ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA's mid-year statistics for federally insured credit unions revealed strong loan growth with a low level of delinquencies. Credit unions' annualized loan growth reached 9.8% with delinquencies settling at 0.65% for the first half of the year, according to the Call Report data of the nation's 8,871 federally insured credit unions. "I am pleased to report the loan to share ratio climbed to 75.9%, the highest level since December 2000, and loan delinquencies declined to 0.65% in the first six months of 2005," NCUA Chairman JoAnn Johnson said. "Earnings remain strong with credit unions reporting an annualized 0.93% return on average assets at mid-year. These figures highlight the overall safe and sound condition of America's credit unions in a growing economy. Also, it reflects well of credit union members' confidence in their institutions." From Jan. 1 and June 30, 2005, credit union: * Assets increased 3.5%, to $669.7 billion from $647.0 billion; * Loans increased 4.9%, to $434.5 billion from $414.2 billion; * Shares increased 2.9%, to $572.3 billion from $556.1 billion; * Investments increased 1.5%, to $162.1 billion from $159.7 billion; * Net worth increased 4.3%, to $73.9 billion from $70.9 billion; and * Membership increased 1.1%, to 84.5 million members. Real estate loans continue to lead growth. First mortgages were up 5.4% to $137.1 billion and other real estate loans, such as second mortgage and home equity loans, expanded 8.7% to $67.3 billion. Additionally, auto loans are growing fairly rapidly at 7.4% for new cars and 2.6% for used vehicles. Delinquent loan amounts fell 5.8%, while the amount delinquent on credit cards dropped 9.9%. On the savings side, share certificates grew 8.7%, regular shares rose 1.5% to $203.1 billion, and IRA/Keogh accounts increased 2.4% to $47.8 billion. Money market shares declined 1.8% during the first half of the year. A detailed, consolidated balance sheet is available on the NCUA Web site at http://www.ncua.gov/data/FOIA/foia.html.