Shared Branching Popular In Third-WorldCUs

ROME - (07/26/05) --While shared branching is most widelypracticed among U.S.-based credit unions, credit unions in Centraland South America are taking the effort to greater lengths. InBrazil, Manfred Dasenbrock, VP with Brazilian league known asCentral SICREDI, said 133 SICREDI credit unions share 858 branches,all with common signage (a stylized green and yellow windmill) andcommon design. In Nicaragua, Mark Cifuentes, senior project managerwith the World Council of CUs, said that country's credit unionshave seen robust growth since joining together in a network of 24facilities. Similarly, he noted that credit unions in El Salvadornow share more than just a network; branch design is similar ateach facility as are graphics.

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