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. " Principles of cooperative democracy and interaction were adequate to the purposes for which people joined credit unions. First Credit Union was savings unprofitable institution, or rather credit cooperative, providing services to its members. To reduce the risk of default on loans members of the credit union shall the joint guarantee. Consumer loan and reliable savings - these are the main goals, which mean "natural persons" having decided to unite in credit consumer cooperative. The relationship between credit unions and shareholders arise from the membership and are not customer relationship. On the consumer credit market in the U.S. credit unions are on the third place after the commercial banks and finance companies and are ahead of savings institutions, not taking into account the loans on real estate.
First Credit Union was savings unprofitable institution, or rather credit cooperative, providing services to its members. To reduce the risk of default on loans members of the credit union shall the joint guarantee. Principles of cooperative democracy and interaction were adequate to the purposes for which people joined credit unions.