Credit unions celebrated Thursday

To the editor:
On Thursday, credit unions in our nation and worldwide came together to celebrate International Credit Union Day and the role that financial cooperatives play in improving the communities they serve and the lives of their members the world over. This year’s theme, “Credit Unions Unite for Good: A Better Way,” sums up what has long been credit unions’ philosophical principle — cooperation among financial cooperatives to better their members.
In a time of economic and financial challenges for people around the world, this theme honors credit unions’ cooperative principles. It is the goal of all credit unions to offer access to affordable financial services to all their members and provide even the most financially disadvandatged, the tools and the opportunities to be financially self-sufficient.
Credit unions are unique because they are not-for-profit, democratically-controlled, member-owned cooperatives. Credit unions pool their members’ assets to provide low-cost loans and other financial services in the best interest of the members, not to earn shareholder profits. The credit union movement’s cooperative spirit is embraced by 20 million members served by 56,000 credit unions in 101 countries worldwide, working together to achieve economic progress. Credit unions play a vital role in the economic development and stability of the communities they serve, helping people improve their lives through access to affordable financial services and making the world a better place to live.
This year’s theme also recognizes other types of cooperative businesses, like our local electrical cooperative, REMC, and highlights their contributions to improve the lives of their community and their members. Help make our voice be heard.
Remarkable member service and democratic control are just some of the many benefits of being a credit union or cooperative member. That’s as true of credit unions here in Indiana as it is in other cooperatively-owned financial institutions from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. Cooperatives and credit unions are founded on community service, a principle that has set them apart for more than 150 years.
This International Credit Union Day we hope everyone will join us in celebrating the credit union difference, our proud cooperative heritage and the wonderful opportunities credit unions and cooperatives offer members of the Jay County community every day.
Sincerely,
Janet E. Bantz
President and CEO
Crossroads Financial Federal Credit Union[[In-content Ad]]