Often people wonder what is a credit union, and how are they different from a bank? Here's a quick list of what credit unions are all about, to help you understand the credit union difference.

1. Serving the members. A Credit Union is a member owned and controlled, not-for-profit financial institution. A member is an owner of the credit union they belong to, unlike banks, who have a select number of share holders who are calling the shots. Once you open an account at a credit union, you are a member! 
2. Paying members the highest possible rate on their deposits. Because a credit union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, they do not have to provide a return to a select group of share holders, which means they can give their earnings back to the membership with higher deposit rates, lower fees, and lower loan rates. 
3. Providing the members who need to borrow money with the best possible payment. Credit Unions traditionally have better rates because they return their profits to their members through lower loan rates and higher deposit rates. 
4. Letting members know what we can do not what we can't do.  Credit Unions are successful when their members are successful. It just makes sense to make sure members are financially secure and educating them about finances.
5. Always coming up with a solution. Sometimes, a credit union may not be able to make a loan to a member that particular day. However, they will help you create a plan so that you can get that loan down the road. It's about long-term success for you.
6. Making sure the member is better off when they leave versus when they came in. Credit Unions are problem solvers. They will do what they can to help their members succeed financially at all stages in life.
7. Treating all of the members the same way, that includes the members with great credit and members who have had problems. Credit union members have an equal share in the membership, and because of that, they are all treated equally, regardless of their credit score, deposit balance or loan balances.
8. Taking the time necessary to get to know members and their needs. Credit Unions are in the business of creating lifelong relationships with their members. 
9. Always letting members know how much we really care.  A Credit Union takes the time to get to know their members, and truly do care about your financial success, through listening to members and not treating them as a number. 
10. Giving members everything they ask for a a little bit more. Credit Unions are looking for lifetime relationships, and often rely on members to spread the word.