Interest rate hike impacts credit unions
WASHINGTON, DC (December 14, 2016) — Following the Federal Reserve raising the federal funds rate by a quarter of a percentage point, moving from 0.25-0.50 percent to a range of 0.50 and 0.75 percent, Perc Pineda, senior economist for the Credit Union National Association, issued a statement about how the rate change will affect credit unions:
“A 25-basis point hike in the Federal Funds rate today will affect credit unions in the medium-term. Deposit rates will be re-priced eventually, though not immediately. Credit unions savings rates have stayed well above the rates offered by the banks. Data from Informa Research Services show that the average savings rate at credit unions is 14 basis points higher than average savings rates at banks. Credit unions’ third quarter savings growth was 8.6%– higher than the banks’ 6.7% savings growth rate–suggesting that credit unions’ capital inflow continued strong despite a low interest rate environment.
“After the 25-basis point hike last year, savings rates at credit unions remained practically unchanged. However, rates of other deposit products such as certificates and money market rose, but not right away. The difference this time is, although the rate hike is moderate, recent economic data are positive, along with signs of higher borrowing cost ahead. We had strong third-quarter GDP growth; an unemployment rate of 4.6% is now below what the FOMC considers longer-run full employment rate, and inflation is on the horizon. The 10-year Treasury yield is moving back to its prior levels. This means that mortgage rates will rise—it is already 50 basis point higher in November than October. Credit unions are not-for-profit service maximizing institutions. Hence, it maintains a reasonable net interest margin to serve the financial needs of its tax-paying-working class members. If the upward pressure on loan rates strengthens in the near-term, credit unions would need to reprice their deposit products much sooner to compensate members the real rate of return on investment.
“If economic expansions picks up pace and the Fed raises rate aggressively next year, then credit unions would adjust rates accordingly.”
About CUNA
Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions, which are owned by 135 million consumer members. CUNA, along with its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, delivers unwavering advocacy, continuous professional growth and operational confidence to protect the best interests of all credit unions. For more information about CUNA, visit cuna.org. To find your nearest credit union, visit YourMoneyFurther.com.
