Unpaid volunteers from the membership serve on the Board of Directors and guide the credit union. Daily operations are performed by a paid staff. Only people who own stock can vote for the Board of Directors. The customers who use the bank don't have a say. As owners, members elect fellow members to serve on the Board of Directors.
Income is returned to the stockholders in the form of higher dividends on their shares of stock.
Income is returned to members in the form of better savings rates, lower loan rates, and low or no fees for services. Like other for-profit businesses, banks must pay taxes to the government.