MADISON, Wis. - Could shared branching eventually spread aroundthe world? Certainly the World Council for Credit Unions believesit could and is working to help develop the idea. Recently, 12credit unions in Ecuador have banded together and created thecountry's first shared branching network, according to WOCCU, whichsupported the project along with the U.S. Agency for InternationalDevelopment. The service began on April 8 with only domestictransactions, but eventually organizers hope to establishconnections between Redcoop, as the Ecuadorian network is called,and existing U.S. shared branching networks. "By providing morenumerous points of service that are closer and easier forindividuals to use, credit unions in Ecuador are helping theirmembership to grow and increase profitability," stated L.R. BobbyMcVeigh, chairman of WOCCU, during remarks at press conference inQuito, Ecuador, called to promote the opening. "By working togetherto share resources, credit unions greatly improve their service tomembers. Redcoop is an excellent example of the benefits ofcooperation." McVeigh added