The 282 credit unions in Alabama and Florida have seen increasesin assets, members, and the quality and quantity of loans infirst-quarter 2013, according to the League of Southeastern Credit Unions and Affiliates.

Credit unions in Alabama collectively posted assets of $18.3billion at the end of first quarter compared with assets of $17.5billion at the end of first quarter 2012. In Florida, credit unionassets totaled $47 billion compared with assets of $45.3 billion atthe first quarter's end last year.

Alabama's 123 credit unions added 15,000 new members in thefirst quarter, compared with the 20,000 new credit union members inthe first quarter of 2012. The state's membership now stands at arecord 1.85 million.

Florida's 159 credit unions added 33,000 new members, comparedwith the 48,000 new members in the 2012 first quarter. The state'stotal membership now stands at 4.62 million, according to LSCU.

Florida credit unions added $54 million in new member businessloans in 2013's first quarter compared with what the LSCU reportedas “flat growth” in new MBLs among Florida's credit unions at theend of 2012's first quarter. In Alabama, credit unions added $6million in MBLs at the end of this year's first quarter comparedwith $13 million in MBLs at the end of last year's firstquarter.

LSCU also reported the number of delinquent loans in Floridadropped below two percent (1.98%) for the first time in years. Thenumber of delinquent loans in Alabama was 1.18%, an 18 basis pointdrop from last year.

New charge-offs also have been low. In Florida, next charge-offsare at 1.12% while net charge-offs in Alabama are at .63%.

“In two years, Alabama and Florida credit unions have made morethan $200 million in business loans,” said Patrick La Pine,president/CEO of LSCU. “With delinquencies and net charge-offs low,it shows quality loans are being made.”

What's more, Florida's credit unions have added 200 newemployees in the first quarter and nearly 500 over the last twoyears, according to LSCU.

Credit unions in both states also continue to be majorcontributors to charities in their local communities. In 2012, forexample, Alabama and Florida credit unions raised more than$940,000 just for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.