Credit unions attract people in the first place by the opportunity to get cash loan (credit) - quickly and relatively inexpensively. Specialization of credit unions to provide financial services to its shareholders requires a particularly strict regulation of membership and acceptable activities. To reduce the risk of default on loans members of the credit union shall the joint guarantee. Credit unions of the open type are still controlled by their members, but at the same time provide services to people who are not its members (external customers). The supreme body of the World Council of Credit Unions is the Assembly, which elects the president and the board of directors of WOCCU. 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. Today, the World Council of Credit Unions is represented as members four regional confederations and twelve national associations.