Credit unions are unique financial organizations with roots back to the 1800’s in Germany when failing farmers sought relief from loan sharks. The farmers and similar groups banded together to pool their funds and make loans to each other. This spirit of cooperation was so effective that it moved to other parts of Europe and into North America. Family members and domestic partners—family members are defined as spouse, parents, grandparents, children (natural, adopted, or foster), siblings, grandchildren, and spouses of such members