Katie BaileyEach October, credit unions across the globe come together to celebrate International Credit Union Day, a tradition that honors our cooperative roots and the people who built the credit union movement into what it is today.
From a Simple Idea to a Global Movement
The credit union story began with a simple yet powerful idea: people could pool their resources to help one another. In the mid-1800s, that concept took shape through early cooperatives in Europe, giving rise to the first credit unions in Germany. Their founders believed that access to fair, community-based financial services could change lives, and they were right.
By the early 1900s, the idea had spread to North America, where pioneers such as Alphonse Desjardins, Edward Filene, and Roy Bergengren helped establish the first credit unions in Canada and the United States. What started as a small, local effort quickly grew into a global network united by shared values of service, trust, and mutual support.
Marking the First Celebration
The first official Credit Union Day was held in Massachusetts in 1927 to coincide with Benjamin Franklin’s birthday, a nod to his legacy of thrift and community spirit. Although the celebration paused for a time, it returned stronger than ever in 1948 when the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), now America’s Credit Unions (ACU) established a national observance on the third Thursday of October. That date remains the foundation of International Credit Union Day today.
A Worldwide Celebration
What began as a national observance has grown into a global event recognized in more than 100 countries. Each year, millions of members, volunteers, and employees take part by hosting community events, fundraisers, and celebrations that showcase the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People.”
Celebrate through Advocacy and learn about its history below. Every member interaction, every loan, and every act of service continues the legacy that began more than a century ago. Together, we honor the history and the future of the Credit Union Difference.
