Report includes membership and financial data from 55,952 credit unions in 101 countries
MADISON, WI (July 12, 2013) -- World Council of Credit Unions has released its 2012 Statistical Report, which provides the best available membership and financial data from credit unions and financial cooperatives worldwide. This year's report includes information from 55,952 credit unions serving more than 200 million members in 101 countries.
The most notable global change since 2011 was in credit union reserves, which grew an impressive 15% in 2012, from US$141.3 billion to US$161.8 billion. Also in 2012, global credit union lending reached US$1.1 trillion; assets grew to US$1.7 trillion; and savings and share volume was reported at US$1.3 trillion. Member penetration worldwide was 7.72%. New countries reporting 2012 data included Curacao, Fiji, Samoa, Micronesia and Timor Leste.
Kenya and the United States achieved notable growth in membership, while Brazil's credit unions reported a significant increase in assets in 2012. The Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives reached 25% membership growth among 5,000 credit unions, increasing from 4.2 million members to 4.7 million. The U.S. Credit Union National Association added 2.1 million members, its highest absolute membership growth in decades. In Brazil, Confederação Interestadual das Cooperativas Ligadas ao SICREDI reported over 20% asset growth in local currency among its member credit unions.
World Council reports data based on country responses to its annual survey and does not make estimates for non-reporting countries. The electronic-only report provides the most comprehensive data on the global credit union movement available and is cited widely by governments, international institutions and analysts as an expert resource.
Download a free copy of the 2012 Statistical Report at www.woccu.org/statreport or visit www.woccu.org/intlcusystem to see historical data since 2003.
World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.
World Council has implemented more than 290 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 56,000 credit unions in 101 countries serve 200 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.