Credit unions come to the U.S.
See the full version of Credit Union House.
Credit unions were still a new idea for many people in Stern's time.
He drew two cartoons to show that more and more states were passing laws to protect peoples’ deposits in credit unions the way bank deposits are protected.
In one, a busy credit union house welcomes two well-dressed new occupants, Illinois and Michigan.
In another cartoon, Stern draws a map of the U.S. as a puzzle. As states pass laws to protect money in credit unions, new pieces are being added to the puzzle.
The puzzle is not finished, but all the pieces are there. This shows that, in time, credit unions in every state will be able to serve members.
Click image to see full version of Credit Union Map.
Today there are credit unions in every state—roughly 90 million credit union members in the U.S. alone.
You can borrow money safely
Communism is a form of government that purports to take care of all working people equally.
In the 1920s, communists tried to convince American workers that communism would make their lives better.
But in other countries, especially Russia, communism didn't make people’s lives better. It only took away their freedoms.
In this cartoon, Stern shows a credit union helping people save and borrow safely. The full dinner pail is a symbol for the ability to have better lives and also keep the freedom that democracy in America provides.
Here and now
See the full version of The Agitator.
The worker's full dinner pail illustrates that credit unions help people save and borrow money safely, and thus have better lives. Mouse over the image to find out what the agitator is trying to do.
Although the credit union movement began elsewhere, the U.S. now leads the way with more than half the world's membership.
U.S. credit unions have changed their marketing strategies since the days of Joe Stern in the 1920s. With new technology, they're able to attract new members through the Internet. Click the credit union logo at the top right of this page to find out how your credit union can benefit you.
No matter how credit unions promote themselves, they still pride themselves on the fact that they are owned by their members, and not shareholders.
Madison, WI
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What makes credit unions so great? Members like you.
Every dollar you invest in your credit union earns you money while other members borrow it.
When you're ready for a loan, other members' savings will be there to help you out at the lowest possible cost.