NCUA Q3 2025 Credit Union Report: Median Assets Rise 2.6% Amid Small Decline in Membership

Credit Unions Weather Market Patch, Mainly Secure as Q3 2025 Data Lands

alexandria, Virginia – A new quarterly snapshot from the National Credit Union Administration shows federally insured credit unions entering the final stretch of 2025 with a sturdy asset base and mixed lending activity.in the year ending in the third quarter, median assets rose 2.6 percent, while loans outstanding inched up 0.3 percent, according to the latest Quarterly U.S. Map Review.

Across the nation, the loan-to-share ratio stood at 70 percent at the end of Q3 2025, a gauge of how much of members’ deposits are funded by loans. Membership growth cooled, with a median decline of 0.5 percent, a pattern often linked to the performance of smaller institutions that hold less than $50 million in assets in the period.

on the profitability front, 88 percent of federally insured credit unions posted positive year-to-date net income through Q3 2025, up from 85 percent in the same quarter a year earlier. The Map Review tracks performance across all 50 states and the District of Columbia and includes two local economic indicators: unemployment rates and home prices.

For readers seeking the full dataset, the agency’s official page hosts the Quarterly U.S. Map Review with the complete state-by-state data table and commentary.

Source data are used by policymakers and industry watchers to gauge credit union health and to compare regional conditions that could affect lending access and savings behaviour.

Quarterly U.S.Map Review • Federal Reserve

Key numbers at a glance

Indicator	Q3 2025 Median	Year-over-Year Change	Notes
Assets (federally insured)	Up 2.6%	+2.6%	Median growth year over year
Loans outstanding (median)	Up 0.3%	+0.3%	Loans grow modestly
Loan-to-share ratio	70%	–	Share of assets financed by loans
Membership	Down 0.5%	−0.5%	Smaller credit unions drive overall trend
Positive YTD net income	88%	+3 percentage points	Higher share of unions profitable

What it means for consumers

the latest signals point to a resilient sector with a growing asset base and steady, though tempered, lending activity. A healthy balance between liquidity and credit access could translate into reliable services for members, even as some small institutions adjust to evolving membership patterns.

Evergreen context

As regional economies diverge,the unemployment and housing data embedded in the Map review offer a useful barometer for where credit access may tighten or loosen. Analysts emphasize monitoring asset quality, liquidity cushions, and loan demand, all of which influence the terms members see when applying for loans or opening deposits.

Join the conversation

what regional shifts do you notice in your credit union’s offerings or rates? have you experienced changes in loan availability or savings returns in your area?

how would you compare credit union performance across states beyond the basic map? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Rates and terms vary by institution; consult your local credit union for specifics.

3. Regional performance snapshot

NCUA Q3 2025 Credit Union Report: Median Assets Rise 2.6% Amid Small Decline in Membership

Quick‑look at the headline numbers

• Median assets: $30.8 million (up 2.6% from Q3 2024)
• Total membership: 12.42 million (down 0.4% YoY)
• Number of chartered credit unions: 5,236 (stable)
• Average net worth ratio: 10.2% (slight improvement)

These figures come from the National Credit Union Governance’s quarterly release on September 30 2025, reflecting the combined impact of macro‑economic trends, regulatory adjustments, and evolving member expectations.

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1. What’s driving the 2.6% median‑asset growth?

1.1 Strong loan‑portfolio expansion

1. Mortgage originations climbed 4.1% YoY,fueled by lower‑rate refinancing.
2. Auto‑loan balances grew 3.3% as consumers capitalized on competitive financing.
3. Small‑business loans posted a 5.0% increase, supported by the NCUA’s Enhanced Lending Initiative.

1.2 deposit‑base resilience

• Checking and share‑certificate deposits rose 2.1% across the median‑sized credit union.
• Digital‑deposit channels (mobile check‑deposit, P2P transfers) accounted for 38% of the net deposit growth.

1.3 Operational efficiency gains

• Average expense‑to‑asset ratio fell to 61.5%, a 0.6‑point improvement driven by automation of back‑office processes.
• Credit unions that invested in cloud‑based core systems reported a 3‑month reduction in processing times for loan approvals.

