What Is A Credit Union? What Is A Credit Union’s  Philosophy/Regulation & Supervision?   Message From The Manager, Mary Wit The Lincoln SDA Credit Union began in 1965 with a vision by Lincoln businessmen to serve Seventh-day Adventists within the Lincoln, Nebraska area. Since then, the Credit Union has expanded its field of membership  many times  & currently has  members across the United States & even in some foreign countries. The most recent expansion of membership now enables the credit union to accept any Seventh-day Adventist church member.  The purpose of the Lincoln SDA Credit Union as stated in the by-laws is: "...to promote thrift among its members by affording them an opportunity for accumulating savings and to create for them a source of credit for provident or productive purposes", specifically helping our members to gain personal financial success.    We believe that access to low-cost financial services is critical to the health and stability of our members.  Study after study has revealed that on an average, Credit Unions provide the best financial offerings with lower rates on loans and higher rates on savings as well as very few fees.   The Board of Directors and management want to be able to offer services that our membership needs and wants.     In 2004 checking with check cards and credit cards, as well as Home Financial Services (online services) were added.  This website has several forms that can be utilized online - example: loan application.   The Lincoln SDA Credit Union strives to deliver the best possible service to our most important asset - our members. We know that without you, there would be no Credit Union.  Hopefully your first choice for your financial services will be the Lincoln SDA Credit Union and then you will want to share what you value in us with other Seventh-day Adventists.  Thank you. Why should you join the Lincoln SDA Credit Union? This is the only credit union that only serves Seventh-day Adventists.  The philosophy of a credit union fits perfectly with that of a Seventh-day Adventist.  "People helping people"  Because the credit union does not emphasize brick and mortor, but service, you can be assured that the rates offered are the best available and all service comes with a personal touch.  You can even feel the smile on the phone.  The very best way to find out about what the credit union has to offer is to call the office and talk with one of the staff.  The manager, Mary, has been at the credit union since 1981.  Joyce joined the staff in 1997 and most generally is the person behind the smile on the phone.  She also creates most of the beautiful ads that you see.  Beth recently joined the staff and so we are very pleased and fortunate to have her with us.   You will soon learn that their dedication makes all the different in the world.  Credit Unions are democratically owned and controlled, not-for-profit financial institutions dedicated to providing financial services to those within its field of membership, while helping to improve the quality of life through the principles of cooperation, the 'people helping people' principle.  Each member has an equal vote, regardless of how much he or she has on deposit. This vote elects those serving on the board of directors.  The Credit Union movement is committed to safety and soundness & protects its members' savings with the strongest insurance fund in the financial industry, (the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund) Deposits are insured up to $100,000.  Federally chartered Credit Unions are regulated by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an independent agency of the U.S. Government.  And they operate in a very prudent manner.  No taxpayer money is used for regulating and overseeing federal Credit Unions, as all activities of NCUA and the NCUSIF are funded by Credit Unions.  Credit Unions have no outside stockholders, so after reserves are set aside, earnings are returned to members in the form of higher saving dividends, lower loan rates, and lower cost services.   More than 100 million U.S. consumers are member-owners of, & receive all or part of their financial services from Credit Unions.    When legislation or bankers' lawsuits attack any Credit Union, it's an attack on all Credit Unions. Your Credit Union proudly protects its members' right to join and participate in their not-for-profit financial cooperative. Membership Qualification: NEW as of February, 2008 Membership limited to those who have the following common bond of association: Any Seventh-day Adventist church member or minor family member of those qualified for membership.