Newsroom

May 10, 2013 – Results from NAFCU's survey of members for the May Economic & CU Monitor show credit unions are optimistic on loan growth – including real estate, automobile and business lending – for the coming year.

Specific results from the survey are provided in the NAFCU Regional Outlook, found on page 5 of the May issue of the ECUM, which is due for release on May 15.

The NAFCU Regional Outlook was just launched this year. It is derived from a portion of the monthly ECUM survey, which also collects information on members' loan and share growth trends as well as their views on key issues of the day.

In the most recent survey, members overall reported stronger demand for real estate loans. Expectations for real estate and vehicle loan growth were strongest in the West and weakest in the Midwest. Expectations for business-loan growth were strongest in the Northeast and West and weakest in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest.

Credit unions in the survey also reported expectations for tighter spreads going forward.

That is similar to responses the Federal Reserve got in its most recent of senior bank loan officers. This week, the Fed released results from its April survey that also indicated banks are easing their loan standards, largely in response to competition in the marketplace.

The survey for the June Economic & CU Monitor begins soon; all member credit unions are encouraged to participate.