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Median Asset Growth Rate Higher; Median Delinquency Rate Declines Slightly

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (March 11, 2016) – Median growth rates for loans, assets, and shares and deposits at federally insured credit unions were positive in all states in 2015, according to state-level data compiled by the National Credit Union Administration and released today.

Nationally, median loan growth in federally insured credit unions was 4.0 percent during the year ending in the fourth quarter of 2015. Median asset growth was 3.3 percent, while median growth in shares and deposits was 3.6 percent. The median loan-to-share ratio was 62 percent, up slightly from a year earlier. The median total delinquency rate declined to 0.8 percent from 0.9 percent a year earlier.

The NCUA Quarterly U.S. Map Review, available online here, tracks credit union performance indicators in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The review also includes information on two key state-level economic indicators: unemployment rates and home price changes.

Median Loan Growth Again Positive in Every State; Washington, Alaska Highest

Nationally, median growth in loans outstanding was 4.0 percent during 2015, up from 3.8 percent in 2014. The highest median growth rates for loans were in Washington (9.0 percent) and Alaska (8.0 percent). Median loan growth was slowest in Arkansas (0.1 percent) and Pennsylvania (0.7 percent).

Utah, North Dakota Pace Nation on Aggregate Returns on Average Assets

Nationally, the aggregate return on average assets at federally insured credit unions was 75 basis points during 2015, down from 80 basis points over the previous year. The aggregate return on average assets was positive in every state during 2015. Utah (134 basis points) had the highest aggregate return, followed by North Dakota (109 basis points). New Jersey (21 basis points) and Connecticut (30 basis points) posted the lowest aggregate returns on average assets.

Median Asset Growth Rate 3.3 Percent with New Hampshire, Idaho Highest

Median asset growth was 3.3 percent nationally in the year ending in the fourth quarter of 2015, up from 2.0 percent a year earlier. Median asset growth was highest in New Hampshire (7.1 percent) and Idaho (7.0 percent). Median asset growth was slowest in New Jersey (0.7 percent) and Delaware (1.2 percent).

Median Shares and Deposits Growth Rate Increases; Idaho, New Hampshire Lead

Nationally, federally insured credit unions’ median growth rate in shares and deposits was 3.6 percent in the year ending in the fourth quarter of 2015, up from 1.8 percent during the previous year.

At the median, shares and deposits rose in each state over the year ending in the fourth quarter of 2015. The median growth rate in shares and deposits was highest in Idaho (7.5 percent) and New Hampshire (7.1 percent). The growth rate in shares and deposits was lowest in New Jersey (0.5 percent) and Delaware (1.2 percent).

Idaho, Alaska Report Highest Median Loan-to-Share Ratios

Nationally, the median ratio of loans outstanding to total shares and deposits was 62 percent at the end of the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to 61 percent at the end of the fourth quarter of 2014. The median loan-to-share ratio was highest among credit unions in Idaho (88 percent) and Alaska (83 percent). The median loan-to-share ratio was lowest in Hawaii (43 percent) and Delaware (45 percent).

Median Total Delinquency Rate Lower than 2014

The median total delinquency rate at federally insured credit unions was 0.8 percent nationally in the fourth quarter of 2015, down from 0.9 percent a year earlier. At the end of the fourth quarter, the median delinquency rate was lowest in North and South Dakota (both 0.4 percent). New Jersey (1.6 percent) reported the highest median delinquency rate, followed by Delaware and the District of Columbia (both 1.5 percent).

Membership Growth Trends Continue

Overall membership in credit unions continued to grow, although membership growth remained concentrated in larger credit unions. The median rate of growth was negative 0.2 percent. In the year ending in the fourth quarter of 2014, the median growth rate was negative 0.3 percent.

Nationally, 52 percent of federally insured credit unions had fewer members than a year earlier. Membership is generally falling at smaller credit unions. About 75 percent of credit unions that lost membership had less than $50 million in assets.

Alaska (3.9 percent) had the highest median membership growth rate, followed by Idaho and Maine (both 1.9 percent). Median membership growth was negative in 20 states, with Pennsylvania (-2.1 percent) ranking lowest.