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.). To get a loan in the credit union a shareholder must be not only a formally adopted there, but necessary pay in cash contributions, the amount and order of payment of which approved by the General Assembly and fixed by the charter. Credit unions also differ from the traditional consumer cooperatives. First central bank of credit unions appeared in 1876. Credit unions began to appear rapidly in many European countries. The main activities of credit unions, aimed at the organization of mutual aid and social support of citizens is not intended to profit. The supreme body of the World Council of Credit Unions is the Assembly, which elects the president and the board of directors of WOCCU. 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.