2020 has been an unprecedented year for businesses and financial institutions around the globe. Nearly everyone's bottom line has been affected by the pandemic, and credit unions, like all businesses, have had to be agile and adopt new practices in order to survive.

One area that has always been crucial for the profitability of credit unions (and now even more so) is lending. Credit unions that sustain profitable and healthy lending practices have a leg up on the competition and will be around for a while, and those that don’t, will run the risk of dying a slow death and ultimately weighing out their merger options. 

Collaboration and cooperation have always played major roles in the credit union ethos. One of the best examples of that philosophy in action is participation lending, which is when credit unions band together to back a loan to a single borrower. By doing so, credit unions can share the risks and rewards. For many credit unions, mitigating risk is vital, and so is the spirit of community that can be enhanced when rewards are shared.

People are impatient. When they ask a question, they want an answer as quickly as possible. Technology has led them to expect things instantly, and that includes the decision on a loan for something they'd like to buy. They want it now! With the goal of shorter turn-around times, and capitalizing on the revenue a new loan brings, many credit unions have turned to auto-decisioning to expedite loan processing and increase efficiency. In most cases, auto-decisioning makes sense, provided there is enough tracking, measuring, and monitoring in place to ensure that it's working appropriately. Without these safeguards, financial institutions take the chance of increased risk in their loan portfolios.

Throughout life there are situations - life events - where money plays a significant role in the decision-making process, and a positive resolution is dependent on the availability of funds. In certain cases, where the resolution requires more money than what may be available, an already stressful situation can feel frustrating and overwhelming. But what if a financial institution knew their member personally, and was willing to take a look at special situations to see if they could lend a hand (or money) to assist that member? Take a chance on a member with a long standing history and make a difference to them? This is the embodiment of the Credit Union Difference.

The loan-to-share ratio can be deceiving. It’s calculated by dividing the total amount of outstanding loans by the total amount of share deposits. While this ratio serves as a good indication of a credit unions liquidity, it also shows the level of risk a credit union is willing to take on. Generally speaking, credit unions with a high loan to share ratio are taking on more risk to increase their profits. At the end of Q2 this year, the national loan-to-share ratio reached an all-time high since 2008. On December 31, 2008, it was 83.2% but continued to decline from that point on until it bottomed out in 2013. Since then, the loan-to-share ration has been climbing, and 10 years later it’s finally back up to 82.9% as of June 30, 2018. While things are looking up for the nation as a whole, the loan-to-share ratios actually differ by state, with a few standouts:

There are many ways credit unions can choose to operate their lending process, however, not all methods are created equal. A centralized lending strategy can provide a clear and concise plan for lending that eliminates problems associated with other methods. With other lending practices, there are opportunities for error, not to mention the additional cost that stems from inefficiencies and training. Centralized lending helps to diminish these issues while maximizing employee skills as well as their time. Here are six reasons why centralized lending is the best route for credit unions.

Market conditions are a contributor to the number of loan applications that you receive, but ultimately, your staff and solutions are what make a great lending partnership between members and your credit union. There are several factors within your control that can help your lending process become more efficient, effective, and successful. Here are 10 factors to consider when refining your credit union's lending process.

Roughly 12 million Americans, or 2.5 million U.S. households used at least one payday loan last year. This equates to an alarming 1 in 50 Americans, which is why the payday loan industry exceeds $50B in the US alone. Most often these loans are originated to assist with individuals looking for a short-term option to help them meet their monthly financial obligation. While the industry touts these loans as a solution to unexpected or emergency expenses, 70% of borrowers who use them are doing so for their regular recurring expenses, such as rent. Recognizing that these loans are needed, but wanting to avoid the stigma that this industry carries (commonly referred to as predatory payday lenders), with their extremely high interest rates and abysmal default rates, many credit unions have designed lending programs to compete with payday lending in an effort to meet their member's demands, while keeping the credit union motto of helping others in mind. And now, the NCUA Board is proposing to amend the NCUA’s general lending rule to provide Federal credit unions with additional options to offer Payday Alternative Loans (PALs) with PALs II.

While marijuana legalization varies tremendously state to state, all evidence points to an increasingly mainstream adoption of medical marijuana across the US, with over half of the union (30 states) legalizing its use for medicinal purposes. However, with such inconsistent attitudes and varying legalities, those people looking to cash in on the industry are struggling to find the resources and financing they need. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo thinks it's high time we take measures to help these businesses out. 

Digital lending has been available to credit unions for quite some time, but with new emerging technologies and the fast-paced nature of consumer lending, it’s more important than ever that digital lending offers members more than a paperless process. Members, especially Millennials, not only want, but expect a quick application, and even faster decisions. A recent PwC report found that three of the four demographic groups polled in their study would rather be online for each phase of the borrowing process as opposed to more tradition channels, ie. in-branch or over the phone. The best way to customize the application and decisioning process while meeting the requirements of your CU is through digital lending technology, making it more efficient for both members and staff. Here are 4 benefits of digital lending.