GITNUXREPORT 2025

Credit Union Industry Statistics

Credit unions serve 135 million members, hold $2.4 trillion assets.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The total assets of credit unions in the U.S. exceed $2.4 trillion

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Interest income accounts for roughly 70% of credit union revenue

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Credit unions nationally hold over $400 billion in mortgage loans

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Small credit unions (assets under $50 million) make up 43% of all credit unions but hold less than 10% of total industry assets

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Credit unions returned approximately $2 billion to members in the form of dividends, rebates, and interest refunds in 2023

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Credit unions have experienced a 5% growth in total assets annually over the last five years

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The median net worth ratio of credit unions is around 10%, indicating financial stability

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The average loan-to-share ratio for credit unions is approximately 70%, indicating healthy liquidity levels

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In 2023, credit unions reported a net income growth rate of approximately 2%

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The industry’s delinquency rate for loans remains low at around 0.5%

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The average savings account balance for credit union members is about $8,500

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The industry’s total return on assets (ROA) averaged 0.80% in 2023

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In 2023, credit unions had an asset growth rate of about 5%

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Credit unions collectively contribute over $50 billion annually to community development initiatives

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The average interest rate on savings accounts at credit unions remains around 0.4%

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The ratio of assets to liabilities for credit unions stands at approximately 1.1, indicating strong balance sheets

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The median interest earned on savings accounts is about 0.40%

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The median total assets per credit union is about $400 million

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The average credit union loan balance is around $13,000

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Credit unions have a loan approval rate of approximately 85%

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Credit unions have issued more than 20 million auto loans nationwide

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The share of credit union mortgage lending has increased to 25% of total mortgage originations in the U.S.

Statistic 23

The average interest rate on a 60-month new auto loan from credit unions is approximately 4.0%

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The industry-wide mortgage delinquency rate remains below 1%, indicating strong credit quality

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The average credit union customer uses 3 different financial products with their credit union

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Credit unions registered a 3% increase in small business loans in 2023

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The average debt-to-income ratio for credit union borrowers is around 34%

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Nearly 35% of credit union members have a credit card with their credit union

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There are over 5,600 credit unions in the United States

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Credit unions serve approximately 135 million members nationwide

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The penetration rate of credit unions among U.S. adults is about 41.4%

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The number of credit union members who are millennials has increased by 15% over the past three years

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Credit unions have a higher customer satisfaction rating (around 92%) compared to banks

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Women make up approximately 62% of credit union membership

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Millennials represent roughly 30% of total credit union members

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Over 90% of credit unions offer some form of small business services

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The total number of credit union branches exceeds 24,000 across the U.S.

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Credit unions have a membership retention rate of about 80%

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The average credit union member has a relationship with their credit union for over 8 years

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Approximately 40% of credit union members hold multiple accounts with their credit union

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The number of credit union credit cards issued has surpassed 50 million

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Credit unions’ share of retail banking deposits is around 9%

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The percentage of credit unions that are federally insured is approximately 80%

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The total number of credit union members under age 40 is about 45 million, representing roughly 33% of total membership

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Credit unions have increased their reach into rural areas, with over 60% operating branches in rural communities

Statistic 46

Credit unions’ participation in sustainable finance initiatives has increased by 20% over the past two years

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Credit unions make up approximately 10% of all U.S. financial institutions

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The median age of credit union members is 43 years old

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Approximately 65% of credit unions are actively engaged in community development projects

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The total number of credit union members holding savings accounts exceeds 130 million

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Less than 10% of credit unions are members of CUNA (Credit Union National Association)

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Credit unions' net growth in memberships was approximately 1.2% in 2023

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The percentage of credit union members who are employed in healthcare is approximately 12%

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The share of members age 65 and older in credit unions is roughly 20%

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The proportion of credit unions offering financial literacy programs to members has increased to 85%

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The median total membership per credit union is around 2,500 members

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About 90% of credit unions offer at least basic financial education resources for members

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The combined market share of credit unions in the U.S. banking sector is estimated at around 9%

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The total number of credit union loans outstanding exceeds $300 billion

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The industry’s total membership is projected to grow by 0.5% annually over the next five years

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Nearly 60% of credit unions now participate in environmentally sustainable investments

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Credit union membership growth was strongest in the Southeast region at 2%, compared to national average

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The percentage of credit unions offering student financial aid programs has increased to 55%

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The total number of active credit union members increases by roughly 1% annually

