Credit unions are financial cooperatives, which are run and owned by the people who belong to them - the members.  Everyone who deposits money in a credit union joins the cooperative and becomes a member - and an owner.

The profits from a credit union go back to its members. They may be paid out as dividends, in lower loan rates, or in free or low-cost services. Credit unions are "not-for-profit" financial institutions. That doesn't mean they don't make money - it does mean they distribute the wealth back to their member rather than to outside stockholders.

All eligible members who deposit $50 or more in a share savings account are accorded a say in the credit union, by voting in the elections for directors at our annual meeting.