Philosophy
Credit unions promote thrift, savings and sound credit use to improve members' lives.
Community
Most credit unions are locally run. A credit union's membership consists of specific people from employers, churches, schools or communities. Most banks are rarely locally run. Community banks are frequently sold to larger banks whose home office is seldom in the local community.
Ownership
Every member is an equal owner.
Leadership
Boards of Directors are elected by members. Directors are volunteers, and are not paid. Credit union elections are held with each member getting a single vote.
Federal Deposit Insurance
Insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), a Federal government agency.
Taxation
Credit unions are exempt from corporate income tax because they are not-for-profit cooperatives that return earnings back to members in the form of lower loan rates and higher deposit rates. Credit unions pay property, county, school, municipal, and employer taxes.