Each year the National Cooperative Bank compiles the top 100 US co-ops by total revenue. The listing for 2019 is here.
Several observations:
- The top three serve the farming sector. Co-ops serving agriculture dominate the list.
- Five credit unions are in the top 100 along with three other financial co-ops.
- The co-op at number 99, NFO, Inc. lists only $27 million in assets but generated $535 million revenue
- The Associated Press is the 100th largest co-op and the only co-op under communications.
Not Covered by Mainstream Business Media
Often co-ops fly under the business reporting news sources. No stock price to follow. Few opportunities to buy or sell. As member-owned and focused, there is less “public interest” in their performance and role.
They are most often referenced when they are doing something extraordinary as in a 60 Minutes Report on Land O Lakes, the second largest co-op by revenue. The CBS report provides an illuminating insight into the power of cooperative design and innovation, and its vital role supporting American farmers in a year when over 50% farms are expected to lose money.