Historically, credit unions were preceded by widespread development of credit cooperation in many countries of Europe and America. Credit unions attract people in the first place by the opportunity to get cash loan (credit) - quickly and relatively inexpensively. The main advantage of credit unions consists in transparency, controllability, governance for shareholders. The main activities of credit unions, aimed at the organization of mutual aid and social support of citizens is not intended to profit. 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. Credit unions base their activities on savings of shareholders, their shares and savings contributions, which make up the fund of mutual financial assistance - a source of cash loans to shareholders. On the consumer credit market in the U.S. credit unions are on the third place after the commercial banks and finance companies and are ahead of savings institutions, not taking into account the loans on real estate. Unlike banks credit unions limit their activities to a closed circle of people.