CENCOPAN Steering Committee

One of the many characteristics that makes credit unions unique is their ability to unite and work cooperatively to help fellow credit unions succeed. It is this cooperative spirit that drives the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) to help credit unions provide necessary services to members around the world.

• WOCCU 2011 Annual Report 
• WOCCU 2011 Statistical Report

MnCUN and Central de Cooperativas del Area Nacional Ltda. (CENCOPAN) work together through WOCCU’s "International Partnership Program.” MnCUN and CENCOPAN began their relationship in the fall of 2003, signing a formal partnership agreement in March 2004.

Formed in 1994, CENCOPAN is located in Asuncion, Paraguay, and provides its member credit unions with services similar to those offered by trade associations and corporate credit unions in the United States.

The collaboration of organizations in developed and developing credit union industries is vitally important to advancing the international credit union movement. The partnership between MnCUN and CENCOPAN allows for the exchange of knowledge, information, and experiences. In addition, the program helps people in both countries demonstrate the cooperative philosophy of "people helping people.”

To date, the main focus of the Network’s relationship with CENCOPAN has included legislative and regulatory development, technology assessments and internal credit union philosophy. Since the partnership began in 2004, MnCUN and CENCOPAN have coordinated a number of activities, including:

• Credit union employee internship programs in Minnesota and Paraguay;
• A credit union technology assessment in Paraguay;
• A regulatory exchange and examination shadowing involving NCUA, the Minnesota Department of Commerce, and INCOOP, Paraguay’s regulatory body;
• Meeting with Congressional officials in both countries; and
• Steady involvement in each other’s Annual Meetings.