NET LIQUIDITY CHANGE
FOR U.S. CREDIT UNIONS | DATA AS OF 06.30.22
© Callahan & Associates | CreditUnions.com

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The federal government took a variety of steps to provide economic
relief during the first year of the pandemic, including distributing
trillions of dollars directly to consumers. As a result, credit union
shares grew at record rates – well outpacing loan growth – leading to
sizeable increases in liquidity. However, with the pandemic now mostly
in the rearview mirror, credit unions are beginning to unwind the
liquidity built up during the crisis. Credit unions reported 6.6%
quarterly growth in outstanding loan balances as of 2Q22, well outpacing
share growth over the same period, leading to liquidity outflows of
$82.3 billion since March. This is a large change from 1Q22, when
liquidity moderately increased by $16.8 billion.
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As economic activity expands, this liquidity is being converted from
cash into impactful loans. Overall, the dollar value of loans rose by
$86.6 billion in the second quarter, increasing total loans by 6.6%.
This expansion was driven by credit union members taking out loans for
first mortgages (up $26.8 billion this quarter, or 5.36%) and used cars
(up $18.4 billion this quarter, or 6.72%). Both growth rates are
five-year highs. The loan-to-share ratio has increased from 70.22% in
March to 74.73% at the half-year mark.
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Not only is this loan growth helping members purchase homes and cars,
it also translates to an impact on earnings for credit unions. As cash
balances are converted into loans, credit unions increase earnings off
the higher yield. Net interest margin is beginning to tick up, rising 10
basis points from the end of March to 2.67%.
- Rising interest rates make it unclear whether this record loan demand will continue. However, the effects of the economic reopening and federal relief funds on the demand for auto and home financing have certainly led to a repurposing of credit union liquidity.
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