Paraguay 2011

SouthPoint Federal Credit Union's CEO, Dick Nesvold participates in an international exchange in Paraguay.

May, 2011 - Sleepy Eye, Minnesota - As one of the delegates of the World Council of Credit Unions and the state trade association, MN Credit Union Network (MnCUN), Nesvold was asked to give a presentation on deposit insurance at Paraguay trade association's 8^th Annual CENCOPAN International Seminar.

Another important component of the trip was for the delegation to meet with several of Paraguay's top political leaders to discuss and demonstrate the success of CENCOPAN's efforts to provide safe and sound financial services to its citizens through the Credit Union's cooperative movement.

While there the delegation also visited several credit unions and witnessed how the credit union movement has been instrumental in providing many services that would not otherwise be available to many citizens and communities. Nesvold says "An example is I have seen first-hand how the Credit Unions have provided "Micro Loans" to the street merchants, and how this has allowed many of their citizens to become self-sufficient".

"During my visit I was most impressed with how the true cooperative philosophy of "People helping People" has been instrumental in the economic growth of a less developed country. It truly is amazing what can be accomplished when we work together for a common cause."

The visit was part of a series of collaborative activities between MnCUN and CENCOPAN, which began in 2004 when the trade associations were partnered together through World Council of Credit Unions' (WOCCU's) program. Through visits to both countries, the organizations help each other demonstrate the cooperative philosophy of "people helping people."

The Minnesota Credit Union Network and CENCOPAN plan to continue their international exchange activities in November when Paraguayan representatives will visit Minnesota credit unions.