Corporate credit unions are united on a cooperative basis in the Central Credit Union (US Central Credit Union). The uniqueness of credit unions is that they put together the principles and benefits of financial cooperatives, consumer cooperatives and mutual aid funds, born once by trade unions. The value of credit unions is not limited to the role of the economic agent - they are an important element of the social structure and a factor of social stability and progress. The relationship between credit unions and shareholders arise from the membership and are not customer relationship. Worldwide credit union movement is represented by regional confederations and national organizations within the World Council of Credit Unions.