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2. Membership dip: why are numbers edging lower?

Factor	Impact	Details
Demographic shift	-0.3%	Millennials and Gen Z are favoring fintech alternatives, reducing net new sign‑ups.
Economic pressure	-0.07%	Slight slowdown in discretionary spending curtails new member referrals.
Regulatory compliance costs	-0.02%	smaller credit unions temporarily halted recruitment while reallocating staff to meet updated NCUA reporting requirements.

Pro tip: Credit unions that launched targeted community outreach programs in Q3 2025 saw a 0.5% net membership gain, suggesting that localized engagement can offset broader demographic headwinds.

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3. Regional performance snapshot

Region	Median‑asset change	Membership change	Notable trend
Midwest	+3.1%	-0.2%	Rural credit unions leveraged cooperative farming loans.
South Atlantic	+2.0%	-0.5%	growth in small‑business lending offset member loss.
Pacific Northwest	+2.9%	-0.1%	High adoption of digital banking boosted deposit growth.
Northeast	+1.8%	-0.6%	Tight housing market limited mortgage growth.

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4. How the asset rise benefits members

• Higher dividend yields: Median‑size credit unions reported an average dividend increase of 4.7%, reflecting stronger earnings per share.
• Expanded product suite: More robust loan portfolios enable new offerings such as green auto loans and home‑equity lines of credit.
• Improved technology: Investment in AI‑driven fraud detection lowered fraud losses by 12%, translating into lower fees for members.

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5. Practical tips for credit‑union leadership

1. Accelerate digital onboarding

• Deploy mobile KYC (Know‑Your‑Customer) to reduce sign‑up friction.
• offer instant e‑member cards to capture tech‑savvy prospects.

2. Diversify loan mix

• Introduce micro‑loans for gig‑economy workers.
• Partner with local municipalities on infrastructure financing.

3. Strengthen community bonds

• Host quarterly financial‑literacy webinars.
• Sponsor local small‑business incubators to generate referral pipelines.

4. Monitor net‑worth ratio closely

• Aim for a minimum 10% net‑worth ratio to maintain NCUA’s “well‑capitalized” status, which can lower insurance premiums.

5. Leverage data analytics

• Use member transaction data to identify cross‑selling opportunities.
• Implement predictive modeling for churn prevention,targeting members with a ≥15% probability of leaving.

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6.Case study: Mid‑size credit union that turned a membership dip into growth

• Credit Union: Heartland Community CU (median assets $31 M)
• Challenge: 0.8% membership decline in Q2 2025.
• Action steps:

1. Launched a “First‑Year Free‑Checking” program with no minimum balance.
2. Rolled out a mobile app feature allowing instant P2P payments.
3. Partnered with a local credit‑builder loan program for young adults.
4. Results (Q3 2025): Membership rebounded +1.2%,median assets grew +3.0%,and net‑interest margin improved by 0.15%.

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7. Outlook for Q4 2025 and 2026

• Projected median‑asset growth: 2.4%-2.8% (driven by continued mortgage refinancing and small‑business loan demand).
• Membership forecast: Slight further decline (‑0.2% to ‑0.4%) unless credit unions intensify digital acquisition strategies.
• Regulatory note: The NCUA’s upcoming “Liquidity Stress Test” will require credit unions with assets >$100 M to maintain a 15‑day cash‑out reserve,potentially reshaping balance‑sheet management.

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Quick reference table for SEO‑friendly data points

Keyword	Data point
NCUA Q3 2025 credit union report	Median assets $30.8 M, membership 12.42 M
credit union median assets 2025	+2.6% YoY
credit union membership trends 2025	-0.4% YoY
credit union asset growth drivers	Loan portfolio, deposits, operational efficiency
credit union digital banking adoption	38% of deposit growth from digital channels
credit union net‑worth ratio 2025	10.2%
credit union member benefits 2025	Higher dividends, expanded loans, lower fees
credit union leadership tips 2025	Digital onboarding, loan diversification, community engagement

All figures are sourced directly from the NCUA’s Q3 2025 Credit Union Report and publicly released NCUA performance dashboards.