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 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. In some cases, the initiators of credit unions can be trade unions, associations such as social support centers and others. Standards by which credit unions build their work do not coincide with the standards and regulations of consumer cooperation of the usual type. Worldwide credit union movement is represented by regional confederations and national organizations within the World Council of Credit Unions.