Celebrate benefits of credit unions

To the editor:

On Thursday, credit unions in our state and 109 nations around the world joined in celebrating International Credit Union Day and the role that financial cooperatives play in improving the lives of people in their community.

The theme, “Dreams Thrive Here,” is meant to serve as a reminder of how effective credit unions are at helping people chase and achieve their dreams in life.   

Credit unions are unique because they are not-for-profit, democratically controlled, member-owned cooperatives. Members of credit unions pool their assets to provide low-cost loans and other financial services to each other, not to earn shareholder profits. More than 222 million members served by 56,000 credit unions worldwide have embraced the credit union movement’s cooperative spirit. Credit unions play a vital role in the 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.  

Cooperatives and credit unions are founded on community service, a principle that has distinguished them for more than 160 years.

We hope everyone will join us in celebrating the credit union difference, and the wonderful opportunities they offer citizens of Jay County and the surrounding area.

Janet E. Bantz

President/CEO

CrossRoads Financial Federal Credit Union