In the latest "Inside the PRO Studio" discussion, CU Times Editor-in-Chief Michael Ogden and Economics Reporter Jim DuPlessis unpacked a decade of data on credit union branches and ATMs, and the conversation revealed a story of surprising stability amid rapid digital transformation.
Despite consistent 4% annual membership growth, the number of branches barely budged over 10 years. “It’s half a percent growth — that’s basically flat,” DuPlessis said. As single-location credit unions continue to shrink, multi-state players are filling the gap, with branch growth strongest in the West and South. Meanwhile, states like New Jersey and Connecticut are seeing double-digit declines, a trend DuPlessis linked to a lack of large credit unions and high real estate costs.
ATM growth also peaked between 2015 and 2020 before slowing dramatically. Still, ATMs remain a vital part of credit union strategy — especially in regions where members prefer cash or lack full digital access. “They’re reliable, solid and still doing the job,” Ogden noted.
The discussion closed on a thoughtful note: As branches serve more members than ever, is community connection being lost? “When people don’t visit, the relationship weakens,” DuPlessis said. “There’s a cost to efficiency.”
© Touchpoint Markets, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.