Borrowing rate for the credit union is a source of income to cover the administrative costs. All excess funds are returned to members in the form of dividends on savings. Like the credit cooperatives, credit unions form associations of a higher level, which are called corporate credit unions. The difference between credit unions and banks is clearly is apparent when comparing the structure of assets and liabilities of credit unions and banks. Credit union services are available only to its shareholders. Credit unions, like today's credit unions, emerged in the 19th century in Germany as a result of crop failure and famine.