Membership in the credit union is voluntary and is open to all citizens bound by with joint work or residence, who wished to create a credit union to use its services and are willing to take on relevant commitments and responsibilities. The number of shareholders of a credit union is limited and formalized by a list. Limit of the number is defined by the assembly and such assembly establishes the charter. Typically new members of the credit union become citizens having suretyship or recommendations from their friends - members of the credit union. Income derived from the provision of services to its members, does not become the profit of credit union and is distributed among its members in proportion to their savings. In the credit union compensation for use of the loan (interest) is a source of compensation for savings. Credit unions appeared in England in the 19th century. In 1844 a group of workers from Rochdale established the first cooperative. 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. Unlike banks, in order to use the services of a credit union, you have to become its member, having written an application and having paid thus shares and membership fee. Unlike banks credit unions limit their activities to a closed circle of people.