate financial well-being — guides everything we do,” said RCU President and CEO Brett Martinez. “These opportunities to foster international collaboration and share best practices strengthen the industry as a whole and help drive positive change on a global scale.”
Last year, Martinez and Cheney were among the speakers at the Savings and Credit Cooperatives Associations Congress in Kenya. Africa’s largest annual financial cooperative event brought together credit union leaders to deliberate on issues affecting the industry and encourage sustainable development in regions worldwide.
The program, held the week of Nov. 3, also included networking and cultural exchanges, reinforcing the global spirit of cooperation that defines the credit union movement.
As not-for-profit financial cooperatives, credit unions worldwide are rooted in a shared mission: to prioritize people over profits and reinvest in the communities they serve. The visit was a meaningful step toward building lasting international partnerships that strengthen that mission on a global scale.