Specialization of credit unions to provide financial services to its shareholders requires a particularly strict regulation of membership and acceptable activities. First central bank of credit unions appeared in 1876. Credit unions began to appear rapidly in many European countries. 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. International cooperation has been particularly felt since the days when Alphonse Desjardins began the activity on development of credit union movement in North America. The value of credit unions is not limited to the role of the economic agent - they are an important element of the social structure and a factor of social stability and progress.