U.S. credit unions have another significant difference from the credit cooperatives of farmers: the first have major proportion of short-term loans, the second - long and mostly in real estate. The difference between credit unions and banks is clearly is apparent when comparing the structure of assets and liabilities of credit unions and banks. When organizing the credit union it is important that people know each other and know the extent to which each of them is trustworthy. The first credit union in the United States was founded in 1909. by the group of Franco-American Catholics in Manchester, New Hampshire, and was called "Cooperative Credit Association of St. Mary. " Credit unions also differ from the traditional consumer cooperatives.
When organizing the credit union it is important that people know each other and know the extent to which each of them is trustworthy. The first credit union in the United States was founded in 1909. by the group of Franco-American Catholics in Manchester, New Hampshire, and was called "Cooperative Credit Association of St. Mary. " The difference between credit unions and banks is clearly is apparent when comparing the structure of assets and liabilities of credit unions and banks.