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. Typically new members of the credit union become citizens having suretyship or recommendations from their friends - members of the credit union. National Credit Union Insurance Fund was created by Congress in 1970 to insure deposits of credit union members in the amount of 100 thousand dollars. The main activities of credit unions, aimed at the organization of mutual aid and social support of citizens is not intended to profit. Contributions from of shareholders in credit unions in no way can be considered as borrowed funds, they come from the shareholders and for the shareholders and can not be used to provide services to third parties. The relationship between credit unions and shareholders arise from the membership and are not customer relationship. Shareholders in corporate organizations are basic credit unions, besides the same union can be a shareholder of several corporate organizations. Unlike banks, in order to use the services of a credit union, you have to become its member, having written an application and having paid thus shares and membership fee.