Credit card lending at credit unions has retained its usual seasonal pattern so far in 2015, but has seen more activity this year so far than it had at the same time in the previous two years, according to credit union and processing executives.

Executives explained that credit union credit card receivables generally fall in the first part of the year as consumers pay off the holiday balances built up in the previous year, particularly in the fourth quarter. Then, the executives said, the receivables gradually rise over the year, peaking in the fourth quarter holiday season before falling again in the first quarter of the next year.

That pattern has continued during the 2014-2015 cycle, the executives said, but consumers have generally been taking out more cards and spending more than in previous years.