Fund of Mutual Financial Aid of the credit union can be extended by sponsorship contributions from businesses, organizations, including on a returnable basis. Most modern credit unions represent specialized consumer cooperatives of citizens associated by the principle of social community: place of work, place of residence, profession, or any other shared interest. The difference between credit unions and banks is clearly is apparent when comparing the structure of assets and liabilities of credit unions and banks. As of the January 1, 2012 the national associations and confederations unite more than 196 million members participating in the 51,013 credit unions in 100 countries. Credit unions appeared in England in the 19th century. In 1844 a group of workers from Rochdale established the first cooperative. Contributions from of shareholders in credit unions in no way can be considered as borrowed funds, they come from the shareholders and for the shareholders and can not be used to provide services to third parties. In some cases, the initiators of credit unions can be trade unions, associations such as social support centers and others. In the UK, credit unions are a source of financing of people groups. This tool is not widely used. To increase the number of credit unions in 1979 was adopted the corresponding law that serves as the legal basis of their activity.