The first credit union in the United States was founded in 1909. by the group of Franco-American Catholics in Manchester, New Hampshire, and was called "Cooperative Credit Association of St. Mary. " Credit unions encourage savings of citizens, setting compensation payments (interest) on savings and provide from these savings loans to their members. Specialization of credit unions to provide financial services to its shareholders requires a particularly strict regulation of membership and acceptable activities. 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. The main activities of credit unions, aimed at the organization of mutual aid and social support of citizens is not intended to profit. 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. The supreme body of the World Council of Credit Unions is the Assembly, which elects the president and the board of directors of WOCCU. The right to use the services of the credit union have only its members. To increase the number of credit unions in 1979 was adopted the corresponding law that serves as the legal basis of their activity.