To get a loan in the credit union a shareholder must be not only a formally adopted there, but necessary pay in cash contributions, the amount and order of payment of which approved by the General Assembly and fixed by the charter. Share contributions are transferred to the credit union on the basis of membership for the whole stay of a shareholder as member of the credit union and are the basis of membership. To reduce the risk of default on loans members of the credit union shall the joint guarantee. Since the early 80's started the process of consolidation of credit unions, leading to a decrease in their number with a simultaneous increase in the total number of members. Credit unions appeared in England in the 19th century. In 1844 a group of workers from Rochdale established the first cooperative. The relationship between credit unions and shareholders arise from the membership and are not customer relationship. The supreme body of the World Council of Credit Unions is the Assembly, which elects the president and the board of directors of WOCCU. Today, the World Council of Credit Unions is represented as members four regional confederations and twelve national associations.