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. In recent decades, many credit unions began to resort to such form of service as Credit unions encourage the proper use of shareholders savings, developing social programs (education, health, recreation, housing, etc.). Credit Union - one of the most attractive financial institutions for the public being a non-profit alternative to banks.