ZEAL scores higher on overall financial health (health score: 59/100). Higher health scores reflect stronger capital ratios, lower delinquency, and better earnings.
Financial Metrics Comparison
| Metric | MEMBERS FIRST | ZEAL |
|---|---|---|
| Health Score 0–100, higher is better | 57 | 59 |
| Total Assets | $900.6M | $878.2M |
| Members | 67,490 | 64,934 |
| Net Worth Ratio Higher = better capitalized (≥7% = "well capitalized") | 6.98% | 20.82% |
| Delinquency Rate Lower = fewer past-due loans | 1.14% | 1.45% |
| Return on Assets (ROA) Higher = more profitable | 0.000% | 0.000% |
| Loan-to-Share Ratio Higher = more loans deployed vs deposits | 82.09% | 96.51% |
| Member Growth Year-over-year membership change | 2.6% | -0.7% |
Teal/bold = better performer on that metric. Financial ratios from most recently reported NCUA quarter.
Membership & Structure
| Detail | MEMBERS FIRST | ZEAL |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Midland, MI | Livonia, MI |
| Charter Type | State | State |
| Field of Membership | Other | Other |
| Peer Group | Over $500M | Over $500M |
| Charter Number | 62076 | 62426 |
What This Comparison Says About MEMBERS FIRST vs ZEAL
MEMBERS FIRST (Midland, MI) and ZEAL (Livonia, MI) are both federally-insured credit unions reporting quarterly to the NCUA, but they differ meaningfully in scale and profile. MEMBERS FIRST holds $900.6M in assets across 67,490 members, while ZEAL holds $878.2M across 64,934 members. On the composite health score, ZEAL comes out ahead at 59/100 versus 57/100 for its counterpart — a gap driven by the weighted combination of capital, loan quality, earnings, growth, and liquidity metrics shown above. Charter numbers 62076 and 62426 indicate entirely separate NCUA supervisory records; they operate under peer groups Over $500M and Over $500M respectively.
Capital adequacy is the first check: MEMBERS FIRST's net worth ratio of 6.98% is measured against the NCUA's 7.0% "well capitalized" bar, while ZEAL posts 20.82%. Loan quality — measured as loans 60+ days past due over total loans — comes in at 1.14% for MEMBERS FIRST and 1.45% for ZEAL; lower is tighter. Earnings efficiency (ROA) shows 0.000% versus 0.000%, though credit unions as not-for-profit cooperatives often report ROA near zero by design, returning surplus to members through rates and dividends. Loan-to-share ratios of 82.09% and 96.51% indicate how each institution deploys member deposits — the 60–80% band is generally considered the balanced-liquidity window by industry analysts.
Both credit unions are covered by NCUSIF federal insurance up to $250,000 per depositor per ownership category, the same limit as FDIC coverage at banks — so the comparison here is about financial efficiency and member experience, not deposit safety. Before joining either institution, verify the field of membership: MEMBERS FIRST is currently defined as "Other" and ZEAL as "Other", and eligibility rules (employer, geography, association) determine who can actually open accounts. Current deposit rates, loan APRs, fees, and product availability change continuously and are not reflected in quarterly Call Report data — contact each credit union directly before opening accounts or borrowing. This comparison is informational only and is not financial advice, an endorsement, or a solicitation; credit union performance can shift materially quarter to quarter and should be re-evaluated with current reports before making any decision.
What to Consider When Choosing
Net Worth Ratio: The NCUA requires credit unions to maintain a net worth ratio of at least 7% to be considered "well capitalized." MEMBERS FIRST shows 6.98% vs ZEAL at 20.82%. Higher ratios indicate stronger financial buffers.
Delinquency Rate: Measures the percentage of loans that are 60+ days past due. Lower delinquency rates indicate tighter underwriting and lower credit risk. MEMBERS FIRST: 1.14% — ZEAL: 1.45%.
Return on Assets: ROA measures how efficiently a credit union generates income from its assets. Industry benchmark is typically 0.50–0.70%. Both values here may be close to zero since credit unions are not-for-profit and return value to members through lower rates and higher dividends.
Membership eligibility: Check each credit union's field of membership before applying. Many restrict membership by employer, geography, or community affiliation.