August 10-12

UCC Conference 2026 - Las Vegas, NV


August 24-27

SHIFT: Lending & Collections Conference - Irving, TX

August 24-26

VolCorp Forum26 - Nashville, TN

August 31 - September 2

CU Engage - Cincinnati, OH

Members Are Borrowing Differently In 2026

Rising costs for housing, vehicles, insurance, and everyday expenses are changing how credit union members borrow. As affordability challenges continue, many consumers are prioritizing financial flexibility over purchasing new assets.

Key trends include:

• Auto lending has slowed as higher vehicle prices, insurance costs, and financing rates make car ownership less affordable.
• Home equity lending is growing, with homeowners using HELOCs and other equity products to fund renovations, consolidate debt, and cover major expenses.
• Credit card balances continue to rise as households rely more on revolving credit to manage cash flow and rising living costs.
• Real estate lending represents a larger share of credit union portfolios, while auto loans account for a smaller percentage than in previous years.

Overall, borrowing trends are shifting toward products that help members manage expenses and maintain financial flexibility in a higher-cost environment.

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creditunions.com

Florida's Fix for Insurance Crisis Puts More Risk on Homeowners

Florida's insurance market continues to face challenges as rising storm losses, increasing claim costs, and insurer profitability concerns put pressure on both homeowners and insurance companies. In response, Florida lawmakers enacted reforms aimed at reducing litigation and strengthening the state's insurance market.

While supporters say the changes have helped improve market stability and encourage insurers to remain in Florida, others believe the reforms have made it more difficult for homeowners to dispute denied or underpaid claims. As a result, many property owners remain concerned about both the affordability of coverage and the claims process after a loss.

The issue illustrates the delicate balance between maintaining a healthy insurance market and providing homeowners with dependable, affordable coverage amid increasing weather-related risks.

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claimsjournal.com