CU Difference/ Coo-op Principals

At the credit union, you’re in control.
Credit unions are unique from other financial institutions in that they are not owned by shareholders; they’re owned by you. This difference is integral to what credit unions are; it’s what sets us apart, and it’s what makes us the better option for you. It means that our efforts are firmly focused on serving your needs. The result is a relationship based on a common goal: your financial success.

Backed by the strength of the national system of credit unions, individual credit unions are able to offer complete money management including the expertise you need to make better decisions for your financial future. Complementing credit union services are a number of regionally and nationally based credit union-owned companies, specializing in the mortgage, trust, insurance and financial planning services.
So whatever your needs, we have the expertise and resources to put you in control of your financial future.

Among Canada’s Largest Financial Institutions
Credit unions are as financially powerful as they are accessible. Credit unions form Canada’s largest group of financial institutions serving close to five million Canadians. With combined assets in excess of $107-billion, credit unions rank among Canada’s largest financial service providers.
With our strength, size, dependability and the expertise to lead you through a lifetime of changing financial requirements, credit unions offer you complete money management. But always, it is our customer-owned relationship that defines us.

Service Excellence
Outstanding personal service is our top priority. Many independent research studies attest to this fact, as consumers consistently rank credit unions ahead of banks with respect to service quality.
From the International Co-operative Alliance
A co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.

Values
Co-operatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.

Principles
The co-operative principles are guidelines by which co-operatives put their values into practice.
First Principle: Voluntary and Open Membership
Co-operatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

Second Principle: Democratic Member Control 
Co-operatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary co-operatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and co-operatives at other levels are also organized in a democratic manner.

Third Principle: Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

Fourth Principle: Autonomy and Independence
Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter to agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.

Fifth Principle: Education, Training and Information
Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public - particularly young people and opinion leaders - about the nature and benefits of co-operation.

Sixth Principle: Co-operation among Co-operatives
Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

Seventh Principle: Concern for Community
Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.