In concert with the World Council of Credit unions, Georgia Credit Union Affiliates and the Association of British Credit Unions Limited, announced the formation of a mutual learning partnership among credit unions in Georgia and Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).
 
A delegation of credit union leaders from Georgia traveled to Manchester, England in March to attend the ABCUL annual conference. In his address to the conference, Georgia Credit Union Affiliates President and CEO Mike Mercer said GCUA and ABCUL are exploring ways credit unions in both countries can collaborate.
 
Representatives from British and Georgia credit unions met during the conference to discuss opportunities to work together. They came up with a list of areas of focus moving forward that includes new products and services best practices, assessing the real needs of members, underwriting and servicing secured loan products, developing and motivating staff, member communication, technology and automation, growth strategies, brand strategies, digital distribution systems, corporate governance, contracts and documents and loan portfolio strategies.
 
British credit union representatives will be visiting Georgia in the fall. In the meantime, over the summer GCUA will assist ABCUL with legal and regulatory enhancement opportunities. The World Council of Credit Unions encourages forming international partnerships for mutual benefit, and will be contributing staff resources in these efforts as well. And as Mercer spoke at the ABCUL annual conference, Lyonette was a featured speaker at the GCUA annual convention in Savannah, GA, held May 11-14.
 
Georgia credit unions have a history of international cooperation, having worked with Polish credit unions for more than two decades in a "People to People" partnership. The benefits of this new initiative are expected to accrue via mutual learning opportunities, leadership development and a deeper practical appreciation for the cooperative business model.
 
"Our business model is rooted in England with the Rochdale cooperatives," Mercer said in a nod to the mid-1800s cooperative movement, which established the Rochdale principles as the foundation for cooperative business enterprises. "We welcome the opportunity to strengthen our relationship with our counterparts in Great Britain."