TruStage’s Q1 2026 Credit Union Trends Report

Credit unions started 2026 with momentum, according to the latest Credit Union Trends Report. Membership has reached an all-time high, loan growth is improving, household debt burdens have eased, and the system's overall financial position remains strong.

The quarterly report from Steven Rick at TruStage™ provides a timely pulse check on the economy and credit union marketplace, using recent data to help leaders prepare for what may come next.

Key takeaways for Q1 2026:

• The Economy and Inflation: The economy is expected to grow a bit slower than usual this year. At the same time, inflation will likely stay above the Federal Reserve's target goal.
• Loan Growth: Credit union loan balances are expected to rise by 5.5% in 2026. This is better than the 4.6% growth we saw in 2025, though it is still below the long-term average of 7%.
• Household Debt: Household debt-to-income ratios have dropped back to levels not seen since the 1990s. This means debt levels are lower than they were during the major housing and debt boom of 2002 to 2007.
• Car Sales: New vehicle sales jumped 3.7% in March compared to February. However, car sales were still down 8.7% compared to the same time last year.
• Personal Savings: People are saving a bit less right now. The personal savings rate averaged 4.7% in 2025, which sits just below the long-term average of 5%.
• Financial Strength: The credit union movement's total equity-to-asset ratio finished 2025 strong at 10.4%, up from 9.7% at the end of 2024.
• Membership Boom: More people are choosing credit unions. Total membership rose 1.6% over the past year, reaching more than 145.9 million members nationwide.