CUNA Mutual Group's Credit Union Trends Report for May 2015 is now available online and can be accessed in the CU Products & Services section of our website, under the heading Research & Information. During March, the economy added 85,000 jobs, the unemployment rate remained at 5.5%, personal income stagnated with zero growth, consumer prices climbed 0.2%, consumer confidence rose, new home sales fell 11.4%, existing home sales rose 6.1%, home prices rose 2%, and the 10-year Treasury interest rate increased 6 basis points to average 2.04%.

Additional highlights of this month's report include:

• During March, credit unions picked up 496,000 new memberships, credit union loan balances grew at an annualized 11% pace, bonuses and tax refunds boosted deposit balances 0.4%, firms hired 85,000 workers, the existing home market picked up steam, long-term interest rates rose, and the Federal Reserve did not waver from their belief that economic growth will accelerate.
• At the end of February, CUNA's monthly estimates reported 6,424 CUs in operation, down 13 CUs from one month earlier. Year-to-date the number of credit unions declined by 89, greater than the 60 lost in the first three months of 2014.
• Credit union savings balances rose over the one trillion dollar mark in March, the first time in credit union history. March is historically the second strongest month for savings growth due to tax refunds and bonuses. Expect savings balances to fall below one trillion dollars in April as members pay their tax bills.
• The nation's CUs increased their loan portfolios 0.6% in March, slightly less than the 0.65% pace reported in March 2014. During the last 12 months, credit union loan portfolios increased 10.6%, the fastest pace since December 2005, which illustrates the roughly decade long credit cycle.
• Credit union memberships rose a robust 496,000 in March, or 0.5% month-over-month, up from 380,000 reported in March 2014, or 0.4%, to reach 102.8 million. The underlying annualized membership growth rate is now 4.0%, the highest since March 1997.
• Credit union loan delinquency rates fell to 0.74% in March, down from 0.81% one year earlier. This is the lowest delinquency rate since August 2007, the date economists use to mark the beginning of the mortgage crisis.

For more information, view the complete report here . If you have problems accessing the information or have additional questions about the research and information services provided by the Louisiana Credit Union League, please contact Danielle Thibodeaux at (800) 452-7221, ext. 3018 or [email protected].  

Catalyst Corporate Federal Credit Union and Catalyst Strategic Solutions have just launched completely redesigned websites.  The new sites include expanded content and enhanced navigation to help credit unions find the information they need quickly.

Click here to view full article.  

Xplore FCU is committed to going above and beyond to satisfy their members' needs and reward them for their patronage. By partnering with Pullman Rail Journeys, Xplore was able to offer a truly unique opportunity for one lucky member to enjoy a luxurious journey from New Orleans to Chicago on Pullman's cars, embodying the style and elegance of yesteryear's railway travel with the modern conveniences of today.

In order to enter the sweepstakes, members needed to complete an Explore Your Score ?, close a loan or make a VISA transfer, or refer a company for a Lunch and Learn during the first quarter of 2015. The response was overwhelming. Within three months, over 600 members entered the sweepstakes. "This campaign was designed to reward members for allowing us to help better their financial state. It's the cooperative spirit at its best," said Bobbi Bush, VP of Operations.

Xplore Member Matthew Morgan was randomly selected for the trip. Now the challenge is for Matthew to find which week works best for him and his wife to enjoy their trip!

Greater New Orleans FCU (GNO FCU) has selected Lauren Dartez as the recipient of their 5th Annual $1,000 Enola M. Fee Scholarship Award. The program was designed to promote the credit union philosophy and foster volunteerism in high school seniors.

"We are so pleased to present this year's scholarship award to Lauren," said Janet L. Sanders, President/CEO of GNO FCU. "Her essay best illustrated her commitment to community service and pledge to serve the community in college and beyond. We are proud of all our participants who uphold the values of volunteerism and who are committed to our central principle of 'People Helping People'."

Lauren graduates from St. Joseph's Academy (Prairieville, LA) in May 2015 with a 4.57 grade point average. She will attend Tulane University (NOLA) in the fall and plans to double major in Neuroscience and Public Health. Her goals are to be a doctor on Mercy Ships sailing around the world providing medical aid to developing nations while incorporating her Public Health background to improve global health standards.

Selection criteria included academic performance and essay presentation on the topic, "How Do You Hope to Deliver the Philosophy- not for profit, not for charity, but for service - Throughout your Life's Journey and What this Philosophy Means to

You".

 ASI Federal Credit Union (ASI) is pleased to announce that it has been selected as one of the 2015 Top Workplaces by The Times Picayune. The Top Workplaces program was established to recognize companies that have a great workplace and recipients of the award are determined based solely on employee feedback. The employee survey is conducted by WorkplaceDynamics, LLP, a leading research firm on organizational health and employee engagement. WorkplaceDynamics conducts regional Top Workplaces programs with 45 major publishing partners across the United States, including The Times Picayune and nola.com. 

"ASI has for some years maintained a big vision - to eliminate poverty in the communities we serve - by serving moderate to low income individuals, families and businesses with our varied loan products, financial education and other services. In doing this important work, we help our members have better lives, resulting in stronger local communities, and our employees appreciate the fact that they are part of an organization that is really making a difference in the lives of so many people every day," explained Mignhon Tourne', ASI FCU President & CEO. "Receiving recognition as a Top Workplace validates the work that ASI's leadership has done over the years to foster a positive work environment and a culture that encourages teamwork and trust. Our employees really are top notch and full of compassion and I am humbled to work with such a great group of individuals. I want to thank each member of our ASI/ASII team for this award and for their commitment to our organization and members."