National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) - an independent federal agency, based in Washington (State of Columbia), established by the U.S. Congress to oversee the federal credit union system. 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. Credit unions encourage savings of citizens, setting compensation payments (interest) on savings and provide from these savings loans to their members. The number of shareholders of a credit union is limited and formalized by a list. Limit of the number is defined by the assembly and such assembly establishes the charter. First central bank of credit unions appeared in 1876. Credit unions began to appear rapidly in many European countries. The relationship of shareholders with credit union are not client-based, they are co-operative, based on different principles and standards, in particular, on the principles of the law of obligations. In the credit union compensation for use of the loan (interest) is a source of compensation for savings. Unlike banks credit unions limit their activities to a closed circle of people. Worldwide credit union movement is represented by regional confederations and national organizations within the World Council of Credit Unions.