ALEXANDRIA, Va. — NCUA found federally insured credit unions'asset and share growth strong during the third quarter of 2007.

“The loan to share ratio increased to 82.66 percent signifyingcredit unions diligently fulfill their mission of being a majorlending source for their members,” NCUA Chairman JoAnn Johnsonsaid. “A significant portion of loan growth can be attributed toreal estate lending during the first nine months of 2007.” A reviewof annualized figures shows first mortgages continuing to increase12.49% while other types of real estate loans rose 8.0%

However, credit union first mortgage fixed, hybrid, and balloondelinquencies increased from 0.28% to 0.44%, and first mortgageadjustable delinquency increased from 0.33% to 0.46%. Still netcharge-offs for first mortgage real estate stayed the same as 2006at 0.02%.