Credit Union: only for the "select" ones?

[graylocks]

i just joined the Delta Community Credit Union this week and the guy talked a bit about the history of credit union. CUs used to be heavily regulated and could only be open to whatever group formed them. after all, in theory every member of a credit union is also an owner. sometimes in the 90s the regulations loosened as to what could define a 'group.' the credit union i joined used to be for Delta Airlines employees. they applied and were granted permission to widen their pool so now it includes Delta employees, employees from other airline related industries and residents of 11 counties in Georgia. every time they want to go into another county they have to apply to the state and the county. so their rules are not so much their choice but how the credit union charters began.