Like the credit cooperatives, credit unions form associations of a higher level, which are called corporate credit unions. Credit unions perform the function of social protection in a vital for people sphere of financial services. They care about improving the financial literacy of the population, are working on the formation of their members and their employees. International cooperation has been particularly felt since the days when Alphonse Desjardins began the activity on development of credit union movement in North America. Unlike banks credit unions limit their activities to a closed circle of people.