Credit Unions Join Together for International Credit Union Day Event

21/10/2026

Credit unions came together on Saturday 17 October for the London and South of England Forum’s International Credit Union Day event, with a keynote address from Kate Pender, Chief Executive of Fair4All Finance, providing an opportunity to explore the Transformation Fund and discuss how it could support the future growth of the sector.

Held in Londdon, the event brought together credit union representatives to celebrate the contribution of cooperative finance and consider how collaboration, innovation and sector-led transformation can strengthen financial inclusion.

Under this year’s International Credit Union Day theme, ‘Cooperative Finance: A Steady Signal in a Noisy World’, the programme featured a range of speakers and workshops designed to share practical knowledge, encourage collaboration and support credit unions to develop their services and increase their impact in the communities they serve.

A key highlight of the day was the keynote address from Kate Pender, CEO of Fair4All Finance, entitled ‘Building the future together: Transformation for inclusion and growth’.

The session focused on the role of collaboration and sector-led transformation in helping credit unions grow their impact and strengthen financial inclusion, with particular attention to the opportunities presented by the Transformation Fund.

The address also provided a valuable opportunity for credit unions attending the event to ask questions, raise issues directly and have conversations with Fair4All Finance about the fund. This open dialogue enabled delegates to explore the opportunities available and consider how the fund could support their organisations’ ambitions and contribute to the wider development of the credit union sector.

Alongside the keynote, delegates could choose from a programme of seminars covering a range of issues facing credit unions, including attracting and retaining younger professionals, opportunities to support greener homes through finance, and the development of Credit Union Service Organisations (CUSOs).

The afternoon programme continued with a plenary session on the safe use of artificial intelligence in credit unions, led by Zandra Moore MBE, Founder and CEO of Zygens. Further workshops covered the All Together Money Engagement Platform, developing money guidance support for credit union members with the Money and Pensions Service, and effective marketing.

Paul Treece, Chair of the London and South of England Forum, said: “International Credit Union Day is an important opportunity to bring credit unions together, celebrate the difference we make and look at how we can continue to develop as a movement.”

“Having Kate Pender join us to discuss the Transformation Fund was really important this year. It gave credit unions in the room the opportunity to ask questions directly, have an open conversation with Fair4All Finance and explore what the fund could mean for their organisations. These conversations are important in helping credit unions understand the opportunities available and consider how they can build for the future.

“We were also privileged to hear from Zandra Moore MBE, CEO of Zygens, who led an engaging and eye-opening practical session on using AI safely in a credit union. Lots of delegates commented on how useful this was, especially seeing an AI agent being created and used to de-mystify the hype.”

“The day demonstrated the value of coming together to share ideas, learn from one another and strengthen the relationships that help our sector thrive.”