credit union

American  

noun

1. a cooperative group that makes loans to its members at low rates of interest.

---

credit union British  

noun

1. a cooperative association whose members can obtain low-interest loans out of their combined savings

---

credit union Cultural  

1. An organization formed by employees of a company or institution to make personal loans at low interest rates to all employees of that company or institution.

---

Etymology

Origin of credit union

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Example Sentences

The Netflix film Bank of Dave, which was a fictionalised account of his attempts to get a banking licence for his credit union, was released in 2023, starring Rory Kinnear.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

WSJ | Buy Side: Low‑interest lending options are often suited for established businesses and include bank, credit union, online and SBA lenders offering competitive rates.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

New York Fed President John Williams told reporters at a credit union conference in Washington that the fallout hinges on how long they affect asset prices, especially the price of oil.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

You can see if your current bank or credit union offers a competitive HYSA.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 27, 2026

A credit union may be organized by any seven or more persons with a share capital the par value of which shall not exceed $25.

From Readings in Money and Banking Selected and Adapted by Phillips, Chester Arthur

Related Words

• lending institution