A credit union is a non-profit financial cooperative voluntarily owned and operated by its members for its members. We exist to serve our members, not to make a profit. Earnings are then returned to our members in the form of lower loan rates, higher interest on deposits, lower fees, and better services. Members are, in essence, the shareholders of the credit union and therefore have a voice in how the credit union is governed through participation in annual meetings, exercising their right to vote and volunteering to serve on a committee or board.
The primary purpose of the credit union is to provide financial services to our members by encouraging them to save money and making affordable credit available to them. The savings our members gain by being a credit union member is evident through our Savings Tracker Program.
Every member counts, even those of modest means, and our members are fiercely loyal because of this. We continue to look out for our members' interest and provide a level of service that is not generally available at other financial institutions. Whether it's providing a loan to help a member cover unexpected medical bills, giving financial counseling to a member whose company closed its doors, or simply offering a better deal on a used car loan, credit unions make a difference for their members and the communities they serve.
The credit union movement is a strong volunteer, philosophic and political support that credit unions have among their members and the following nine principles have become the cornerstone for this movement:
- Open and Voluntary Membership
- Democratic Control
- Nondiscrimination
- Service to Members
- Distribution to Members
- Building Financial Stability
- Ongoing Education
- Cooperation Among Cooperatives
- Social Responsibility
It is important for credit unions to advocate for the financial benefit of members through the legislative and regulatory processes. Periodically, we will send you information and post additional details on our website about issues that may affect you. You can visit our advocacy page here.
