ur philosophy of PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE has set credit unions apart from all other financial institutions. A credit union is a cooperative, not-for-profit financial institution chartered by the state or federal government. It's owned and controlled by its members, and organized to promote thrift and provide credit to those who participate. Credit unions serve groups that share something in common, such as where they work, live, or go to church. As not-for-profit financial service cooperatives, credit unions return earnings to their members through higher savings rates, better services, and lower borrowing rates.

Conversely, banks are owned by small groups of stockholders whose main interest is to earn a healthy return on their investment. Unlike banks, credit unions exist to serve their member-owners and provide a safe place to save and borrow money.

CREDIT UNIONS	VS	BANKS
Member-service driven;     people come first. Profits returned to     members in the form of     expanded and improved     services, better rates. Members are owners. Make loans only to     members, so deposits     stay in the community. Believe competition     benefits consumers. Volunteer board of     directors.		Profit driven; profit comes     before people. Return profits to     stockholders. Customers have no     ownership rights. Make loans to outside     sources, commercial     enterprises and foreign     countries. Trying to eliminate     competition. Paid board of directors     who are accountable only     to stockholders.