While it may be hard to convince some, loans per member areactually up, reversing declines in 2011, 2010 and 2009.

According to CUNA Mutual Group's January Credit Union TrendsReport, which tracked data through November 2012, loans permember of $6,343 were up just 1.9% year-over-year.

“This small victory is welcome. The low dollar amount highlightsthe real opportunity,” said Dave Colby, CUNA Mutual chief economist.

Still, the challenge for credit unions in 2013 will be to focuson getting more of new and existing members' borrowingbusiness.

“Succeeding at this challenge benefits member householdfinancials and the financials of credit unions,” Colby said.

At the end of November, total credit union loan growth was 4.4%, according to the report. Once again, the7.7% annual gain in vehicle loans led the way, accounting for 50% of the gain.First mortgages contributed almost 46% of all growth despite thesale of $2.4 billion in fixed-rate first mortgages during themonth.

Stronger growth in credit cards is also expected as creditunions increase penetration with the 2.3 million new members gainedduring the past year. Business loan growth will also be a positivein 2013, the data showed.

Colby said looking ahead, there will be continued strengthin vehicle lending “assuming we avoid a major economic/consumerconfidence interruption from cliffs two, three and four.”

“When you are perched on a mountain of debt, avoiding one cliffis nice, but realize there are many more risky precipices to come,”Colby said. “But during the next two months, sequester spendingcuts will need to be addressed, a continuing resolution must bepassed and most importantly, the debt ceiling must be raised. Thesenext three cliffs will impact employment growth, consumersentiment, the nation's credit rating and the overall direction ofthe economy.”

Colby said there has yet to be a consumer sentiment readingfollowing the 2% reduction in wage earners take-home pay.

“If those in Washington repeat the August 2011 debt ceilingfight, sentiment plunges and this soft, consumer-led recoverystalls, credit unions' first challenge in 2013 will be to helpmembers replace the 2% take-home pay they lost by recapturing loansheld elsewhere by providing better terms,” the CUNA economistsaid.