Share Growth Slows To ATrickle

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - (08/18/05) – Share growth at thenation’s credit unions slowed to a glacier’s pace inthe second quarter of the year, while credit union struggled tomaintain their competitiveness, according to NCUA. Second quartershare growth was just 0.5%, the slowest in a decade, as creditunions continued to keep their dividend rates low to maintain theprofitability. As a result, profitability tipped upwards slightlyto 0.93% return-on-average assets, compared to 0.92% for the firstquarter, NCUA said. Loan growth was strong in the second quarter,3.3%, compared to just 1.1% in the first quarter. This pushed thekey liquidity ratio, the loan-to-share ratio, up to a five-yearhigh of 75.9%. Delinquencies remained near all-time lows, at 0.65%.Lending continues to be paced by mortgage loans, but auto lendingalso strengthened in the second quarter.