CU CEO Confidence Declines Again InSurvey

DALLAS - (04/01/05) Confidence in the economy continues todecline among credit union CEOs participating in a survey sponsoredby Southwest Corporate. SWFCU said it has found an increasingnumber indicate they think that the economic conditions for creditunions are likely to get worse in the latest Credit Union CEOConfidence Survey, conducted quarterly by Southwest Corporate. TheCU CEO Confidence index dropped to its lowest point in the last sixquarters and is in step with a recent two-month decline in consumerconfidence, as measured by the U.S. Conference Board. The quarterlyCU CEO Confidence Index survey asks credit union executive toassess the current financial condition of their credit union andtheir credit union members as well as expected conditions sixmonths from now. The confidence index has fallen sharply sincehitting its high point in mid-2004. The index stood at 34.81 at theend of March, down from 38.75 in December.