Historically, credit unions were preceded by widespread development of credit cooperation in many countries of Europe and America. Credit unions also differ from the traditional consumer cooperatives. The main advantage of credit unions consists in transparency, controllability, governance for shareholders. Membership in the credit union forms responsible citizens and conscientious attitude to their obligations as a norm of behavior, identify the value of a decent man's reputation in the business turnover. The main activities of credit unions, aimed at the organization of mutual aid and social support of citizens is not intended to profit. The relationship between credit unions and shareholders arise from the membership and are not customer relationship. In the UK, credit unions are a source of financing of people groups. This tool is not widely used. Credit unions base their activities on savings of shareholders, their shares and savings contributions, which make up the fund of mutual financial assistance - a source of cash loans to shareholders. The specifics of credit unions and, in some sense, their uniqueness lies in the fact that they work not for profit and do not appropriate profit.