Credit union services are available only to its shareholders. Share contributions are transferred to the credit union on the basis of membership for the whole stay of a shareholder as member of the credit union and are the basis of membership. International cooperation has been particularly felt since the days when Alphonse Desjardins began the activity on development of credit union movement in North America. Taking a decision to join a credit union, citizens create an organization through which they participate in the shared savings by mutual crediting and joint (collective) use of personal savings. Worldwide credit union movement is represented by regional confederations and national organizations within the World Council of Credit Unions.