NY credit unions celebrate International Credit Union Day

ALBANY, NY (10/16/2014)(readMedia)-- NY credit unions celebrate International Credit Union Day

(ALBANY, N.Y.) – The Credit Union Association of New York is joining credit unions throughout the state and around the world today in celebration of International Credit Union (ICU) Day. This year's ICU Day theme-Local Service. Global Good.-celebrates the credit union movement's commitment to charitable initiatives at the local, national and international levels.

ICU Day is held every year on the third Thursday of October, though many credit unions extend the celebration by performing charitable acts throughout the week and month.

The observance was established by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) in 1948 as a way to celebrate the history and accomplishments of the credit union movement.

Today, the not-for-profit cooperatives provide important financial services to nearly 208 million members in 103 countries worldwide. In New York alone, there are nearly 400 credit unions, representing more than 5 million memberships and over $66 billion in assets.

"Day in and day out, credit unions strive to make a real difference in the lives of their members and their communities," said CUANY President and CEO William J. Mellin. "International Credit Union Day is the ideal time to reflect on the credit union difference, and this year's theme perfectly sums up what the credit union movement is about on every level: people helping people."

The Credit Union Association of New York has served as the trade association for the state's credit unions for 96 years. New York credit unions have assets of more than $66 billion and over 5 million memberships. To learn more about CUANY, visit www.cuany.org. To find a credit union or learn more about the credit union movement, visit www.asmarterchoice.org.