The ICA-AP Committee on Credit and Banking (ICCB) convened a focused Roundtable on “Challenges for Credit and Banking Cooperatives” on 25 November 2025 in Colombo during the ICA-AP Regional Assembly. The event gathered leaders, practitioners, academics, and experts from Sri Lanka, India, the Philippines, and Jordan, who offered grounded insights into sectoral realities and pathways for strengthening cooperative finance in the region.

The roundtable structure featured two thematic panels, each moderated by experienced cooperative leaders. Discussions centered on both long-standing governance issues and the rapid digital transformation reshaping financial services, especially for credit cooperatives that serve low-income and rural communities.

Panel 1 — Governance and Access to Credit: Reinforcing the Backbone of Cooperative Finance

Moderated by Ms. Samadanie Kiriwandeniya, Managing Director, SANASA International, Sri Lanka, the panel addressed the persistent institutional challenges that affect cooperative credit operations across countries.

From Sri Lanka, Mr. L. A. Abeysinghe (National Cooperative Council of Sri Lanka) highlighted how many primary cooperatives continue to face structural governance gaps—ranging from role clarity among board members to inconsistencies in internal audit and reporting systems. He emphasized the need for systematic board training, especially as cooperative members often transition into leadership roles without adequate preparation.

From the Philippines, Ms. Bernadeth N. Bernadas (CLIMBS) demonstrated how strengthening governance frameworks and compliance systems can dramatically improve performance. She shared CLIMBS’ model of embedded risk management, transparent claims processing, and compliance training that has been adopted by thousands of Philippine cooperatives.

From India, Ms. Sreeja Murali (ULCCS Ltd.) explained how the 100-year-old worker cooperative has institutionalized professional governance while staying member-driven. She shared ULCCS’s experience in improving credit assessment systems, establishing structured approvals, and aligning governance with long-term infrastructure development.

Across speakers, a clear consensus emerged: strong governance is the foundation for safe, accessible, and member-responsive credit systems. Strengthening bylaws, training boards, modernizing compliance frameworks, and formalizing risk assessment systems were identified as urgent needs across the region.

Panel 2 — Digitalization and Transformation: Building the Cooperative Financial Systems of the Future

Moderated by Ms. Sreeja Murali, ULCCS Ltd., India, the second panel showcased technological innovations shaping cooperative credit and banking services.

From India, Prof. H. K. Misra (DMI Patna) framed digitalization as an opportunity to strengthen the cooperative identity. He emphasized the need for digital tools that support participation, transparency, and localized decision-making. His presentation stressed that digital transformation must go hand in hand with capacity building and regulatory preparedness, with examples of successful implementation of digitalization projects with Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in India.

From Jordan, Ms. Lamia Dabbas (Advance Consulting) shared concrete progress in digital loan management, profiling systems, and e-wallet integrations. Her case examples showed how digital solutions reduced loan processing time, improved record accuracy, and increased women’s participation in cooperative credit from 15% to 35%, particularly by minimizing mobility and documentation barriers.

From the Philippines, Ms. Evangeline Lopez (NATCCO) described how digital payment platforms and cooperative e-banking initiatives have expanded financial inclusion. NATCCO’s payment services network now reaches even small rural cooperatives, enabling them to provide modern services such as mobile transfers, digital wallets, and real-time credit monitoring.

Speakers emphasized that digitalization is no longer optional; it is essential for growth and survival. However, technology must be supported by investments in staff training, cybersecurity, data protection, and supportive regulatory frameworks.

The roundtable concluded with clear convergence: credit and banking cooperatives across Asia-Pacific must strengthen governance systems and accelerate digital transformation simultaneously. Doing one without the other risks undermining the cooperative mission.

Participants agreed that the cooperative finance model, built on trust, mutuality, and community resilience, remains indispensable for inclusive development. But the sector must now invest in modernization, capacity building, and policy dialogue to stay competitive and member-responsive.