To date, credit unions - virtually the only form of financial institution where people can quickly and without any problems get a relatively inexpensive cash loan. 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. " Some credit unions are closed, serving only their members. However, the more and more popularitywin cooperatives of open type. First central bank of credit unions appeared in 1876. Credit unions began to appear rapidly in many European countries. Credit Union - a non-profit financial institution specialized in mutual financial assistance by providing savings and credit services to their members.