Consumers Credit Union Hosts Ecuadorian Delegation From OSCUS Credit Union

World Council of Credit Unions organizes meeting to discuss mutual areas of interest

Libertyville, IL, August 7th, 2012:  Consumers Credit Union (CCU; $585 MM, Waukegan, IL) recently hosted delegates from OSCUS, an Ecuadorian Credit Union.  The goal of the meeting, organized by the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), was to provide the visitors with best practices in areas of interest for operating their credit union.  Sean M. Rathjen, CCU President, led the meeting, while WOCCU’s Joshua Fetting served as translator for the Ecuadorian delegation.

The delegation was particularly interested in learning how CCU deployed many of the recent advances available for credit unions.  Topics included information technology, communications, financial analysis and lending.  CCU presented detailed information on the topics, ranging from the tools used to process Member transactions, the importance of adding new specialized products and services and how to segment Membership in order to serve their individual needs.  Other areas discussed during the day-long session included branding, web-based marketing and the impact of social media on the growth of the credit union.

“The credit union movement was founded on the principals of cooperation and collaboration,” noted Rathjen.  “In that spirit, we were pleased to have an opportunity to share some of the knowledge we’ve acquired over the years about leading-edge advances in operations, technology, marketing and their impact on the financial services industry.  We’re confident many of the ideas we presented can be put to use when OSCUS returns home.”

“One advantages of hosting the Ecuadorian delegation was the opportunity for us to learn from them,” continued Rathjen.  “Every credit union and every employee has something unique to offer to others.  Meetings such as this enable us to learn what other credit unions around the world have to offer.  We believe Consumers Credit Union was enriched by participating in this forum.  We are very honored to having been one of the Chicagoland credit unions WOCCU and OSCUS decided to visit during their time in the United States.”

A picture of the meeting is attached.  Shown Front row from left to right: Juan Carlos Basantez Gaona, Vice President of National Business, Santiago Martin Ortiz Nunez, Chief Financial Officer, Rosa Marlene Marino Lescano, Branch Manager and Carolos Alonso Santamaria Sanchez, Chief Technology Officer Back row in green is: Joshua Fetting, International Partnerships Officer & Translator. Shown in the back row from left to right: Larry Paull, Director of Information Systems (CCU), Sean Rathjen, President/CEO (CCU), John Pawlowski Vice President of Finance & Investments (CCU), Maria Contreras, Corporate Development & Marketing Coordinator (CCU) and Joshua Fetting, International Partnerships Officer & Translator (WCOCU).

For more information about CCU’s visit with the Ecuadorian delegation, please contact Sean M. Rathjen, CCU President, at 847.782.4670.  Consumers Credit Union is Member-owned, with offices in Waukegan, Mundelein, Round Lake Beach, Gurnee, North Waukegan and Volo and online at www.myconsumers.org.