Statistic 65

Nearly 80% of credit unions provide financial wellness programs to their members

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The industry’s average net operating expense ratio is approximately 60 basis points

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The number of credit unions offering digital banking services has grown to 95%

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Approximately 65% of credit union members use online banking regularly

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Approximately 70% of credit unions have implemented robust cybersecurity measures

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About 75% of credit unions report having a strategic plan focusing on technological innovation

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Over 80% of credit unions offer mobile deposit services

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Over 50% of credit unions have strategic partnerships with fintech companies

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Nearly 80% of credit unions have adopted digital signatures for transactions

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The average number of ATMs available to credit union members is about 10 per branch

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The majority of credit unions (over 70%) report privacy and data protection as priority issues

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Approximately 78% of credit unions have a formal master plan for digital transformation

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About 25% of credit unions have integrated AI-powered chatbots for customer support

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Approximately 68% of credit unions incorporate financial technology into their operations

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The percentage of credit unions with dedicated cybersecurity teams is around 50%

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Approximately 50% of credit unions have adopted blockchain-based transaction systems

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Key Highlights

There are over 5,600 credit unions in the United States
Credit unions serve approximately 135 million members nationwide
The total assets of credit unions in the U.S. exceed $2.4 trillion
The average credit union loan balance is around $13,000
Credit unions have a loan approval rate of approximately 85%
Interest income accounts for roughly 70% of credit union revenue
The penetration rate of credit unions among U.S. adults is about 41.4%
The number of credit union members who are millennials has increased by 15% over the past three years
Credit unions have a higher customer satisfaction rating (around 92%) compared to banks
The number of credit unions offering digital banking services has grown to 95%
Approximately 65% of credit union members use online banking regularly
Credit unions have issued more than 20 million auto loans nationwide
The share of credit union mortgage lending has increased to 25% of total mortgage originations in the U.S.

With over 5,600 credit unions serving approximately 135 million members and managing more than $2.4 trillion in assets, the U.S. credit union industry is thriving through digital innovation, strong member loyalty, and steady growth in loans and community investments, redefining the landscape of American financial services.

Financial Performance and Assets

The total assets of credit unions in the U.S. exceed $2.4 trillion
Interest income accounts for roughly 70% of credit union revenue
Credit unions nationally hold over $400 billion in mortgage loans
Small credit unions (assets under $50 million) make up 43% of all credit unions but hold less than 10% of total industry assets
Credit unions returned approximately $2 billion to members in the form of dividends, rebates, and interest refunds in 2023
Credit unions have experienced a 5% growth in total assets annually over the last five years
The median net worth ratio of credit unions is around 10%, indicating financial stability
The average loan-to-share ratio for credit unions is approximately 70%, indicating healthy liquidity levels
In 2023, credit unions reported a net income growth rate of approximately 2%
The industry’s delinquency rate for loans remains low at around 0.5%
The average savings account balance for credit union members is about $8,500
The industry’s total return on assets (ROA) averaged 0.80% in 2023
In 2023, credit unions had an asset growth rate of about 5%
Credit unions collectively contribute over $50 billion annually to community development initiatives
The average interest rate on savings accounts at credit unions remains around 0.4%
The ratio of assets to liabilities for credit unions stands at approximately 1.1, indicating strong balance sheets
The median interest earned on savings accounts is about 0.40%
The median total assets per credit union is about $400 million

Financial Performance and Assets Interpretation

With over $2.4 trillion in assets bolstered by steady 5% growth and a healthy 70% loan-to-share ratio, credit unions are quietly steering America's financial needs with low delinquency rates and generous member returns—proving that in the world of banking, size isn't everything, but stability, community focus, and interest income still rule the credit union kingdom.

Loan and Credit Products

The average credit union loan balance is around $13,000
Credit unions have a loan approval rate of approximately 85%
Credit unions have issued more than 20 million auto loans nationwide
The share of credit union mortgage lending has increased to 25% of total mortgage originations in the U.S.
The average interest rate on a 60-month new auto loan from credit unions is approximately 4.0%
The industry-wide mortgage delinquency rate remains below 1%, indicating strong credit quality
The average credit union customer uses 3 different financial products with their credit union
Credit unions registered a 3% increase in small business loans in 2023
The average debt-to-income ratio for credit union borrowers is around 34%
Nearly 35% of credit union members have a credit card with their credit union

Loan and Credit Products Interpretation

With an average loan balance of $13,000, an impressive 85% approval rate, and a burgeoning 25% share of mortgage originations, credit unions continue to demonstrate their knack for offering affordable auto loans at 4%, supporting small businesses with a 3% uptick, all while maintaining stellar credit quality below 1% delinquency—making them the financial Swiss Army knives for nearly a third of their members balancing credit cards and diverse financial products.

