Global Credit Union Figures Highlight Scale of Movement

03/09/2026

The global credit union and financial cooperative movement continues to demonstrate its scale and reach, with the latest figures showing almost 420 million members across 93 countries.

The World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) has released its latest Statistical Report, providing a detailed picture of the global movement at the end of 2025.

The report shows that approximately 61,838 credit unions and financial cooperatives around the world were serving nearly 420 million members, managing US$3.98 trillion in assets. Collectively, the global movement held US$3.34 trillion in savings and shares and provided US$2.83 trillion in loans.

“These numbers demonstrate the extraordinary scale of cooperative finance, but they tell only part of the story,” said Paul Treinen, President and CEO of World Council of Credit Unions. “What stands out in this year’s report is the diversity of the movement and the different ways credit unions create value in their communities. Our continued relevance will depend on how well we adapt while preserving the trust, member focus and cooperative identity that distinguish our model.”

The findings also point to some of the key issues shaping the future of credit unions globally. Regulation and digital competition were identified as the trends expected to have the greatest impact over the next five years, while digital transformation emerged as the leading strategic priority.

The report also looks at the growing use of artificial intelligence, barriers to adoption and changing governance priorities, as credit unions around the world consider how to respond to a rapidly changing financial landscape while retaining their cooperative identity.

The latest figures for Great Britain underline that strength closer to home, with credit union membership continuing to increase and reaching 1.53 million members in 2025, including adult members and juvenile depositors. This is the highest level on record for Great Britain, with membership growing from 1.37 million in 2021 — an increase of 11.5% over the period.

The continued rise in membership demonstrates that more people are recognising the value of credit unions as a trusted alternative for saving and accessing affordable, responsible credit.

Read the full WOCCU 2025 Statistical Report to explore the latest figures and trends shaping the global credit union movement.