Skip to main content

Federally Insured Credit Unions Assets Grow $113B During 2019, But Small CUs Still Struggling


ALEXANDRIA, Va.–Federally insured credit unions during 2019 grew total assets by $113 billion (7.8%), loans by $64 billion (6.2%) and membership was up by 4.2 million, according to NCUA’s Quarterly Credit Union Data Summary for Q4 2019.

Credit unions also showed improvements in net interest margins and ROA. But CUs in the smallest asset categories once again showed declines in lending and membership.
The data is based on call reports from 5,236 federally insured CUs, representing approximately 120.4 million members.
According to the report, here’s how credit unions performed during Q4 and 2019:

Performance by Asset Category
In its analysis, NCUA once again noted consistent with long-running trends, credit unions with assets of at least $1 billion reported the strongest growth in loans, membership, and net worth over the year ending in the fourth quarter of 2019. Credit unions with less than $500 million in assets reported declines in those categories over the year.
Specifically:
  • The number of federally insured credit unions with assets of at least $1 billion increased to 330 in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 308 in the fourth quarter of 2018. These 330 credit unions held $1.1 trillion in assets or 68% of total system assets. Credit unions in this category reported loan growth of 9.7%. Membership rose 8.4%. Net worth increased by 12.4%.
  • The number of federally insured credit unions with assets of at least $500 million but less than $1 billion rose to 247 in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 237 in the fourth quarter of 2018. These 247 credit unions held $172.7 billion in total assets, or 11% of total system assets. Credit unions in this category reported a 1.9% increase in total loans outstanding over the year. Membership rose 0.3% and net worth increased by 3.3%.
  • The number of federally insured credit unions with at least $100 million but less than $500 million in assets declined to 1,018 in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 1,026 in the fourth quarter of 2018. These 1,018 credit unions held $227.8 billion in total assets or 15% of total system assets. Credit unions in this category reported a 3.0% decline in total loans outstanding. Membership fell 4.6%. Net worth edged up 0.6%.
  • The number of federally insured credit unions with at least $50 million but less than $100 million in assets declined to 677 in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 688 in the fourth quarter of 2018. These 677 credit unions held $48.5 billion in total assets or 3% of total system assets. Credit unions in this category reported a 2.4% decrease in total loans. Membership fell 4.3%. Net worth rose by 1.1%.
  • The number of federally insured credit unions with assets of at least $10 million but less than $50 million declined to 1,635 in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 1,695 in the fourth quarter of 2018. These credit unions held $41.3 billion in assets or 3% of total system assets. Credit unions in this category reported a 3.0% decrease in loans. Membership declined by 5.8%. Net worth fell 1.0%.
  • The number of federally insured credit unions with less than $10 million in assets declined to 1,329 in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 1,421 in the fourth quarter of 2018. These credit unions held $5.5 billion in assets or 0.4% of total system assets. Credit unions in this category reported a 7.0% decline in loans. Membership fell 9.1%. Net worth declined by 4.6%. 

The full report can be found here.

Rember, "You're Not Alone With NCOFCU"!

See you in New Orleans 10/2-10/20


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Sunday Reading - Individual Retirement Accounts

  Individual Retirement Accounts     Inside IRAs Individual retirement accounts, or IRAs, are tax-advantaged   investment accounts that help individuals save for retirement. The money you put into an IRA is used to invest in stocks, bonds, and other assets. Anyone who earns an income—regardless of whether they are a full-timer, a part-timer, or a contractor—can open and invest in an IRA. IRAs are often good solutions for people who don’t have the option to invest in a 401(k) ( 1440 Topics )—or for those who want to put even more money aside for retirement.   Depending on the type of IRA someone gets, they will have access to either a tax-deferred or...

Sheehans Consulting LLC - "We only have one goal in mind!"

We have one goal in mind: “What is best for you? We achieve strategic initiatives, develop products, optimize profitability and productivity through best practices, and make our firm a strong asset for professional services.  With over 30 years of experience in public administration, credit union, and association management, I have developed a solid track record in leadership and development.  Please visit us at https://www.sheehansconsultingllc.com/ to learn more about what we can do for you.   _________________________________________ Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Financial Literacy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board

Best Places to Retire

  List: Best Places to Retire Midland, Michigan , was ranked the best place to retire , according to a ranking of 850 cities by U.S. News . The top locations had the best mix of affordability, quality of life, health care access, and other benefits. The top five were rounded out by Weirton, West Virginia , Homosassa Springs, Florida , The Woodlands, Texas , and Spring, Texas . Midland scored top marks on walkability , culture , retail establishments , and restaurants . The town is just a short drive from beaches at the edge of Lake Huron . The top 25 included nine cities in Florida and six in Texas. See the full list here . _________________________________________ Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Financial Literacy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board

Trump Administration Reverses Course, Restores CDFI Fund Staff In Major Win for Credit Unions

WASHINGTON—In a sharp reversal of the Trump Administration’s earlier move, the mass reduction-in-force (RIF) notices issued to all employees of the CDFI Fund last month have been rescinded, according to internal emails reviewed by Punchbowl News. The notices had threatened terminations in December as part of a broader effort by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Director Russ Vought to pressure congressional Democrats to drop their objections in the budget-funding fight. For the credit-union movement, the signal is loud and clear: critical community-development infrastructure may yet be preserved, sources stated. “Reinstating the entire CDFI Fund staff is an essential and welcome step toward restoring a program that has proven itself indispensable to underserved and military communities,” said DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer Jaso Stverak. “The CDFI Fund isn’t just another federal initiative—it is a lifeline for servicemembers, veterans, and low-income families who rely on miss...

