From November 3 to 7, 2025, the delegation of the Co-opBank participated in a study tour under the “CULROC Exposure Program 2025” organized by the Credit Union League of the Republic of China (CULROC) in Taichung City, Taiwan. The program brought together leaders representing credit union leagues and cooperative financial institutions from Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Mongolia, and Singapore to exchange experiences, learn from one another, and promote regional cooperation in the development of cooperative finance.
Delegates participating in the “CULROC Exposure Program 2025”
CULROC serves as the coordinate institution for a network of 318 credit cooperatives with more than 216,000 members in Taiwan and plays a central role in connecting community-based financial cooperative models, supporting poverty reduction, promoting education, and fostering economic self-reliance for local communities. CULROC’s operational model is highly regarded for its strengths in strengthening system capacity through regular training programs on risk management, financial management, member services, and social responsibility. In addition, CULROC applies transparent and standardized operating practices, demonstrated through the issuance of supervision and auditing mechanisms, operational regulations for credit unions (CU), and the development of professional standards. CULROC also actively promotes international engagement, particularly through the CULROC Exposure Program, which attracts participants from various countries in the region.
Thanks to the combination of a strong local foundation and a modern governance approach, the credit union movement in Taiwan has maintained stable growth, becoming one of the most effective cooperative financial models in the Asia–Pacific region.
During the working trip to Taiwan, the Co-opBank delegation held a thematic exchange session with the CULROC Executive Board and leaders of exemplary CUs from Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia. Lively discussions were held on topics such as operational mechanisms and coordination between the federation and grassroots CUs. Delegates also showed strong interest in risk management models and methods to support member institutions in enhancing financial capacity. In addition, to keep pace with global trends, participants discussed experiences in digital transformation, the application of technology in transaction management, product development, and member services, particularly for younger members.
The insights shared through the CULROC Exposure Program 2025 are not only practical but also aligned with the development orientation of the PCFs network in Vietnam, toward safety, sustainability, and community cohesion. Key lessons applicable to the PCFs network in Vietnam include strengthening field-based training to enhance governance skills for PCFs staff, developing transparent assessment criteria, implementing remote supervision, and establishing early risk warning mechanisms for the PCF network. In addition, the PCFs network needs to intensify community communication to build trust and attract new members, especially younger members in rural areas alongside developing flexible savings and credit products tailored to the needs of individual customers, households, and microenterprises.
The study tour to Taiwan further reflects Co-opBank’s proactive approach to regional cooperation and integration with cooperative financial institutions. Through experience-sharing and exposure to advanced models, Co-opBank aims to improve the quality of support for PCFs, contribute to strengthening network safety, and expand financial inclusion for local communities, particularly in rural areas.
Co-opBank’s delegation visited Wei-Dao credit union
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