The $496 million Clark County Credit Union in Las Vegas said ithas returned to pre-recession profit levels, a strong indicatorthat the economy of Southern Nevada, hit hard by the Great Recession, is finally stabilizing andshowing signs of growth.

Clark County CU said it is continuing to see profitablequarterly reports with a second quarter posting of more than $2.3million in net income.

“We feel really good about where we are positioned right now,”says WayneTew, CCCU's president/CEO. “For the first half of this year,we're seeing financial numbers not seen since 2007. Delinquency isdown and loan growth is up for the first time in six years. Weanticipate steady, positive circumstances for the next few years,at least.”

The 2013 Midyear Economic Outlook by UNLV's Center for Business& Economic Research recently revealed that Southern Nevada's2.7% job growth last year was driven by improvements in tourism,gaming, construction and real estate, according to a report in theLas Vegas Review Journal, a local news site.

The number of Las Vegas visitors last year reached 42.7 million,which is expected to jump to 43.1 million this year, the ReviewJournal reported. Gross gaming revenue is expected toincrease to $9.7 billion in 2013, up from $9.3 billion lastyear.

What's more, Las Vegas home prices have significantly increasedby 21% since hitting the bottom in January 2012, according toUNLV's Center for Business & Economic Research.

CCCU reported it is growing across the board with an increase inthe year-to-date asset ratio nearly 8.5%, a year-to-date loangrowth ratio of 5.6%, and the loan-to-shares ratio rising over61%.

“I've spoken with other financial institutions in the valley,”said Tew. “We are definitely seeing the economy stabilize on ourend. This is a very good sign for Southern Nevada.”