For the past 82 years, Maine’s credit unions have provided products and services to Maine people laying the groundwork in helping people to prosper and succeed. Since the first credit union was formed in Maine in 1921, the Maine Credit Union movement has remained committed and dedicated to the credit union philosophy of ‘Maine people helping Maine people.’

It is the commitment to the communities they serve that have enabled Maine’s credit unions to grow from a few thousand members to the more than 600,000 members that belong to Maine’s credit unions today. Because every credit union member is also an owner, every Maine Credit Union is owned and operated by the people who live in the communities they serve.

As Maine’s Credit Unions celebrate Credit Union Week (October 12-18) and Credit Union Day (Thursday, October 16), there has never been a better time to belong to a credit union and discover what really matters to credit union in Maineserving their members.

Maine credit unions exist to meet the needs of their members through products and services while continuing to provide a level of personal service that is unmatched amongst financial institutions. Credit unions typically offer Maine consumers the best deal exceptional member service, the latest technology, lower and fewer fees, higher dividends paid on accounts and better rates on most loans.

Whether a Maine credit union is providing a loan to help a member cover unexpected medical bills, giving financial counseling to a member whose company closed its doors, or simply offering a better deal on a used car loan, Maine’s credit unions are making a difference for their members and the community as a whole.

Membership/Ownership: As financial cooperatives, credit unions are owned and governed by their members. Every member has a vote in how their credit union is operated.

Favorable Rates: Credit unions’ not-for-profit structure allows them to pass savings along to their members in the form of favorable rates on loans, savings accounts, credit cards, and other products and services.

Products & Services: Maine’s credit unions continue to be leaders amongst financial institutions in offering their members access to the latest technology and conveniences. From basic savings accounts to the latest on-line services, credit unions are modern financial institutions focused on providing the products and services that their members need.

Community Involvement: Maine’s credit unions are part of the communities in which they serve, voluntarily assisting those people and organizations in need. During the past year alone, Maine’s credit unions contributed more than $500,000 to local charities and causes.

John Murphy, Maine Credit Union League President, said,

“In these uncertain times, Maine’s credit unions offer members a safe, sound and secure environment to conduct financial transactions. The State of the Maine Credit Union movement is strong, vibrant and growing. With nearly one out of every two Maine residents belonging to a credit union, now is a great time to join a local credit union.”

The Maine Credit Union League is the State Trade Association for Maine’s 77-affiliated Credit Unions providing a variety of services and products to assist Credit Unions in meeting the needs of their membership.