VyStar Credit Union recently participated in the Worldwide Foundation of Credit Union’s (WFCU) Global Bridges program, a global movement of credit unions and financial cooperatives. The platform connects networks across the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and WFCU to advance solutions to shared global challenges.  

WOCCU has projects in Ukraine, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Senegal, Guatemala, Peru and Ecuador. Participants from the Global Bridges Economic Inclusion Project (EIP) study tour in Ecuador engaged with several national organizations, including the Superintendence of the Popular and Solidarity Economy, and the Financial Policy and Regulation Board among others. The project connects Venezuelan migrants and low-income locals to financial services, employment, and entrepreneurship. The study tour gave participants the opportunity to explore Ecuador’s distinctive approach to the credit union system and learn how the EIP is establishing successful accessibility programs worldwide.

VyStar was the only Florida-based credit union that participated in the study tour.  Highlights included visits to cooperatives in Quito, Cuenca, Mitad del Mundo and Latacunga. VyStar joined representatives from Virginia Credit Union, Carolina Foothills, Financial Center Federal Credit Union, and OneAZ Credit Union.

“We are grateful to the United States Agency for International Development and our partners for the opportunity to build global relationships and share best practices with other credit union leaders,” said Beverly Winkler, VyStar Assistant Vice President Talent Management. “It was exciting to learn about Ecuador’s unique approach to helping women entrepreneurs form business partnerships with other artisans and the impact it has on their local communities.”

The Global Bridges program was developed in 2020 as a way to create a global experience for credit unions from different nations to share best practices and learn from each other. One of the most significant outcomes is to foster cultural connections based on shared values within the cooperative movement. VyStar recognizes the power of utilizing different perspectives and global practices to further the credit union movement and is committed to finding the best ways to support members and underbanked communities.