Rwanda Credit Unions Member & Non-member

The paper states that both members and non-members of credit unions choose to have a savings account and ask for a loan. However, majority of members would like to have services that come with checking accounts as they would like to write and cash cheques, and use the automatic teller machine (ATM). The difference between members and non-members is that many more members want services that come with checking accounts than non-members. This could be a reflection of the difference between those that live the situation of credit union membership and those that do not. The paper describes:

• Economic activities of Rwandan credit union members and non-members;
• How the Rwandan people use the credit union and the commercial banking systems;
• Services credit unions offer;
• Credit needs of Rwandans.

The paper presents findings from one hundred interviews of credit union members and non-members highlighted the characteristics, services used, reasons for none use of the services offered by credit unions and, services not supply by credit unions, but members demand. The paper concludes that:

• Credit unions are the primary source of credit for business, education and equipment loans;
• Rwandans trust credit unions more than commercial banks;
• Members are better educated than non-members.