They’re not widely publicised, but co-operatives and mutuals give customers a different option to the major banks. You might not like the fact that the big banks dominate 90 per cent of the mortgage lending market or that the finance industry makes a fortune investing your compulsory super in other big companies that buy up smaller competitors but, according to most pundits, that’s capitalism. And, unless you want to live in a cave and weave baskets by candlelight, there is nothing that can be done about it. Except there is. Indeed, not only is an alternative possible, alternatives to the giant corporations chasing giant profits already exist and thrive in Australia.