What is A Sacco?

The word SACCO means Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization. A Sacco is owned,
managed and run by its members who have a common bond. Membership is open to all IDI staf
regardless of race, tribe, gender, political affiliation, religion or job status. A member of the Sacco
is a person admitted to membership after buying shares and paying a one time membership fee.
Objectives of a Sacco include but are not limited to:
1. Organize, promote the welfare and economic interests of its members

2. Provide a source of fair loans and reasonable rates of interest

3. Promote personal growth through the introduction of new products and services that will promote
the economic base of its members

4. Ensures progress of its members and society through continuous education programs, on proper
use of credit, reduction of poverty, human dignity and co-operation

A Sacco is Not
1. Individually owned by a group of people, but by all members who join the Sacco

2. A "Pyramid Scheme" or some form of a merry go round

3. A bank that will turn away people as bad credit risks

4. A subsidiary, franchise or branch of a company or financial services loan scheme

5. A "loan shark" with intentions of exploiting people

6. A profit making organization. Profit is not the motivating factor. Service to membership is the drive
and motive of this Sacco.

The difference between a Commercial Bank and a Sacco

At first glance the diference between a bank and a credit union/Sacco may seem insignificant, but
there are some distinct diferences between them in terms of business purpose, ownership,
regulation, operations and governance.

1. Banks emphasis is on business and consumer accounts while Saccos/Credit unions emphasis is on
member deposit and loan services

2. Banks are for-profit making financial institutions owned by people or private investors and
governed by a board of directors chosen by the shareholders.

3. Saccos are non-profit financial cooperatives owned by their members and governed by a board of
directors elected by, and from among, those members.

4. Usually there is a common bond among the members of a Sacco, such as belonging to the same
organization or living in the same geographical area. It is not the case with bank owners.

5. In a Sacco ownership every member is an equal owner while banks ownership depends on the
number of shares a shareholder owns.

6. Sacco Boards of Directors are elected by members. They are volunteers, and are not paid salaries
but given a minimal sitting allowance, if and when the Sacco can aford to do so. Banks Boards of
Directors are elected by the shareholders. They are paid and legally bound to make decisions that
benefit the shareholders.

7. Sacco/Credit union elections are held annually with each member getting a single vote regardless
of their amount of savings. Bank owners number of votes depends on the shares holdings.
8. In Saccos, no single member is allowed to own more than 25% of the totals shares while in a Bank
there is no such restrictions, one may own as many shares as they wish.