National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) - an independent federal agency, based in Washington (State of Columbia), established by the U.S. Congress to oversee the federal credit union system. Today in the UK there are about 700 credit unions with assets exceeding 200 million pounds. In the UK, credit unions are a source of financing of people groups. This tool is not widely used. Worldwide credit union movement is represented by regional confederations and national organizations within the World Council of Credit Unions. A potential new member of a credit union must submit a recommendation of shareholders in which the referee becomes a warrant of a future member of the credit union.