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I think the US (like always) is maybe a little lucky when it comes to CU's, but copying from my postscript I think if you were to look at the three things I mentioned - online, non profit and open source, non profit is the one I think is least differentiable if that makes any sense. I think an online open source bank is the real innovative part, not the non profit part.

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Don't forget, non-profit != not-for-profit.

Credit unions cannot really exist as non-profits; they aren't funded by donations, and they generally do have to operate at a small profit.

Most credit unions are not-for-profit. They must operate at a small surplus in order to guarantee solvency and operational cash. A typical company generates profits for the benefit of owners & shareholders, whereas the credit union not-for-profit generates profit to provide better services, better rates, etc.

(Non-profit status is usually for charities, and banking is not a charitable activity.)

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