How is a credit union different from a bank?

Credit unions are different because of the way we're organized.  Like banks, credit unions pay taxes – payroll taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes.  Unlike banks, credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives whose sole purpose is serving you, our member.  We are member-owned, democratically operated, not-for-profit organizations managed by volunteer boards of directors with a specific mission of meeting the credit and savings needs of members, especially those of modest means. Congress exempted credit unions from federal income taxes in 1937, affirmed by statue in 1951, and reaffirmed in 1998 in H.R. 1151, the Credit Union Membership Access Act.

Members have a common bond.

Credit unions don’t serve the general public — they serve a group of people who share a common bond.  People qualify for credit union membership through their employer, organizational affiliations, or where they live or work.  

Our purpose: Members Helping Members.

Credit unions exist to help people, not to make a profit.  Our goal is to serve all of our members, including those of modest means.  We strive to provide FREE member education to help you, our member, become a better-educated consumer of financial services.

Learn more about the Credit Union Difference: http://cuna.org/initiatives/bank_attack/index.html

Learn why Credit Unions are Tax Exempt: http://www.cuna.org/gov_affairs/legislative/issues/tax_exempt_why.html

Learn how Americans Benefit from Credit Unions: http://cuna.org/initiatives/bank_attack/straight_talk.pdf