### formation | incline | bank:

Credit union
* Many credit unions are small in size and offer very basic services
  - small, and offer only basic savings accounts and loans
  - offer lower loan rates and pay higher dividends on savings accounts
  - serve the employees of more than one company
* Most credit unions allow credit union members' families to join.
* Most credit unions have lower operating margins than other types of lenders
  - their accounts insured by the federal government
* Some credit unions offer credit cards, debit cards, checking accounts, IRAs and share certificates.
* Some credit unions serve the employees of more than one company
  - residents of a particular community
* are a cooperative form of banking
  - all things to all people
* are also more likely to offer people with damaged credit the chance to get a card
  - nonprofits
  - among the most secure financial institutions in the nation
  - and always have been people oriented financial institutions
  - another source of consumer loans
  - cooperatives
  - democracy in action
  - democratic organizations directed by their members
  - different from banks because they are run by the members
  - economic democracy
  - either state or federally chartered
  - exempt from federal taxation
  - extremely unlikely to engage directly in predatory lending
* are financial co-operatives owned and controlled by the members
  - where members save into a common fund
  - co-operatives, are in effect community banks
  - cooperatives, owned by the people who save and borrow there
  - firm believers in consumer choice
  - member-owned alternatives to commercial banks
* are member-owned and democratically managed and controlled
  - operated
  - financial coopera tives
  - more than financial institutions
  - mutual organizations
* are non-profit cooperatives where members are the owners
  - corporations
* are non-profit financial cooperatives
  - institutions that provide banking services for their members
  - non-profit, cooperative financial institutions owned by their members
* are nonprofit cooperatives owned by the members
  - financial cooperatives, owned and controlled by their members
* are nonprofit, cooperative financial institutions
  - member-owned financial cooperatives
  - people-oriented financial institutions
  - popular in the USA and some European countries
  - still cooperative organizations serving only their members
  - subject to much of the same consumer regulations as other financial institutions
  - the soundest financial institutions in the world
  - unique financial organizations
  - user-owned financial institutions
* assist members to become better- educated consumers of financial services.
* can be good sources of loans
  - invest in government or government- guaranteed financial instruments
* consist of member groups that share common bonds.
* do pay taxes - payroll taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes.
* exercise neutrality in race, religion, and politics.
* exist only to serve their member-owners
  - solely for the purpose of meeting the financial needs of their member-owners
* exist solely to provide financial services for their members
  - serve their member-owners, who are the only depositors
  - to serve their members
* focus on the needs of all their members instead of a limited number of stockholders
  - their members, instead of a limited number of shareholders
* form a relatively small part of the nation's financial industry.
* have a long history of educating their members in financial matters
  - structure that differs from banks
* have either a federal or state charter
  - state or federal charters
  - more limited powers than banks and thrifts
  - non-profit tax status
* help keep money out of the vast waste territory of the world of high finance
* make consumer loans from money deposited by members
* offer employee benefits such as payroll deduction and direct deposit
  - financial services to their members
  - many of the same financial products and services as banks
  - people an opportunity to learn how to save their money
* operate according to the democratic principle of one member, one vote
  - democratically and each member has one vote
  - in cities, country towns, suburban areas and across state borders
  - under federal or state laws
* play a valuable role in the lives of many individuals seeking alternatives to banks.
* promote personal financial stability
  - thrift and welcome savers
* provide accessible savings, low cost loans and other financial services
  - proof that cooperative ownership benefits everyone
* range in size from the very small to large and complex world-wide operations.
* rank the lowest in financial difficulties among all financial institutions.
* reflect values, beliefs of members.
* represent democracy at work in the market place
  - in the work force
* seek to promote social responsibility.
* serve people who have something in common, such as where they work or live.
* specialize in helping educate their members for a better financial future.
* thrive because of the nature of the credit union movement.
* view themselves as organized to meet the needs of their members.