Credit unions attract people in the first place by the opportunity to get cash loan (credit) - quickly and relatively inexpensively. Credit unions encourage savings of citizens, setting compensation payments (interest) on savings and provide from these savings loans to their members. Typically new members of the credit union become citizens having suretyship or recommendations from their friends - members of the credit union. Credit unions encourage the proper use of shareholders savings, developing social programs (education, health, recreation, housing, etc.).