All but three states reported improvements in lending during thethird quarter of 2012, according to a state-by-state analysisreleased Monday by the NCUA.

Loan growth was particularly strong in New York, Iowa,Tennessee, North Dakota and New Hampshire. Only Nevada, Montana and New Jersey experienced declines in lendingduring the dog days of summer.

• SEE Credit Union Times' map and state-by-stateanalysis

Overall, federally insured credit unions saw outstanding loanbalances increase by 4.3% during the 12 months preceding September2012, reflecting a continuing economic recovery and growingconsumer confidence, the NCUA said.

“Consumer credit drives the economy, and credit unions provideconsumers with access to the credit needed to buy homes, purchasecars, and pay for groceries at the store,” said NCUA Board ChairmanDebbie Matz.

“Credit unions kept credit available during the recession. Thatcommitment to members and to local economies is now, literally,paying off in the form of growing loan balances,” Matz said.“What's more, these loans are a prudent investment for creditunions. Delinquency rates have stayed low, and charge-offs havedeclined in most states.”

The NCUA Quarterly U.S. Map Review examines keyfinancial indicators on a state-by-state basis for federallyinsured credit unions. The full report, which includes updatedstate employment rates and state home price indices tables, isavailable on the NCUA's website.

NCUA's Office of the Chief Economist prepares and issues thequarterly review, which included these results:

• Return on average assets of 86 basis points was unchanged fromthe second quarter and up 20 basis points from 3rd quarter2011.
• Membership growth increased to 93.9 million members, marking a2.7% increase over the past 12 months.
• Despite a 4.3% increase in outstanding loan balances, share anddeposit growth outpaced lending, up 6.2% nationally during the past12 months.
• Assets increased 6.5% during the past 12 months.