MADISON, Wis.— It’s International Credit Union Week, with credit unions across the U.S. and the world hosting activities and celebrations that range from community service projects and financial education to food drives, special loan promotions, member appreciation events, cash giveaways, free movie screenings–and on Thursday, which is International CU Day–the CU Daily will unveil its second annual video featuring credit unions from around the world.
This year’s International Credit Union Union Day will mark the 78th anniversary of its observance, with this year’s theme, “Cooperative Finance: A Steady Signal in a Noisy World,” emphasizes the stability, trust and personal relationships credit unions seek to provide amid economic uncertainty and increasingly complex financial decisions, according to tthe World Council of Credit Unions.
The week also includes CU Kind Day today, when credit unions nationwide are encouraged to undertake community service projects. Some state associations have organized broader activities extending throughout the week.
420 Million Global Members
According to the World Council of Credit Union, the observances come as the worldwide credit union movement serves nearly 420 million members in 93 countries. In the United States, federally insured credit unions reported 146.1 million members as of June 30.
The following is just a sampling of some of the activities announced by credit unions and industry organizations for this year’s celebration.
Michigan Credit Unions Plan Cash Giveaways, Community Service
In Houghton, Mich., Breakwater Federal Credit Union has announced a weeklong celebration that includes employee community service, support for local restaurants and a cash giveaway for members.
The credit union said employees will participate in CU Kind Day by selecting individual ways to assist people and organizations in their communities.
On Tuesday, employees will participate in the 15th annual CU Lunch Local initiative, supporting independently owned restaurants.
Breakwater will also participate in a cash drawing organized by the Upper Peninsula Chapter of Credit Unions. The chapter has allocated $1,500 in prizes, including:
• One $500 grand prize.
• One $300 prize.
• Seven $100 prizes.
Members can enter at Breakwater’s branch through Friday, Oct. 16, with a selected entry advancing to the chapter drawing Oct. 22. No purchase is required.
Maine Credit Union Plans Food Drive, Yard Sale and Loan Special
Lincoln Maine Federal Credit Union has announced activities throughout the week, combining community fundraising, member appreciation and special lending offers.
According to the credit union, its schedule includes:
• Tuesday: A Together We CAN community food drive.
• Wednesday: A Buck-A-Bag pop-up yard sale benefiting the credit union’s scholarship fund.
• Thursday: International Credit Union Day activities featuring popcorn, giveaways, hot dogs, apple cider, a 50/50 raffle and prize drawings.
• Friday: Announcement of contest winners.
• Saturday: Conclusion of a one-week Christmas loan special.
The credit union also is accepting applications from eligible members seeking to skip a loan payment.
Lincoln Maine FCU said the activities are intended to combine appreciation for existing members with opportunities to support community needs.
Oklahoma Credit Union Offers Free Movies in Three Cities
Tinker Federal Credit Union is taking a different approach to International Credit Union Day by sponsoring free movie screenings in Oklahoma and Texas.
The credit union has scheduled four screenings at three theaters on Thursday, Oct. 15, with free popcorn and soft drinks. The screenings are open to members and the public, although advance reservations are required.
The events include:
• Oklahoma City: A showing of Halloweentown at Flix Brewhouse, with capacity for 149 attendees.
• Broken Arrow, Okla.: A showing of Hotel Transylvania at Regal Warren Broken Arrow, with capacity for 239 attendees.
• Denton, Texas: Screenings of Monsters & Minions and Practical Magic 2 at Cinemark Denton 14, with each screening accommodating 91 attendees.
Arizona Credit Unions Organize Statewide Celebration
Eighteen Arizona credit unions are participating in the fourth annual Arizona Credit Union Week, with activities designed to support small businesses, encourage volunteerism and promote financial education.
The participating institutions have organized a series of statewide events, according to an announcement from the Arizona credit union movement.
Activities include:
• Oct. 13 — Pay It Forward Day: Credit union cash crews will visit local businesses and surprise customers by paying for purchases.
• Oct. 14 — Day of Service: Credit union employees will volunteer with community organizations throughout Arizona.
• Oct. 15 — International Credit Union Day
• Oct. 16 — Financial Education Day: Students will participate in financial literacy activities, including educational events intended to make learning about money more engaging.
The participating institutions include AERO Financial Credit Union, among others. The activities are intended to highlight the role credit unions play in local economies and financial education
California Credit Unions Plan Housing Support, Member Prizes
Several California credit unions are using International Credit Union Day to recognize members and support community causes.
Redwood Credit Union in Northern California plans to donate 25 cents for every member transaction made Oct. 15 using its Visa debit and credit cards. The contributions will benefit seven nonprofit organizations working to expand access to stable, affordable housing, according to America’s Credit Unions.
Stanford Federal Credit Union is inviting members, family and friends to visit its branches Oct. 15 for snacks and giveaways. Members will also have an opportunity to win an Away carry-on suitcase in a branch drawing.
The activities are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with giveaways available while supplies last.
Credit Union of Southern California has launched a monthlong campaign encouraging members to share stories about why they value credit unions or how the institution helped them achieve financial goals.
Members can participate through social media, email or special branch events Oct. 15 at the credit union’s Whittier Greenleaf, Pomona, Covina, Pasadena and El Monte locations. The promotion runs through Oct. 31.
