Like the credit cooperatives, credit unions form associations of a higher level, which are called corporate credit unions. In the U.S. credit unions timely and full repayment of loans is a common phenomenon. Unpaid and delinquent loans are not more than 3% of their amount. Typically new members of the credit union become citizens having suretyship or recommendations from their friends - members of the credit union. Over 30% of the assets of credit unions are investments in government securities, certificates of deposit of banks and savings loan associations, as well as in the parent credit unions, and other risk-free investments. Credit unions, like today's credit unions, emerged in the 19th century in Germany as a result of crop failure and famine. Unlike banks credit unions limit their activities to a closed circle of people.