> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.centralcu.co.uk/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
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# What are shares?

Shares is another term for savings. Because the Credit Union is a co-operative, every member shares the ownership of the organisation. 
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_Every £1 in your savings account, represents £1 of shares. If you had £1,000 of savings / shares and the all the shares / savings in the business were worth £100,000, you’d own 1% of the Credit Union (£1,000 divided by £100,000 = 1%). _

These shares can be withdrawn, you don’t sell them on a stock exchange. Think of them** just like savings, with the added bonus that they give you part ownership of your Credit Union and a say in the way it is run. **

Importantly, they also entitle you to a [dividend](/en/article/how-much-interest-do-you-pay-on-savings-5fxosd/). This is a share of our profits based on how much you have in your account. [Read more about dividends. ](/en/article/how-much-interest-do-you-pay-on-savings-5fxosd/)