Historically, credit unions were preceded by widespread development of credit cooperation in many countries of Europe and America. Representative organization, leading the coordination work in the field of development of both global and national credit union movement is the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) established in 1971 (headquartered in Madison, USA). Credit unions also differ from the traditional consumer cooperatives. Membership in the credit union forms responsible citizens and conscientious attitude to their obligations as a norm of behavior, identify the value of a decent man's reputation in the business turnover. International cooperation has been particularly felt since the days when Alphonse Desjardins began the activity on development of credit union movement in North America. The supreme body of the World Council of Credit Unions is the Assembly, which elects the president and the board of directors of WOCCU.