In the U.S., credit unions have a clear organizational structure. All credit unions belong to one or the other parent credit union (there are 35 of them in the U.S.). Most modern credit unions represent specialized consumer cooperatives of citizens associated by the principle of social community: place of work, place of residence, profession, or any other shared interest. Activity of the credit union consists of organizing mutual financial assistance by meeting the needs of its members in the services of saving and obtaining loans. Over 30% of the assets of credit unions are investments in government securities, certificates of deposit of banks and savings loan associations, as well as in the parent credit unions, and other risk-free investments. Credit unions appeared in England in the 19th century. In 1844 a group of workers from Rochdale established the first cooperative. In the UK, credit unions are a source of financing of people groups. This tool is not widely used. Credit Union - one of the most attractive financial institutions for the public being a non-profit alternative to banks.