Historically, credit unions were preceded by widespread development of credit cooperation in many countries of Europe and America. Members of credit unions place in credit unions usually free fund balances, ie those that remain after expenses devoted to education of children, the acquisition of new properties, additional pension benefits, etc. The main advantage of credit unions consists in transparency, controllability, governance for shareholders. International cooperation has been particularly felt since the days when Alphonse Desjardins began the activity on development of credit union movement in North America. Today, the World Council of Credit Unions is represented as members four regional confederations and twelve national associations.