Most modern credit unions represent specialized consumer cooperatives of citizens associated by the principle of social community: place of work, place of residence, profession, or any other shared interest. 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. Credit unions appeared in England in the 19th century. In 1844 a group of workers from Rochdale established the first cooperative. Today, the World Council of Credit Unions is represented as members four regional confederations and twelve national associations.