Best wishes to everyone nationwide celebrating today, International Credit Union Day!

This year’s theme of “Local, trusted, serving you” perfectly captures what makes credit unions so appealing to consumers across the nation and around the globe.

Here in the U.S., the 90-million-plus Americans who are credit union members have an advantage over all other consumers in our nation: They experience, firsthand, the benefits of receiving financial services from member-owned, cooperative financial institutions—which practice a philosophy of putting people before profits.

In fact, in doing so, members and their families realize substantial, direct financial benefits: More than $7.5 billion this year alone from favorable rates and lower fees as a result of using credit unions rather than other financial institutions.

That breaks down to an average of $84 for each credit union member or $159 for each member household.

Because credit unions are member-owned, this savings stays right in local communities. It is no wonder, then, that survey after survey shows consumers trust credit unions to look out for their best interests more than any other type of financial institution.

Our goal, as committed credit union supporters, should be to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to realize these benefits through a simple, effective path to membership.

Best regards to you and your colleagues on this International Credit Union Day.

BILL CHENEY is president/CEO of the Credit Union National Association.