Like the credit cooperatives, credit unions form associations of a higher level, which are called corporate credit unions. The main advantage of credit unions consists in transparency, controllability, governance for shareholders. Since the early 80's started the process of consolidation of credit unions, leading to a decrease in their number with a simultaneous increase in the total number of members. 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). Initially, the target groups of credit unions were farmers (Raiffeisen), and now they include both individuals (credit unions), and organizations. The value of credit unions is not limited to the role of the economic agent - they are an important element of the social structure and a factor of social stability and progress. The relationship between credit unions and shareholders arise from the membership and are not customer relationship. Credit unions, like today's credit unions, emerged in the 19th century in Germany as a result of crop failure and famine. The right to use the services of the credit union have only its members. Credit union as a consumer cooperative operates on the principles of equality of all its members.