The National Credit Union Administration just dropped its second quarter 2026 data, and there’s plenty to unpack about how credit unions across the country are holding up.
Here’s what the numbers are telling us:
The Good News
Assets are on the rise. Federally insured credit unions saw their assets climb 2.9 percent at the median over the year ending in Q2 2026. That’s steady, sustainable growth—nothing flashy, but exactly the kind of boring-in-a-good-way news you want from financial institutions.
Even better? An impressive 87 percent of federally insured credit unions posted positive year-to-date net income in the second quarter. When nearly nine out of ten institutions are in the black, that’s a pretty solid sign of overall financial health.
The Mixed Bag
Lending activity shows credit unions sitting at a median ratio of 69 percent for total loans outstanding compared to total shares and deposits. In other words, for every dollar members deposit, credit unions are lending out about 69 cents—a reasonable balance between serving members’ borrowing needs and maintaining liquidity.
The Head-Scratcher
Here’s an interesting twist: while total membership grew when you look at all credit unions combined, the median actually dipped by 0.6 percent over the year. Think of it like this—some credit unions are adding members like crazy while others are seeing folks head for the exits, creating an uneven picture across the industry.
What This Data Actually Covers
The NCUA’s Quarterly U.S. Map Review isn’t just about credit union performance metrics. It tracks federally insured credit unions across all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, and throws in two key economic indicators that affect everyone: unemployment rates and home prices. Because let’s face it, you can’t really understand credit union health without understanding the economic landscape their members are navigating.