The need for training opportunities for credit union directors, managers, staff and volunteers became apparent by the mid 1970s when liquidity problems, sometimes the result of poor training, led to the amalgamation and even termination of many credit unions. Initially, the Australian Council of Credit Union Executives Association (CUES) arranged for credit union oriented training within the Australian Institute of Management but a specific credit union body was the preferred option.

The Institute of Credit Union Managers (ICUM) commenced in November 1980. The role of the institute was to provide educational activities, services and resources to meet the professional development and networking needs of members. In 1981, ICUM was renamed the Australian Institute of Credit Union Managers (AICUM) and there were 78 members from the eastern states. AICUM conducted regular training courses and took responsibility for the popular annual conference at Albury, NSW. In 2006, AICUM and the Australian Institute of Credit Union Directors (AICUD) merged to form the Australian Credit Union Institute (later the Australasian Mutuals Institute).

Our extensive collection of AICUM records includes annual reports, meeting minutes, training material, conference papers, research reports, newsletters, governance documents, videos and photographs.