MOUNT VERNON — Several Bolivian executives representing various banking and financial institutions visited CES Credit Union on Wednesday morning. The group stopped in Mount Vernon as part of a tour of financial institutions in the central Ohio region; the tour was organized by the World Council of Credit Unions.
Thom Collier, state representative for the 90th House District, and Kelly Schermerhorn, chief executive officer of CES Credit Union, welcomed the Bolivian delegation. Interpretation for some members of the delegation was provided by Thom Belekevich of the WOCCU.
“This [trip] is kind of an outgrowth of the partnership program between the Ohio Credit Union League and credit unions in Bolivia,” said Belekevich. “This particular delegation is very unique in the sense that it’s not comprised of only credit union representatives.”
Belekevich said that in addition to representing the credit union industry in Bolivia, members of the delegation also represented the banking industry, mutual associations and micro financing institutions.
“This is the first time that this particular group — representing the different areas of the financial sector — have come together as one at any time prior,” said Belekevich. “We’re very proud of that fact.
“The purpose of the visit is to give them the opportunity to see and experience, firsthand, the U.S. credit union movement; to learn about some of the technological innovations that credit unions are utilizing today, and to hear about the products and services that credit unions offer,” Belekevich said.
“The fact that all of our associations are together for the first time ... is unique,” said Manuel Fernando Prado Guachalla, executive secretary of the Association of Financial Entities Specialized in Micro Finance. Guachalla spoke without the need of Belekevich’s interpretation.
“We’re looking for technological innovations that will reduce costs, so that we can improve services and access for our clients,” said Guachalla.
He also spoke about improving the availability of services so clients would have more opportunities.
“You know, in Bolivia, only the elite and the very privileged are accessing financial services. We’re trying to have a bigger outreach and let everybody access our services,” said Guachalla.
Belekevich said that a central theme of comments from the delegation in previous days was that credit unions achieved business success, yet were able to maintain connections with members and communities.
