Growing Fee Income Continues to Drive CU Bottom Line, Online Survey Shows

WASHINGTON – Courtesy pay programs are leading the way in the growth of non-interest income for credit unions, according to the latest online survey by Callahan & Associates. The survey of credit unions representing 13.5% of the industry’s overall non-interest income in 2003 found that non-sufficient funds program fees were the largest money maker, followed by real estate lending fees, credit card interchange fees and debit interchange fees, in that order. The credit union industry recorded non-interest income exceeding $6.6 billion last year, the most ever and a 19.4% jump from 2002, Callahan figures show. The survey is online at www.creditunions.com/surveys/ new5300.asp and complete results will be distributed to all participants in mid-April, Callahan said. A Webinar on service revenue will be held Thursday, April 15, at 2 p.m. For more information, go to http://www.creditunions.com/ solutions/webinar/servicerev.htm.