Some credit unions are closed, serving only their members. However, the more and more popularitywin cooperatives of open type. 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. The difference between credit unions and banks is clearly is apparent when comparing the structure of assets and liabilities of credit unions and banks. Among the U.S. credit unions, there are three groups that differ in terms of assets, shareholders, and business services. Over 30% of the assets of credit unions are investments in government securities, certificates of deposit of banks and savings loan associations, as well as in the parent credit unions, and other risk-free investments. Credit unions, like today's credit unions, emerged in the 19th century in Germany as a result of crop failure and famine.