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Credit union loans outstanding grew 10.4 percent to $712.3 billion in 2014 – the highest yearly growth in loans since 2005, according to fourth-quarter call report data released Monday by NCUA.

The data, which cover all federally insured credit unions, shows growth in shares of 4.5 percent to $950.8 billion in 2014. The loan-to-share ratio rose four percentage points to 74.9 percent. Credit unions' return on average assets was up two basis points to 0.80 percent.

B. Dan Berger

NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger said this and more point to the continued increase in the strength of the credit union industry.

"These data show credit unions maintaining healthy growth by doing what they do better than any other providers: focusing on the financial needs of their member-owners and keeping members' interests as their top concern," said NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger.

The data show the largest areas of loan growth included new-vehicle loans, which were up 4.8 percent in the quarter and 21 percent for all of 2014. Net member business loan balances went up 12.4 percent to $51.7 billion.

Membership continued to grow, rising 3.1 percent in calendar 2014. The average net worth ratio increased four basis points from the third quarter to 10.97 percent, reaching its highest level at year end since 2007.

Delinquency ratios and net charge-offs were 0.85 percent and 0.49 percent, respectively.