Historically, credit unions were preceded by widespread development of credit cooperation in many countries of Europe and America. International cooperation has been particularly felt since the days when Alphonse Desjardins began the activity on development of credit union movement in North America. Consumer loan and reliable savings - these are the main goals, which mean "natural persons" having decided to unite in credit consumer cooperative. The supreme body of the World Council of Credit Unions is the Assembly, which elects the president and the board of directors of WOCCU. Credit unions historically formed as a special form of social support, initially taken upon themselves the social mission of protecting the interests of citizens in the field of financial services.