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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Dec. 12, 2016) – Federally insured credit unions saw continued improvement in nearly every category during the third quarter of 2016, 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 3.9 percent during the year ending in the third quarter. In the same period, median asset growth was 4.2 percent; the median rate of growth in deposits and shares was 4.5 percent; and the median loans-to-shares ratio rose to 63 percent.

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

Every State Shows Positive Median Loan Growth

Nationally, median growth in loans outstanding was 3.9 percent over the year ending in the third quarter of 2016, down slightly from 4.1 percent the previous year. The highest median growth rates for loans were in Washington (9.7 percent) and Oregon (8.1 percent). Median loan growth was lowest in Pennsylvania (0.1 percent) and Connecticut (0.8 percent).

Oregon Reports Highest Median Asset Growth Rate

Median asset growth was 4.2 percent nationally in the year ending in the third quarter of 2016, up from 2.4 percent a year earlier. Median asset growth was fastest in Oregon (8.7 percent), followed by Washington and Arizona (both 7.5 percent). Median asset growth was lowest in the District of Columbia (0.6 percent) and Arkansas (1.8 percent).

Shares and Deposits Rise in Every State

At the median, shares and deposits rose in every state over the year ending in the third quarter. Nationally, the median growth rate in shares and deposits was 4.5 percent, up from 2.3 percent a year earlier.

The median growth rate in shares and deposits was highest in Oregon (8.5 percent) and Arizona (8.2 percent). The median growth rate in shares and deposits was lowest in the District of Columbia (0.2 percent) and Arkansas (2.0 percent).

80 Percent of Credit Unions Report Positive Net Income

Nationally, 80 percent of federally insured credit unions had positive net income during the first three quarters of 2016, up from 78 percent in the first three quarters of 2015.

At least half of credit unions in every state had positive net income during the first three quarters of this year. The share of credit unions with positive net income was highest in Nevada (100 percent) and Iowa (94 percent). The share was lowest in Delaware (58 percent), followed by Arkansas, the District of Columbia and Wyoming (all 66 percent).

Nevada, Vermont Lead on Annualized Returns on Average Assets

Nationally, the median annualized return on average assets at federally insured credit unions was 37 basis points over the first three quarters of 2016, up from 35 basis points in the first three quarters of 2015.

Nevada (81 basis points) had the highest median return on average assets in the first three quarters of the year, followed by Vermont (79 basis points). Delaware (11 basis points) reported the lowest median return, followed by the District of Columbia (15 basis points).

Alaska, Idaho Pace Nation in Highest Median Loans-to-Shares Ratios

Nationally, the median ratio of loans outstanding to total shares and deposits was 63 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2016, compared to 62 percent a year earlier. The median loans-to-shares ratio was highest among credit unions in Alaska (87 percent) and Idaho (86 percent). The median loans-to-shares ratio was lowest in Delaware (43 percent) and Hawaii (46 percent).

Median Total Delinquency Rate Down From a Year Earlier

The median total delinquency rate at federally insured credit unions was 0.7 percent nationally in the third quarter of 2016, down slightly from 0.8 percent a year earlier. At the end of the third quarter, the median delinquency rate was lowest in New Hampshire and Nevada (both 0.3 percent) and highest in New Jersey (1.7 percent), followed by Delaware and Louisiana (both 1.3 percent).

Larger Credit Unions Still Leading Membership Growth

Overall, credit union membership continued its growth during the year ending in the third quarter of 2016; however, at the median, membership declined 0.1 percent.

The median membership growth rate was negative 0.2 percent over the previous year. Overall, 51 percent of federally insured credit unions had fewer members at the end of the third quarter of 2016 than a year earlier.

Approximately 75 percent of credit unions with declining membership had assets of less than $50 million.

Idaho (2.3 percent) had the highest median membership growth rate over the year ending in the third quarter of 2016, followed by Alaska (2.1 percent). Median membership growth was negative in 22 states. At the median, membership declined the most in Pennsylvania (-1.6 percent) and Oklahoma (-1.3 percent).