How do credit unions differ from banks?

Credit unions are non-profit and exist to help people, not to make a profit. As such, all earnings are returned to their members in the form of high-interest savings and low rate loans.

A volunteer board of directors, elected by the members, governs a credit union. With their vote, each member has a direct impact on the direction of the credit union. Also, "people helping people" is the credit union philosophy.

A credit union's goal is to serve all of their members equally and provide charitable contributions to their community. Credit unions are owned by their members. Each member gets one vote and an equal say in how the credit union is run.