A credit union is a member-owned financial cooperative designed to help members help themselves financially. Every credit union member is also a credit union "owner." Unlike a bank, there are no outside stockholders that receive "profits." Credit unions return their "profits" to their members in the form of better rates and lower fees.
As a credit union member, you democratically elect the volunteer Board of Directors to run the credit union. The credit union's paid professional staff reports to the Board of Directors.