Unsecured personal loans lead 0.2% increase in CU loans in March

Credit union loans outstanding increased 0.2% in March, compared to a 0.2% decrease in February of 2021 and a 0.3% increase in March of 2020, according to CUNA’s latest Monthly Credit Union Estimates.

Unsecured personal loans led loan growth during the month, rising 2.6%, followed by used auto loans (0.7%), and fixed-rate mortgages (0.6%). On the decline during the month were adjustable-rate mortgages (-1.3%), home equity loans (-1.7%), other mortgage loans (-2.0%), credit card loans (-2.5%), and new auto loans (-3.2%).

Credit union savings balances increased 4.4% in March, compared to a 1.8% increase in February of 2021 and a 0.9% increase in March of 2020. Share drafts led savings growth during the month, rising 7.1%, followed by regular share (6.9%), money market accounts (2.8%), and individual retirement accounts (1.0%).

On the decline during the month were one-year certificates (-0.2%).

Credit unions’ 60+ day delinquency remained at 0.5% in March.

The loan-to-savings ratio decreased from 72.1% in February to 69.2% in March. The liquidity ratio (the ratio of surplus funds maturing in less than one year to borrowings plus other liabilities) increased from 21.5% in February to 22.7% in March.

Total credit union memberships grew 0.3% during March to 127.7 million.

The movement’s overall capital-to-asset decreased to 9.8% in March from 10.1% in February. The total dollar amount of capital increased by 0.2% to $195.3 billion