Stagnant Membership Growth Must BeAddressed, Matz Says

HONOLULU - (10/27/04)—Membership growth – or thelack thereof – has a number of credit union leadersconcerned, not the least of whom is NCUA Board Member Debbie Matzwho told CUNA Future Forum attendees that the lull in membershipgrowth is a disturbing trend that must be addressed. “Assetgrowth is far outpacing membership growth, which has beenrelatively flat at about 2%,” Matz observed. “Thatmeans your existing members are zresponsible for most of your assetgrowth. But as industries continue to downsize and as your agingmembers die, you cannot just rely on your existing members.”Matz isn’t the only one expressing this concern. CUNA CEO DanMica told The Credit Union Journal that membership growth is one ofthe top issues credit union representatives talk to him about whenvoicing their concerns.