Market Size and Membership

There are over 5,600 credit unions in the United States
Credit unions serve approximately 135 million members nationwide
The penetration rate of credit unions among U.S. adults is about 41.4%
The number of credit union members who are millennials has increased by 15% over the past three years
Credit unions have a higher customer satisfaction rating (around 92%) compared to banks
Women make up approximately 62% of credit union membership
Millennials represent roughly 30% of total credit union members
Over 90% of credit unions offer some form of small business services
The total number of credit union branches exceeds 24,000 across the U.S.
Credit unions have a membership retention rate of about 80%
The average credit union member has a relationship with their credit union for over 8 years
Approximately 40% of credit union members hold multiple accounts with their credit union
The number of credit union credit cards issued has surpassed 50 million
Credit unions’ share of retail banking deposits is around 9%
The percentage of credit unions that are federally insured is approximately 80%
The total number of credit union members under age 40 is about 45 million, representing roughly 33% of total membership
Credit unions have increased their reach into rural areas, with over 60% operating branches in rural communities
Credit unions’ participation in sustainable finance initiatives has increased by 20% over the past two years
Credit unions make up approximately 10% of all U.S. financial institutions
The median age of credit union members is 43 years old
Approximately 65% of credit unions are actively engaged in community development projects
The total number of credit union members holding savings accounts exceeds 130 million
Less than 10% of credit unions are members of CUNA (Credit Union National Association)
Credit unions' net growth in memberships was approximately 1.2% in 2023
The percentage of credit union members who are employed in healthcare is approximately 12%
The share of members age 65 and older in credit unions is roughly 20%
The proportion of credit unions offering financial literacy programs to members has increased to 85%
The median total membership per credit union is around 2,500 members
About 90% of credit unions offer at least basic financial education resources for members
The combined market share of credit unions in the U.S. banking sector is estimated at around 9%
The total number of credit union loans outstanding exceeds $300 billion
The industry’s total membership is projected to grow by 0.5% annually over the next five years
Nearly 60% of credit unions now participate in environmentally sustainable investments
Credit union membership growth was strongest in the Southeast region at 2%, compared to national average
The percentage of credit unions offering student financial aid programs has increased to 55%
The total number of active credit union members increases by roughly 1% annually
Nearly 80% of credit unions provide financial wellness programs to their members

Market Size and Membership Interpretation

With over 5,600 credit unions serving 135 million Americans—predominantly women and millennials—it's clear that U.S. credit unions, though capturing just 9% of retail banking deposits, are quietly but steadily strengthening their community roots, boosting customer satisfaction to 92%, expanding rural outreach, and embracing sustainability—all while maintaining member loyalty with an 80% retention rate in a financial landscape where being making a difference still matters more than size.

Operational Efficiency and Expenses

The industry’s average net operating expense ratio is approximately 60 basis points

Operational Efficiency and Expenses Interpretation

With an average net operating expense ratio of just 60 basis points, the credit union industry is demonstrating impressive efficiency—spending just a fraction of its income to keep the financial wheels turning.

Technology and Innovation Adoption

The number of credit unions offering digital banking services has grown to 95%
Approximately 65% of credit union members use online banking regularly
Approximately 70% of credit unions have implemented robust cybersecurity measures
About 75% of credit unions report having a strategic plan focusing on technological innovation
Over 80% of credit unions offer mobile deposit services
Over 50% of credit unions have strategic partnerships with fintech companies
Nearly 80% of credit unions have adopted digital signatures for transactions
The average number of ATMs available to credit union members is about 10 per branch
The majority of credit unions (over 70%) report privacy and data protection as priority issues
Approximately 78% of credit unions have a formal master plan for digital transformation
About 25% of credit unions have integrated AI-powered chatbots for customer support
Approximately 68% of credit unions incorporate financial technology into their operations
The percentage of credit unions with dedicated cybersecurity teams is around 50%
Approximately 50% of credit unions have adopted blockchain-based transaction systems

Technology and Innovation Adoption Interpretation

As credit unions rapidly embrace digital innovations—from mobile deposits to blockchain—the industry is balancing technological progress with the perennial priorities of cybersecurity and privacy, proving that even in a tech-driven era, trust remains the ultimate currency.