Fund of Mutual Financial Aid of the credit union can be extended by sponsorship contributions from businesses, organizations, including on a returnable basis. In recent decades, many credit unions began to resort to such form of service as First central bank of credit unions appeared in 1876. Credit unions began to appear rapidly in many European countries. Credit unions, like today's credit unions, emerged in the 19th century in Germany as a result of crop failure and famine. Credit cooperatives and credit unions exist in many different forms. The main differences relate to the nature of the membership and the opening of a credit institution. The specifics of credit unions and, in some sense, their uniqueness lies in the fact that they work not for profit and do not appropriate profit. Worldwide credit union movement is represented by regional confederations and national organizations within the World Council of Credit Unions.