Membership in the credit union is voluntary and is open to all citizens bound by with joint work or residence, who wished to create a credit union to use its services and are willing to take on relevant commitments and responsibilities. To reduce the risk of default on loans members of the credit union shall the joint guarantee. International cooperation has been particularly felt since the days when Alphonse Desjardins began the activity on development of credit union movement in North America. 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 the credit union compensation for use of the loan (interest) is a source of compensation for savings. Credit Union - a non-profit financial institution specialized in mutual financial assistance by providing savings and credit services to their members. Worldwide credit union movement is represented by regional confederations and national organizations within the World Council of Credit Unions. Corporate alliances are intermediaries between credit unions and financial markets.