Most modern credit unions represent specialized consumer cooperatives of citizens associated by the principle of social community: place of work, place of residence, profession, or any other shared interest. 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. " The difference between credit unions and banks is clearly is apparent when comparing the structure of assets and liabilities of credit unions and banks. Share contributions are transferred to the credit union on the basis of membership for the whole stay of a shareholder as member of the credit union and are the basis of membership. To reduce the risk of default on loans members of the credit union shall the joint guarantee. The supreme body of the World Council of Credit Unions is the Assembly, which elects the president and the board of directors of WOCCU. U.S. credit unions have another significant difference from the credit cooperatives of farmers: the first have major proportion of short-term loans, the second - long and mostly in real estate.
The difference between credit unions and banks is clearly is apparent when comparing the structure of assets and liabilities of credit unions and banks. Share contributions are transferred to the credit union on the basis of membership for the whole stay of a shareholder as member of the credit union and are the basis of membership. 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. "