The Kansas Credit Union Association reports that annual growthfigures among the state's 98 credit union in assets, shares,capital and loans were strong and above national averages duringthe first quarter of the year.

The KCUA recently released a first quarter state analysis reportcompiled by Callahan & Associates that showed the averagemember relationship – the total dollar amount of loans, balancesand deposits per member – increased from $11,831 at the endof March 2012 to $12,428 at the end of March 2013.

What's more, 5,339 new members joined Kansas credit unions fromMarch 2012 to March 2013.

Product penetration metrics, which help credit unions measurehow many members are using each product, are increasing at Kansascredit unions, the league said. For example, over the past year,share draft penetration increased two percentage points to 36.4% inthe state's credit unions.

While the state penetration rate remains lower than the nationalrate of 51.8%, Kansas has seen share draft penetration rise muchfaster than the rest of the nation, according to the report.

Auto loan penetration jumped 92 basis points to 27.6% and creditcard penetration increased 53 basis points to 9.2% from March 2012to March 2013, the KCUA said.

The report also showed during the first three months of 2013,loan originations at Kansas credit unions increased by 2.9% fromMarch 2012 to March 2013 to top $449 million. Nationally, creditunions posted a 14.1% increase in loan originations during thefirst quarter of 2013.

Kansas credit unions saw share balances increasing at a rate of6%, faster than the national average of 5.1% with only sharecertificates decreasing by 2.6%.

The report also noted net interest margin was 3.17% among Kansascredit unions in March, above the national average of 2.77% Capitallevels remain high at the state's cooperatives at 11.3% of assets,which is higher than credit unions and banks nationwide, accordingto the report.