Historically, credit unions were preceded by widespread development of credit cooperation in many countries of Europe and America. To date, credit unions - virtually the only form of financial institution where people can quickly and without any problems get a relatively inexpensive cash loan. Specialization of credit unions to provide financial services to its shareholders requires a particularly strict regulation of membership and acceptable activities. As of the January 1, 2012 the national associations and confederations unite more than 196 million members participating in the 51,013 credit unions in 100 countries. The relationship between credit unions and shareholders arise from the membership and are not customer relationship. Credit cooperatives and credit unions exist in many different forms. The main differences relate to the nature of the membership and the opening of a credit institution. The specifics of credit unions and, in some sense, their uniqueness lies in the fact that they work not for profit and do not appropriate profit. Credit Union - one of the most attractive financial institutions for the public being a non-profit alternative to banks. Worldwide credit union movement is represented by regional confederations and national organizations within the World Council of Credit Unions.
Specialization of credit unions to provide financial services to its shareholders requires a particularly strict regulation of membership and acceptable activities. As of the January 1, 2012 the national associations and confederations unite more than 196 million members participating in the 51,013 credit unions in 100 countries. To date, credit unions - virtually the only form of financial institution where people can quickly and without any problems get a relatively inexpensive cash loan.