Informal financial transactions organized by respected leaders who collect a set amount of money, monthly or weekly, from the members of a savings club. Each member receives a "turn" or payout, and everyone is required to remain in the club until each member has received his or her share. Africans have resorted to this system for centuries. Initially, money was not exchanged; rather, people contributed their work or some goods. Known, depending on the region, as esusu, asusu, or tontine, the rotating savings system is a mainstay of African communities. There are tontines of neighbors, friends, colleagues, and members of associations or religious institutions; people sometimes belong to several groups.