Snap Survey

Credit union membership and assets have grown during the Great Recession, as dissatisfied bank customers walk down the street or across town to join a member-owned, not-for-profit credit union. It's no surprise that the Credit Union National Association's 2009-2010 Survey of Potential Members Report shows 55% of nonmembers are very satisfied with their bank, down from 58% in the 2006 survey. At the same time, 73% of credit union members are very satisfied with their credit union, compared with 66% in 2006.

Whether big or small, at a credit union: You're not just a number and an account�you're a member-owner with voting rights.

Elected volunteer (not paid) board members have a lifetime of involvement in diverse industries and their community. They guide professional management in serving all members' best interests�there are no stockholders.

Because there's no motive to make money at the expense of consumers to pay stockholders, the financial goal is to serve members and to keep the credit union strong.

The not-for-profit operation means any earnings go into reserves for safety or into providing services at fair prices�lower-cost loans, better-than-average savings yields, and rational fees.

Snap Survey wonders, just how long have you belonged to a credit union?