Historically, credit unions were preceded by widespread development of credit cooperation in many countries of Europe and America. Activity of the credit union consists of organizing mutual financial assistance by meeting the needs of its members in the services of saving and obtaining loans. Credit unions encourage savings of citizens, setting compensation payments (interest) on savings and provide from these savings loans to their members. First central bank of credit unions appeared in 1876. Credit unions began to appear rapidly in many European countries. Credit unions appeared in England in the 19th century. In 1844 a group of workers from Rochdale established the first cooperative.