An observation by Ancin Cooley on one difference between cooperatives and bank business options:
A difference of Principle
Cooperative principles are best understood and upheld when juxtaposed against capitalist principles. “Growth” and “scale” are core tenets of a capitalist frame. A credit union could shrink from 100,000 to 10,000 and still meet the goals of its mission. However, a bank with investors could not do the same and call itself successful.
We can dance around it all day. The core issue at the center of the credit union movement is who’s going to control member capital.
As I check the scoreboard, those individuals bold enough to reach out and take control of these institutions through a variety of tactics are winning.
For the cooperative movement to survive, individuals must be given a reason or incentive to protect it.