In the U.S., credit unions have a clear organizational structure. All credit unions belong to one or the other parent credit union (there are 35 of them in the U.S.). National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) - an independent federal agency, based in Washington (State of Columbia), established by the U.S. Congress to oversee the federal credit union system. The difference between credit unions and banks is clearly is apparent when comparing the structure of assets and liabilities of credit unions and banks. Credit unions of the open type are still controlled by their members, but at the same time provide services to people who are not its members (external customers). In the case of default the shareholder - individual will respond with its property and, in addition, is jointly and severally liable with the credit union's commitments.