Today in the UK there are about 700 credit unions with assets exceeding 200 million pounds. Credit unions perform the function of social protection in a vital for people sphere of financial services. They care about improving the financial literacy of the population, are working on the formation of their members and their employees. To reduce the risk of default on loans members of the credit union shall the joint guarantee. Income derived from the provision of services to its members, does not become the profit of credit union and is distributed among its members in proportion to their savings. The value of credit unions is not limited to the role of the economic agent - they are an important element of the social structure and a factor of social stability and progress. In the UK, credit unions are a source of financing of people groups. This tool is not widely used. To increase the number of credit unions in 1979 was adopted the corresponding law that serves as the legal basis of their activity.