A delegation from Caja Libertad, a large Mexican credit union, toured three credit unions in this state and also visited with the Arizona league to learn about multi-branch operations. Caja Libertad is seeking to expand to states in Northern Mexico and requested guidance from Arizona's CUs on various related issues. The group was led by Victor Corro, the World Council of Credit Unions' International Partnerships manager.
During its week-long stay, the delegation visited three credit unions in Phoenix-Arizona FCU, Desert Schools FCU, and TruWest Credit Union-and one in Tucson-Pima FCU. They also attended a presentation by the league of a virtual branch, an ATM-like machine that has most of the functionality of a staffed branch, but can be installed in a factory or other location where members have greater access. "We are very impressed with this type of technology," said C?sar Izurieta, Caja Libertad's director of Services.
On the last day of their visit, Corro, the delegation, and members of the Arizona league participated in a break-out session on banking and financing services of the Governer's Council of Arizona/Mexico Commission. Both Corro and Austin De Bey, ACUL's Governmental Affairs specialist, spoke at the event. This was the first time any credit union entity has participated in the Council, and will do so again next year at the Council in Sonora, Mexico.
