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. " 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. Credit unions of the open type are still controlled by their members, but at the same time provide services to people who are not its members (external customers). The supreme body of the World Council of Credit Unions is the Assembly, which elects the president and the board of directors of WOCCU. To increase the number of credit unions in 1979 was adopted the corresponding law that serves as the legal basis of their activity. Credit union as a consumer cooperative operates on the principles of equality of all its members. A credit union on its own initiative order is created by citizens (individuals) to solve their financial problems that they could not solve in other financial institutions.
First central bank of credit unions appeared in 1876. Credit unions began to appear rapidly in many European countries. Credit unions of the open type are still controlled by their members, but at the same time provide services to people who are not its members (external customers). Credit unions encourage savings of citizens, setting compensation payments (interest) on savings and provide from these savings loans to their members.