We’re Built Differently
While credit unions today offer many of the same products and services as banks, the foundation and structure of our purpose is vastly different. Credit unions were created to benefit its members and their communities by channeling its earnings back into products and services beneficial to its members. By contrast, banks channel their profits back to their shareholders, and not to bank customers.
Also, each member is an owner of their credit union, and has a vote in how the credit union is managed. Learn more about the history of credit unions.
Started During The Great Depression
During the Great Depression of the 1930s, as Americans migrated in search of work, urgency grew to design and implement new financial solutions to get the nation back on its feet. In 1934, the Federal Credit Union Act became law under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This new law created extraordinary options for people with similar employment to pool their relatively scarce resources for the greater good.
Credit Unions Are Not Federally Taxed
Credit unions do pay taxes — payroll taxes, sales taxes and property taxes. Congress exempts credit unions from federal income taxes. The 1998 Credit Union Membership Access Act says credit unions exempt from federal and most state taxes because they are member-owned, democratically operated, not-for-profit organizations generally managed by volunteer boards of directors and because they have the specified mission of meeting the credit and savings needs of consumers, especially people of modest means.
Every Member is an Owner
Each credit union member has equal ownership and one vote — regardless of how much money the member has on deposit. At a credit union, every customer is both a member and an owner.
People-Focused, Community-Oriented
Credit unions exist to help people, not to make a profit. At Travis Credit Union, our goal is to serve all members from every socio-economic standing. We change lives and lift communities through financial wellness, and actively participate in the communities we serve. That’s the credit union difference.