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.). Corporate credit unions are united on a cooperative basis in the Central Credit Union (US Central Credit Union). 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. Principles of cooperative democracy and interaction were adequate to the purposes for which people joined credit unions. A potential new member of a credit union must submit a recommendation of shareholders in which the referee becomes a warrant of a future member of the credit union. Credit unions are competitors of savings institutions, adding interest on deposits of members. This applies to the shares, as well as to additional funds transferred to the account in the credit union. In the UK, credit unions are a source of financing of people groups. This tool is not widely used. Credit Union - a non-profit financial institution specialized in mutual financial assistance by providing savings and credit services to their members. Unlike banks, in order to use the services of a credit union, you have to become its member, having written an application and having paid thus shares and membership fee.