Throughout the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression,a time when many consumers were struggling financially, creditunions provided much-needed financial services to theirmembers.

Lending in these difficult economic times, however, resulted inhigh delinquency and charge-off rates. In response, NCUA hasfocused on mitigating lending risks – and I am pleased to note thatdelinquencies and charge-offs have stabilized over the pastyear.

While loan demand remains sluggish, member business lending hassurged in recent years, helping some credit unions to diversifytheir portfolios.