Now Available - "Financial Literacy" From NCOFCU

https://www.ncofcu.org/financial-literacy The National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions (NCOFCU) is dedicated to enhancing financial literacy among our members, members, particularly targeting the Millennial and Gen Z demographics. We are excited to share our engaging financial education video series, designed to address their key concerns regarding earning, saving, and spending money wisely. Here are several critical financial lessons that can significantly impact your personal finance management and long-term financial health. Discover how staying informed and educated about financial products and market trends can empower you to make smarter financial decisions. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT3lzRTXnHw4LjHuOIk31eTDxaQ7J7B0f   _________________________________________ Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Financial Literacy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board

Navigating Cryptocurrency Risks: Education Is Key

 By Lou Grilli PSCU Interest often outpaces understanding in this space; avoid scams by boosting knowledge. Although the first cryptocurrency launched in 2009, participation and speculation accelerated rapidly over the last two years with terms like NFT and dogecoin entering the daily lexicon. However, interest often outpaces understanding in the cryptocurrency discussion, and people who are just getting involved need to be aware of the security risks. Although most credit unions may not yet be involved in the cryptocurrency sphere, education is essential to avoid dangerous crypto scams. Crypto 101 Designed to unlock new forms of financial operation, cryptocurrency has the potential to ease and expedite payments. Transactions move at the speed of blockchain, typically requiring minutes, unlike the next-business-day timeframes for the automated clearing house network. In addition, payments made via cryptocurrency do ...

The hidden cost of loyalty: How internal promotions impact credit union executive compensation.

Break the cycle of below-market pay while preserving your credit union's promotion culture Credit unions so widely embrace internal promotion that it has moved beyond being a common staffing practice and has become a cultural norm. That’s a good thing in many ways. For example, promoting from within can foster organizational continuity, reinforce credit unions’ mission-driven ethos, and encourage employee loyalty and engagement. However, internal promotion also carries hidden costs, particularly when it comes to executive compensation. This article explores the strategic balance credit unions can find between the benefits of a promotion culture and the often-overlooked consequences of internal hiring, including inadvertently suppressing executive compensation, and how this suppression poses significant strategic challenges. Additionally, we will highlight practical steps that credit unions can take to mitigate these challenges and ensure competitive alignment of both internal promo...

Trump Administration Declares CFPB Funding Illegal, Bureau’s Cash To Run Out By Early 2026

WASHINGTON—Credit-unions face a potential regulatory vacuum as the Trump Administration formally has determined the CFPB’s current self-funding mechanism unlawful—a move that could put the agency on a path to closure in early 2026 unless Congress steps in. For credit-union leaders, who rely on the Bureau’s oversight of consumer-finance markets and enforcement of unfair practices, the decision signals a major disruption to the regulatory environment CUs navigate daily. In a court filing released late Monday, the Administration declared that the CFPB is now legally barred from seeking additional funds from the Federal Reserve System—the agency’s usual funding source under the Dodd‑Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, POLITICO reported. That means the Bureau’s remaining resources will likely carry it only through the end of the year, after which it “anticipates exhausting its currently available funds in early 2026.” CUToday.info has tracked this story, noting in  Oct...

Are Credit Unions Serving First Responders Ready for the Coronavirus?

As the coronavirus outbreak continues to grow are credit unions serving first responders ready? Credit unions serving first responders will be a primary point of contact as first responders come off duty and into the credit union. ARLINGTON, Va.—How effective are credit union plans for addressing pandemics and business continuity?   It’s a question credit unions need to be asking right now as the coronavirus outbreak continues to grow. Death tolls this week topped 1,100, with a record 100 officially reported as getting sick in a day. The coronavirus has already surpassed SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in number of affected and killed. Experts told CUToday.info the growth of the coronavirus that CUs should be reviewing their pandemic and business continuity plans, which likely have not been visited since the SARS outbreak in 2002. “I think it's too early to tell what kind of impact the coronavirus may have here in the U.S.,” said NAFCU Vice ...

Nearly Half of Americans Say They Are Currently Living Paycheck to Paycheck; Survey Finds Other Worries, as Well

ST. LOUIS–Some 70% of Americans have lived paycheck to paycheck at some point during the pandemic, and nearly half (48%) are living paycheck to paycheck right now, according to a new survey. The survey, released by Real Estate Witch, a unit of Clever, said the financial strains are coming as rental rates have leapt 17.8% over just this past year, and Americans have quit their jobs in droves, willingly taking pay cuts and leaving behind 10.9 million unfilled jobs in December. Real Estate Witch surveyed 1,000 Americans about their financial struggles during the pandemic and their expectations for the year ahead, and said it found households are stretched thin, with limited savings to cushion their spending. “Two years since the onset of the pandemic, most Americans have bleak outlooks on the housing market, as many have delayed their plans to sell or buy, and interest rates are climbing once again,” the company said in releasing its findings. The Key Findings Among the survey findin...