Shareholders in corporate organizations are basic credit unions, besides the same union can be a shareholder of several corporate organizations. Worldwide credit union movement is represented by regional confederations and national organizations within the World Council of Credit Unions. Since the early 80's started the process of consolidation of credit unions, leading to a decrease in their number with a simultaneous increase in the total number of members. 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. All the members of the credit union, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religious and political beliefs, as well as the size of the monetary share have equal rights. Typically new members of the credit union become citizens having suretyship or recommendations from their friends - members of the credit union. 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.
Since the early 80's started the process of consolidation of credit unions, leading to a decrease in their number with a simultaneous increase in the total number of members. 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. Worldwide credit union movement is represented by regional confederations and national organizations within the World Council of Credit Unions.