To get a loan in the credit union a shareholder must be not only a formally adopted there, but necessary pay in cash contributions, the amount and order of payment of which approved by the General Assembly and fixed by the charter. When organizing the credit union it is important that people know each other and know the extent to which each of them is trustworthy. Credit union services are available only to its shareholders. Until the 70's there was a proliferation of the U.S. credit unions due to the increase of their number and the number of shareholders, although it must be acknowledged that there was also and a qualitative growth. Credit unions appeared in England in the 19th century. In 1844 a group of workers from Rochdale established the first cooperative. Initially, the target groups of credit unions were farmers (Raiffeisen), and now they include both individuals (credit unions), and organizations. 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. In the UK, credit unions are a source of financing of people groups. This tool is not widely used. Today, the World Council of Credit Unions is represented as members four regional confederations and twelve national associations.