Credit Union Assets and Delinquencies Grow in the Fourth Quarter (2024)

NCUA Releases 2023 Fourth Quarter Credit Union System Performance Data

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (March 12, 2024) – According to the latest financial performance data released today by the National Credit Union Administration, total assets in federally insured credit unions rose by $88 billion, or 4.1 percent, to $2.26 trillion over the year ending in the fourth quarter of 2023. Insured shares and deposits grew $37 billion, or 2.2 percent, to $1.72 trillion. The delinquency rate at federally insured credit unions was 83 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2023, up 21 basis points from one year earlier.

“The credit union system remains largely stable in its performance and remains resilient against a challenging interest rate and economic environment,” Chairman Todd M. Harper said. “However, the NCUA continues to see signs of financial strain on credit union balance sheets, along with growing consumer financial stress as reflected in the rising delinquency rate shown in the latest data. Credit union executives, administrators, and boards of directors must remain diligent in managing the safety-and-soundness and consumer financial protection risks within their institutions. Today’s marketplace requires active — not passive — management by all.”

Highlights from the NCUA’s Quarterly Data Summary Report for the fourth quarter of 2023 include:

  • The credit union system’s net worth increased by $8.7 billion, or 3.8 percent, over the year to $24.5 billion.
  • The return on average assets for federally insured credit unions was 69 basis points in 2023, down from 88 basis points in 2022. The median return on average assets across all federally insured credit unions was 60 basis points, up 10 basis points from a year earlier.
  • Net income for federally insured credit unions in 2023 totaled $15.2 billion, down $3.5 billion, or 18.8 percent, from 2022. Interest income rose $26.6 billion, or 37.3 percent, over the year to $98.1 billion. Non-interest income rose $1.2 billion, or 4.9 percent, to $25.0 billion, largely reflecting an increase in other non-interest income.
  • The delinquency rate on non-commercial real estate loans was 56 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2023, 13 basis points higher than in the fourth quarter of 2022. The credit card delinquency rate rose to 211 basis points from 148 basis points one year earlier. The auto loan delinquency rate increased 23 basis points over the year to 90 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2023.
  • The net charge-off ratio was 61 basis points, up 27 basis points compared with the fourth quarter of 2022.
  • Total loans outstanding increased $96.2 billion, or 6.4 percent, over the year, to $1.60 trillion. The average outstanding loan balance in the fourth quarter of 2023 was $17,922, up $778, or 4.5 percent, from one year earlier.
  • Total shares and deposits rose by $31.2 billion, or 1.7 percent, over the year to $1.88 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2023.

The NCUA makes credit union system performance data available in the Credit Union Analysis section of NCUA.gov. The analysis section includes quarterly data summaries and detailed financial information, a graphics package illustrating financial trends in federally insured credit unions, and a spreadsheet listing all federally insured credit unions that filed a call report as of December 31, 2023, including key metrics.

Credit Union Assets and Delinquencies Grow in the Fourth Quarter (2024)

FAQs

Credit Union Assets and Delinquencies Grow in the Fourth Quarter? ›

Highlights from the NCUA's Quarterly Data Summary Report for the fourth quarter of 2023 include: The credit union system's net worth increased by $8.7 billion, or 3.8 percent, over the year to $24.5 billion.

Is the credit union industry growing? ›

The market size of the Credit Unions industry increased 5.4% in 2023. Has the Credit Unions industry in the US grown or declined over the past 5 years? The market size of the Credit Unions industry in the US has grown 7.0% per year on average between 2018 and 2023.

What is the downfall of a credit union? ›

Limited accessibility. Credit unions tend to have fewer branches than traditional banks. A credit union may not be close to where you live or work, which could be a problem unless your credit union is part of a shared branch network and/or a large ATM network such as Allpoint or MoneyPass.

Will credit unions be affected by the bank collapse? ›

Credit unions are insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Just like the FDIC insures up to $250,000 for individuals' accounts of a bank, the NCUA insures up to $250,000 for individuals' accounts of a credit union. Beyond that amount, the bank or credit union takes an uninsured risk.

Are credit unions safer than banks during recession? ›

bank in a recession, the credit union is likely to fare a little better. Both can be hit hard by tough economic conditions, but credit unions were statistically less likely to fail during the Great Recession. But no matter which you go with, you shouldn't worry about losing money.

What is the economic outlook for credit unions in 2024? ›

April 2024

We are forecasting credit union savings balances to grow 3% in 2024, below the 7% long-run 30-year average. The credit union industry's average loan net charge-off rate rose to 0.77% in the fourth quarter, from 0.43% one year earlier.

Are credit unions more financially stable than banks? ›

Generally, credit unions are viewed as safer than banks, although deposits at both types of financial institutions are usually insured at the same dollar amounts. The FDIC insures deposits at most banks, and the NCUA insures deposits at most credit unions.

Why do banks hate credit unions? ›

First, bankers believe it is unfair that credit unions are exempt from federal taxation while the taxes that banks pay represent a significant fraction of their earnings—33 percent last year. Second, bankers believe that credit unions have been allowed to expand far beyond their original purpose.

Are credit unions safe in a market crash? ›

Credit unions are generally considered to be safer than banks during economic downturns due to their conservative approach to risk and their emphasis on financial robustness.

How risky are credit unions? ›

Just like banks, credit unions are federally insured; however, credit unions are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Instead, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is the federal insurer of credit unions, making them just as safe as traditional banks.

How likely is a credit union to fail? ›

Experts told us that credit unions do fail, like banks (which are also generally safe), but rarely. And deposits up to $250,000 at federally insured credit unions are guaranteed, just as they are at banks.

Can credit unions seize your money if the economy fails? ›

The FDIC and National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) oversee banks and credit unions, respectively. These federal agencies also provide deposit insurance. When a financial institution is federally insured, money deposited into a bank account will be secure even if the financial institution shuts down.

Will credit unions survive? ›

Although there is a prevailing assumption that small credit unions are barely surviving, that assumption has been debunked by the Filene report, "The Puzzle-Solving Approach That Enables Small Credit Unions to Thrive."

Which is safer, FDIC or NCUA? ›

The NCUA insures credit union accounts, while the FDIC provides insurance for bank accounts. They both come with the same limits on insurance coverage. A decision about whether to store money in a credit union or bank shouldn't be affected by which federal agency insures the institution.

What happens when a credit union fails? ›

If a credit union is placed into liquidation, the NCUA's Asset Management and Assistance Center (AMAC) will oversee the liquidation and set up an asset management estate (AME) to manage assets, settle members' insurance claims, and attempt to recover value from the closed credit union's assets.

Which bank is least likely to fail? ›

JPMorgan Chase, the financial institution that owns Chase Bank, topped our experts' list because it's designated as the world's most systemically important bank on the 2023 G-SIB list. This designation means it has the highest loss absorbency requirements of any bank, providing more protection against financial crisis.

Are credit unions declining? ›

The number of federally insured credit unions declined to 4,604 institutions in the fourth quarter of 2023, a drop of 156 financial institutions from a year ago, the National Credit Union Administration said Tuesday.

What is the credit union technology trend in 2024? ›

The Integration of AI and Machine Learning

Fraud Detection: AI systems flag potential fraud by analyzing transaction patterns, bolstering security for both credit unions and members. Automation of Processes: AI automates loan approvals and operational tasks, reducing turnaround times and minimizing errors.

Why do banks not like credit unions? ›

First, bankers believe it is unfair that credit unions are exempt from federal taxation while the taxes that banks pay represent a significant fraction of their earnings—33 percent last year. Second, bankers believe that credit unions have been allowed to expand far beyond their original purpose.

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