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Co-operative Principles: Why is It Called a Credit Union?

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Co-operative Principles: Why is It Called a Credit Union?

While bank and banking are universally understood and accepted terms, the term credit union is still largely misunderstood and unknown to many. Credit union is an unusual term, isn’t it? Is it just another name for a bank? Is it a credit card company? Do I have to be in a union to join?

But, just like Jackson or Smith, Credit Union is our last name and we’re proud of it. It does beg the question, though — where did the name come from? We need to go way back to find the answer to that question and to understand the origins of credit unions.

The first working credit union models sprang up in Germany in the 1850s and 1860s and, by the end of the 19th century, credit unions had taken root across Europe. These upstart financial institutions, which drew inspiration from co-operative successes in other sectors, including retail and agriculture, went by a variety of names, including people's banks, co-operative banks and credit associations. Some notable brand names from the time: the People’s Bank of Belgium, the People’s Bank of Milan, the Co-operative Bank in England, Crédit Mutuel in France, Casse Rurali Loreggia in Italy and the Anyonya Co-operative Bank Limited in India.

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While these early credit unions had slightly different names, they were all best identified by their adherence to co-operative principles, especially those related to membership and control. Essentially, 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. These enterprises 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.

The first credit union in North America, the Caisse populaire de Lévis in Quebec, Canada, began operations in 1901 with a 10¢ deposit. Founder Alphonse Desjardins, a former journalist and the French-language stenographer for the Canadian House of Commons, was moved to take up his mission in 1897 when he learned of a Montrealer who had been ordered to pay nearly $5,000 in interest on a loan of $150 from a moneylender. Drawing extensively on European precedents, Desjardins developed a distinctive parish-based model for Quebec: the caisse populaire. The literal translation of caisse populaire is “popular cash register,” which speaks to providing access to cash and credit to people with limited income. These people were considered as less desirable customers by the established banks, who were in business to turn a healthy profit.

Did you know that St. Mary's Bank of Manchester, New Hampshire, which now uses the term bank instead of credit union, was actually the first credit union in the United States? Assisted by a personal visit from Desjardins, the then-named St. Mary's Cooperative Credit Association was founded in 1908 by French-speaking immigrants to Manchester from Canada’s Maritime provinces.

Pierre Jay, the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner, and Edward Filene, a Bostonian merchant and philanthropist, were instrumental in establishing enabling legislation in Massachusetts in 1908. Filene's philanthropy and the practical implementation efforts of his associate Roy Bergengren were critical to the emergence of credit unions across the United States.

Unlike the credit unions of Germany or Quebec, most credit unions in the U.S. emerged from an employer-based bond of association. In addition to the advantages of access, information and enforcement that resulted from members sharing the same workplace, the employer-based bond permitted credit unions to use future paychecks as collateral.

Although the word “credit” might make you think that the earliest credit unions offered only credit services, they usually also offered savings services, and often payment and insurance services as well. The word “union” can also be confusing. At first blush, you may think that members of a credit union need to be member of a labor union, but that’s not the case. Members are simply united together because they share a similar situation. This affiliation can be where they live, where they work or what they believe in.

While “credit union” may be a bit harder than “bank” to grasp, it’s our name and we’re sticking with it! To paraphrase Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”


The 7 Cooperative Principles:
How do they shape my credit union experience?

Credit unions put their values into practice by following these 7 co-operative principles. This sets credit unions apart from all other financial institutions, strengthens the community and benefits you too!

Number 1 with clipboard

Membership available to all who are eligible

What it means to you: No matter what your financial situation looks like, the door is open, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

Number 2 with I Voted button

Democratic member control

What it means to you: You help call the shots by electing a board of directors. One member equals one vote. This is local democracy in action.

Number 3 with coin

Member economic participation

What it means to you: Better rates, lower fees and services that benefit the entire credit union. The more that members participate, the more there is to go around.

Number 4 with thumbs up

Autonomy and independence

What it means to you: As a financial cooperative, your credit union is controlled by real members like you, instead of outside shareholders.

Number 5 with graduation cap

Education, training and information

What it means to you: Access to financial literacy tools and resources. Credit unions believe that education contributes to personal growth.

Number 6 with heart with arrows circling around it

Cooperation among cooperatives

What it means to you: Your credit union strengthens the cooperative movement by partnering with organizations that share the same important values.

Number 7 with houses

Concern for community

What it means to you: Knowing that your day-to-day banking translates into benefits for charities, local businesses and the entire community.

It’s a Money Thing® is a registered trademark of Currency Marketing and is in partnership with Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU) to offer a digital library of financial topics.

Information in this article is general in nature and for your consideration, not as financial advice. Please contact your own financial professionals regarding your specific needs before taking any action based upon this information.

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