TRADITIONAL CREDIT UNION (TCU) Who We Are: We are Australia's only Aboriginal owned and operated credit union. What We Do: We provide banking products and services, employment and training for Aboriginal people. Why We Matter: We assist Aboriginal people to overcome financial disadvantage. History The idea for the Traditional Credit Union (TCU) was originally developed by a group of Aboriginal Elders to provide financial services to residents of Arnhemland communities who were disadvantaged by a lack of banking and other financial services. We would not have developed any further if it weren't for grant funding received from the then Government Department ATSIC and the Arnhemland Progress Association. Through the tireless efforts of a number of Aboriginal Elders and the Arnhemland Progress Association we were incorporated as a credit union on the 5th December 1994. With our first remote branch opened in Milingimbi in 1995 we have grown to a network of fifteen branches. As a credit union, our members (whether individuals, family groups or organisations) are shareholders and hence the primary focus for us is the needs of our members.