Thrift Society vs Credit Union
Thift Society
Credit Union
- No Supporting Secondary Body - Affiliation Cost to the Secondary Body is eliminated
- Restricted to sourcing capital from member through shares and loan
- Capital requirement for registration of a Thrift Society is minimal - less than that of Credit Unions
- Minimum financial operating standards for Credit Union does not apply to Thrift
PRO
- Supporting Secondary Body i.e. Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League (JCCUL) - higher affiliation cost
- Unrestricted ability to accept deposits from members
- Automatic availability of insurance facility for loans and savings portfolio
- Accepted players within the Financial Sector
- Weaker capital base
- Smaller membership base
- Not as recognized within the Financial Sector
CON
- Large start up capital required
- Bank-like concept in operations
- Erosion of uniqueness in operation i.e. Co-operative's concepts, principles and philosophy
- Competition from other entities within the financial sector, impacts negatively on operations of Credit Unions