Most modern credit unions represent specialized consumer cooperatives of citizens associated by the principle of social community: place of work, place of residence, profession, or any other shared interest. 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). Among the U.S. credit unions, there are three groups that differ in terms of assets, shareholders, and business services. International cooperation has been particularly felt since the days when Alphonse Desjardins began the activity on development of credit union movement in North America.