Credit unions encourage savings of citizens, setting compensation payments (interest) on savings and provide from these savings loans to their members. As of the January 1, 2012 the national associations and confederations unite more than 196 million members participating in the 51,013 credit unions in 100 countries. In some cases, the initiators of credit unions can be trade unions, associations such as social support centers and others. Unlike banks, in order to use the services of a credit union, you have to become its member, having written an application and having paid thus shares and membership fee. Today, the World Council of Credit Unions is represented as members four regional confederations and twelve national associations.