The FLEX Connexion Blog

Average Credit Union Efficiency Ratio per State: How Do You Stack Up?

Written by Preston Packer | Jan 18, 2018

As we begin the new year, many of us find ourselves taking stock of our performance in 2023. What worked, what did not, areas to build upon, ideas to leave behind, and new directions to pursue. Similar to the message we hear from our Commander in Chief in these early days of January each year, it's time to construct our own State of Union assessment, a sort of 'State of the Credit Union' if you will. Just how efficient were you, what is the average credit union efficiency ratio for your state, and how do you stack up against it?

 

Calculating the Efficiency Ratio

By calculating your own efficiency ratio, you can determine just how much you spent to earn $1 of revenue. It can serve as an indicator of your success or suggest there might be some room for improvement, and generally help you monitor the relationship between your operating revenue and your overhead expenses. The efficiency ratio is calculated by taking the CU's operating expenses and dividing it by Total Interest Income (Interest Income - Interest Expenses) + Non Interest Income. This information is available publicly on the call report and can be accessed through the NCUA's website. Take a moment and see how you stack up.

 

Though there are several additional and helpful ways to assess the strength of your credit union, the Credit Union Efficiency Ratio is the key metric used to measure its overall efficiency in operation. An efficiency ratio of 70%, for example, indicates that you spend $.70 for every dollar of revenue earned... so the lower the percentage the better.This is a great goal to aim for and if you have accomplished this, you are in the top 10% of all credit union operations nationally. 

 

Average Efficiency Ratio

According to the report from Callahan & Associates, the average efficiency ratio for all credit unions in the country at the end of the third quarter 2017 was 71.54%. That’s 1.92 percentage points below the Q3 2016 average of 73.46%. The most efficient state in the country was Virginia, with a ratio of 55.4%. There is not much surprise there since the two largest credit unions in the country are based out VA, and when it comes to efficiency, economies of scale plays a crucial role. In most cases, larger institutions have lower relative costs and larger revenues.

 

How to Get a Better Efficiency Ratio

If you have just missed the mark and come in higher than the national average, consider adopting new core technology and watch your efficiency grow exponentially. As you consider investing in this new technology and incorporating more efficient credit union software, keep overhead expense in mind. There's no need to break-the-bank in trying to achieve efficiency. Remember to take into account many hidden expenses, especially when calculating the Cost of Technology per Member (total cost of your credit union's technology divided by your member base.) Consider not only the initial outlay for the investment, but also re-occurring charges and the potential cost of third-party integration. 

 

With the right technology in place, you can see your day-to-day operations streamlined, data managed securely, and be able integrate cutting-edge fintech smoothly, all while still providing impeccable service to your members.

 

We invite you to learn more about your credit union's individual Efficiency Ratio and how technology can help you achieve the highest Efficiency Ratio possible. Comment below or reach out to us and we will reply privately via email with your CU's Efficiency Ratio.

 

State

Efficiency Ratio

Average Assets

Alabama

75.96%

$194,382,773

Alaska

77.70%

$832,214,185

Arizona

76.27%

$405,371,590

Arkansas

79.27%

$50,900,839

California

72.65%

$595,549,880

Colorado

70.93%

$306,517,792

Connecticut

81.29%

$102,897,356

Delaware

81.97%

$124,659,794

Florida

73.72%

$459,602,683

Georgia

73.63%

$208,638,382

Hawaii

78.35%

$187,385,276

Idaho

70.93%

$270,510,690

Illinois

72.05%

$164,458,247

Indiana

77.33%

$173,947,996

Iowa

67.93%

$182,112,386

Kansas

77.44%

$116,058,869

Kentucky

70.23%

$132,558,891

Louisiana

81.59%

$59,566,358

Maine

80.15%

$131,596,129

Maryland

76.72%

$281,119,386

Massachusetts

75.33%

$225,231,554

Michigan

72.82%

$251,307,690

Minnesota

75.40%

$194,585,601

Mississippi

72.56%

$75,226,354

Missouri

78.63%

$97,351,549

Montana

78.66%

$96,944,104

Nebraska

80.17%

$72,392,175

Nevada

75.97%

$288,317,136

New Hampshire

78.11%

$526,453,665

New Jersey

83.33%

$81,561,818

New Mexico

70.28%

$258,062,132

New York

73.47%

$225,204,640

North Carolina

70.99%

$742,191,880

North Dakota

76.12%

$100,893,056

Ohio

76.24%

$109,166,417

Oklahoma

71.71%

$227,897,025

Oregon

72.97%

$379,989,961

Pennsylvania

73.89%

$116,738,321

Rhode Island

73.96%

$304,190,327

South Carolina

76.10%

$213,589,016

South Dakota

81.55%

$80,501,533

Tennessee

71.44%

$159,394,420

Texas

74.73%

$213,990,526

Utah

68.77%

$382,354,032

Vermont

80.71%

$218,283,559

Virginia

55.40%

$1,048,288,282

Washington

70.49%

$570,449,092

West Virginia

81.26%

$40,527,708

Wisconsin

71.07%

$261,920,775

Wyoming

76.41%

$107,803,364