Corporate credit unions are united on a cooperative basis in the Central Credit Union (US Central Credit Union). Credit unions encourage savings of citizens, setting compensation payments (interest) on savings and provide from these savings loans to their members. Typically new members of the credit union become citizens having suretyship or recommendations from their friends - members of the credit union. Among the U.S. credit unions, there are three groups that differ in terms of assets, shareholders, and business services. International cooperation has been particularly felt since the days when Alphonse Desjardins began the activity on development of credit union movement in North America. Initially, the target groups of credit unions were farmers (Raiffeisen), and now they include both individuals (credit unions), and organizations. Credit unions encourage the proper use of shareholders savings, developing social programs (education, health, recreation, housing, etc.).