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. The number of shareholders of a credit union is limited and formalized by a list. Limit of the number is defined by the assembly and such assembly establishes the charter. First central bank of credit unions appeared in 1876. Credit unions began to appear rapidly in many European countries. At the organization of the credit union it is important that people know each other and know the extent to which each of them is trustworthy. To reduce the risk of default on loans members of the credit union shall the joint guarantee. The main activities of credit unions, aimed at the organization of mutual aid and social support of citizens is not intended to profit. Standards by which credit unions build their work do not coincide with the standards and regulations of consumer cooperation of the usual type. U.S. credit unions have another significant difference from the credit cooperatives of farmers: the first have major proportion of short-term loans, the second - long and mostly in real estate. Unlike banks credit unions limit their activities to a closed circle of people. Worldwide credit union movement is represented by regional confederations and national organizations within the World Council of Credit Unions.