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What’s the Difference?

The difference between TBA Credit Union and your bank.

Many wonder, "What IS the difference between credit unions and other financial institutions?" The answer is simple: Credit unions exist to help people, not to make a profit. That difference resulted in TBA Credit Union being established as a financial cooperative rather than a bank. At a cooperative, you are a member/owner, not a number/customer.

Close to 186 million people are members of credit unions in 97 countries. As financial cooperatives that stand on social responsibility and economic viability, credit unions address the common goals of their members:

  • Voluntary and open membership
  • Democratic member control
  • Member economic participation
  • Autonomy and independence
  • Education, training, and information
  • Cooperation among cooperatives
  • Concern for community.

As financial cooperatives, credit unions are much more than money lenders and holders. We stand for the power of people helping people. Credit unions are prime examples of how the cooperative spirit transforms individuals and advances communities, the first steps toward building a better world.