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 economic basis of credit unions - finances of a household. The main objective of the credit union - to ensure financial stability of a household, to ensure the priority of their shareholders' financial interests. Credit unions encourage savings of citizens, setting compensation payments (interest) on savings and provide from these savings loans to their members. Among the U.S. credit unions, there are three groups that differ in terms of assets, shareholders, and business services. 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. Initially, the target groups of credit unions were farmers (Raiffeisen), and now they include both individuals (credit unions), and organizations. Credit union as a consumer cooperative operates on the principles of equality of all its members.
Credit unions encourage savings of citizens, setting compensation payments (interest) on savings and provide from these savings loans to their members. Among the U.S. credit unions, there are three groups that differ in terms of assets, shareholders, and business services. The economic basis of credit unions - finances of a household. The main objective of the credit union - to ensure financial stability of a household, to ensure the priority of their shareholders' financial interests.