A primary purpose of credit unions in furthering their goal of service is to encourage members to save money. Members pool their assets - that is, their money - to form the basis of the credit union's other financial services. One of these services, and another purpose of a credit union, is to offer loans to members. Traditionally, credit unions have made loans available to people of ordinary means, thus, members who may not be eligible for loans elsewhere may be able to get a loan at their credit union. Credit unions can charge lower rates for loans (in addition to paying higher dividends on savings) because they are nonprofit cooperatives. Rather than paying profits to stockholders, credit unions return earnings to members in the form of dividends or improved services. The purpose of the FAA Federal Credit Union is to maintain a sound, full-service financial institution managed with prudence, compassion, and vision, for maximum member benefit.