MADISON, Wis.–The World Council of Credit Unions said it has collaborated with Visa to complete one of the first known cross-border digital remittances between credit union cooperatives, connecting members in the United States directly with members in Guatemala through a new pilot effort.
WOCCU said the milestone represents a significant step toward expanding how remittances can flow globally through trusted cooperative networks.
“Cross-border payments are essential to families and communities around the world, but they are often difficult, costly or disconnected from the formal financial system,” WOCCU President and CEO Paul Treinen said in a statement. “This pilot shows how credit unions, working with partners like Visa, can deliver practical digital solutions that expand financial inclusion and create lasting value for members on both sides of a remittance corridor.”
Guatemala Dependent on Remittances
WOCCU said Guatemala is one of the world’s most remittance-dependent economies, receiving approximately US$25.53 billion in remittances in 20251, with remittances representing nearly one-fifth2 of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
“For many Guatemalan families, these funds often help support household expenses, education, health care and other essential needs,” WOCCU said. “By linking remittances directly to debit cards through credit union cooperatives, the pilot aims to make those payments more accessible and connected to the formal financial system.”
According to the World Council, the initiative connects Unitus Credit Union members in the United States with members of three Micoope-affiliated credit unions in Guatemala: Acredicom, Copecom and Tonantel. WOCCU said that through a digital remittance platform powered by Visa Direct, Unitus members can send funds directly to Micoope members’ debit cards, with the goal of supporting faster and more reliable cross-border payments for both senders and recipients.
‘Proven Process’
“In this pilot, we have proven that the process, technology, and security are in place to connect credit union members from Guatemala through international remittances to the rest of the world. This opens the door for financial inclusion goals to be realized worldwide,” said Unitus Community CU CEO Steven Stapp said in a statement.
Added Senior Vice President, Community Accounts and Digital Sales Celeste Schwitters in a statement, “Visa’s partnership with WOCCU is focused on unlocking new ways for credit unions to better serve members around the world.By combining Visa’s global network and Visa Direct capabilities with the strength of the cooperative system, this pilot helps improve how money moves, making it more accessible, more reliable and more connected to the financial tools people depend on.”
91% Branch Recognition
WOCCU reported Micoope’s cooperative network reaches 2.7 million members across Guatemala, with 91% brand recognition in rural areas and roughly half of all members being women. The trusted infrastructure creates a unique opportunity to extend financial services to communities with limited access, the organization added.
“This initiative has a profound social impact: it places rural indigenous women, historically excluded from financial services, at the center of cooperative finance, starting with the digital remittance and financial education to improve their lives, families and communities, bringing our credit unions back to our DNA,” Antonio Aldana, CEO of Micoope, said in a statement.
