It’s reporting season, and Callahan’s FirstLook provides an early look at credit union data. Looking for crucial insight about quarterly performance results weeks before the official data release from the NCUA? Callahan & Associates has you covered. Catch up on the latest trends below or dive deeper into the trends that matter to you with Peer Suite, Callahan’s online performance benchmarking tool. Schedule your demo today.
The latest batch of performance figures brings the FirstLook credit union data set to 99% of the industry for the first quarter. So, what’s notable about the quarter’s performance? And what does it suggest about today’s trends?
05.12.25 Update
- Shares at U.S. credit union grew 4.6% annually in the first quarter. This is the highest growth rate in more than two years and is a positive sign for credit union liquidity.
- Every share product grew in the first quarter. The $64.7 billion increase in the first quarter of 2025 exceeded 2024’s increase by nearly $11 billion.
- Both non-real estate and real estate originations increased from the first quarter of 2024. Quarter-over-quarter total originations did decline; however, that drop was less than in prior years.
- The net interest margin hit 3.23% in the first quarter — the highest it’s been since 2010.
- The delinquency ratio declined to 0.79%, the lowest it’s been in a year and a half.
- Read more about first quarter trends in “5 Takeaways From Trendwatch.”
05.05.25 UPDATE
- Operating expenses grew approximately $1 billion and closed out the first quarter 6.4% higher than in 2024. Employee compensation, which grew 6.7%, played a large role in this increase; however, member insurance and professional services also grew significantly.
- Return on assets increased slightly year-over-year to 0.67%. Net income grew 4.3%, with growth in loan interest (8.9%) outpacing growth in both investment income (0.6%) and other operating income (2.7%). Interest income rose 7.4%, whereas non-interest income fell 7.4% as credit unions rewarded members with lower fees.
- Growth in other real estate (17.9%) and commercial lending (11.5%) in the first quarter underpinned a 3.4% increase in the loan portfolio. Although credit card lending was up 3.8%, consumer lending continued to slow. Growth in auto, student, and other loans was all down — to 2.0%, 5.1%, and 1.4%, respectively. Within the auto portfolio, growth fell to 4.5% in new autos and 0.5% in used.
- As inflation pinches wallets and the U.S. economy flirts with a potential downturn, credit union members are turning to lines of credit and other borrowing to fund living expenses and larger purchases.
Trendwatch 1Q25: Watch It Today. Did you miss Trendwatch this quarter? Don’t fret — catch it on-demand. Find out what’s behind first quarter performance trends, explore credit union success, uncover hidden opportunities, and more. Watch it today.
See You Next Quarter! CreditUnions.com updates this page with the freshest FirstLook credit union performance data every quarter, so don’t forget to come back for insights into the second quarter of 2025.