The economic basis of credit unions - finances of a household. The main objective of the credit union - to ensure financial stability of a household, to ensure the priority of their shareholders' financial interests. Credit unions attract people in the first place by the opportunity to get cash loan (credit) - quickly and relatively inexpensively. Is necessary that all shareholders of the credit union were members of a single community, would know each other well enough to enjoy mutual trust. First central bank of credit unions appeared in 1876. Credit unions began to appear rapidly in many European countries. 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.