Like the credit cooperatives, credit unions form associations of a higher level, which are called corporate credit unions. Credit unions encourage savings of citizens, setting compensation payments (interest) on savings and provide from these savings loans to their members. First central bank of credit unions appeared in 1876. Credit unions began to appear rapidly in many European countries. The relationship of shareholders with credit union are not client-based, they are co-operative, based on different principles and standards, in particular, on the principles of the law of obligations. International cooperation has been particularly felt since the days when Alphonse Desjardins began the activity on development of credit union movement in North America. In some cases, the initiators of credit unions can be trade unions, associations such as social support centers and others. Credit unions are financial institutions, financial cooperatives of citizens, and in this capacity they are above all associations of people, not unification of capitals, which is typical, for example, for public companies. Credit Union - one of the most attractive financial institutions for the public being a non-profit alternative to banks.
First central bank of credit unions appeared in 1876. Credit unions began to appear rapidly in many European countries. The relationship of shareholders with credit union are not client-based, they are co-operative, based on different principles and standards, in particular, on the principles of the law of obligations. Credit unions encourage savings of citizens, setting compensation payments (interest) on savings and provide from these savings loans to their members.