Missouri Credit Union Plans Student Branch Opening
R-G Federal Credit Union will celebrate International Credit Union Day by officially opening a student-operated branch at Belton High School in Belton, Mo.
The new Pirate Branch, scheduled to open Oct. 15, will provide financial services to eligible students and school employees while offering students opportunities to gain practical experience in financial services.
The credit union said the branch is designed to introduce students to cooperative financial institutions and provide hands-on opportunities to learn about banking, money management and financial responsibility.
The branch will operate inside the high school, making financial services and educational resources accessible within the school community.
Georgia Credit Union Plans Fraud Education, Gift Card Drawings
Interstate Credit Union is combining International Credit Union Day with Cybersecurity Awareness Month through a series of financial security challenges and member appreciation activities.
The credit union will welcome members to its branches Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for refreshments and gift card drawings.
Each branch will offer four $25 Visa gift cards and one $100 grand prize.
The credit union also is conducting a coloring contest for children ages 12 and younger, with a $10 Visa gift card awarded at each branch.
Throughout October, Interstate is offering weekly challenges covering scam recognition, password security, suspicious financial activity and fraud prevention. The final challenge will include an opportunity to enter a grand prize drawing.
The campaign, called “Tuning Into Our Members,” is designed to help members recognize financial scams and protect personal information.
Pennsylvania Credit Union Offers Headphones, Trivia
1st Ed Credit Union is inviting members and nonmembers to visit its Chambersburg, Greencastle and Hanover branches Oct. 15.
The celebration will include credit union trivia, complimentary snacks and opportunities to win noise-canceling headphones.
The credit union said the headphones are intended to complement this year’s theme emphasizing the ability to tune out financial noise and focus on trusted financial relationships.
Washington Credit Union Plans Contests for Children, Adults
Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union is holding a series of member appreciation events extending beyond International Credit Union Day.
The credit union will offer complimentary snacks at its branches Oct. 15 and invite members to bring friends and family.
Its activities include a monthlong children’s coloring contest, with two winners selected from each branch, for a total of eight winners. Each will receive a $25 deposit into a share savings account.
The credit union also is conducting an Instagram contest Oct. 1-18, with two winners receiving either a $50 gift card or a $50 deposit into their credit union account.
New York Credit Union Announces Online Giveaway
AmeriCU Credit Union is conducting an International Credit Union Day sweepstakes beginning Oct. 15 at 7 a.m. Eastern and ending Oct. 19 at 8:59 a.m.
According to the credit union’s official contest rules, the promotion is open to eligible adults throughout the United States and Washington, D.C., regardless of whether they belong to AmeriCU.
No purchase or membership is necessary to enter, and participants are limited to one entry.
Additional Credit Unions Plan Branch Celebrations
Several other credit unions have announced smaller-scale activities for International Credit Union Day.
• Achieve Financial Credit Union: Members and nonmembers are invited to visit either branch Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for refreshments, giveaways and a chance to win a $50 gift card.
• 802 Credit Union: The Vermont-based institution is encouraging members to visit their local branches Oct. 15 to celebrate the international observance.
• Limestone Federal Credit Union: The Michigan credit union has scheduled International Credit Union Week activities at all branches Oct. 13-16.
• 1st Ed Credit Union: The Pennsylvania institution’s celebrations will be open to both members and nonmembers, emphasizing the cooperative model and financial education.
Wisconsin Credit Unions Focus on Food Insecurity
In the state that was the long0time home to America’s credit union movement, more than 40 Wisconsin credit unions have pledged to participate in CU Community Days, scheduled for Oct. 12-16, according to America’s Credit Unions.
The statewide initiative encourages participating credit unions to undertake community service activities addressing food insecurity.
The effort is among several coordinated initiatives through which credit unions are extending International Credit Union Day into a full week of community engagement.
Carolinas Credit Union Leaders Support International Education Project
The Carolinas Credit Union League’s CUxEL Council, a group of emerging credit union leaders, is marking the international observance with a project extending beyond the United States.
The council announced it raised $9,010.06 toward development of a computer lab and community education center in Kojokpere, Ghana.
According to the league, the campaign exceeded its fundraising goal by 50%.
The money will help complete construction of the building, including its roof, and begin providing computers and other educational resources.
The project is intended to serve a community of approximately 2,000 residents and eight surrounding communities, providing educational opportunities for approximately 657 school-age children.
World Council Plans Financial Literacy Grants
In addition to celebrations organized by individual credit unions, the World Council of Credit Unions and Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions are planning international activities.
The foundation has announced a new grant initiative offering $10,000 in funding for financial literacy projects developed by credit unions and other financial cooperatives.
Recipients are scheduled to be announced Oct. 15.
The World Council also is providing promotional materials in multiple languages and encouraging participation in its international pen pal initiative, which connects credit union professionals across national borders.
About ICU Day
The observance traces its modern history to 1948, when the Credit Union National Association (now America’s Credit Unions) and CUNA Mutual Insurance Society (noit TruStage)revived an earlier credit union holiday. The international celebration has since become an annual opportunity to promote financial cooperation, recognize volunteer leadership and highlight the contributions of member-owned financial institutions.
For 2026, the World Council is encouraging credit unions to share their activities through the hashtag #ICUDay2026.
