Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NCUA 5300 Call Report?
The NCUA 5300 Call Report is the official quarterly financial filing that every federally-insured credit union must submit to the National Credit Union Administration. It covers balance sheet, income statement, loan quality, membership, and other financial metrics. It is public domain data.
How is the PlainCU health score calculated?
The health score (0–100) is a composite of five metrics NCUA examiners use: net worth ratio (capital adequacy), delinquency rate (loan quality), return on assets (profitability), member growth (institutional health), and loan-to-share ratio (lending activity). Higher scores indicate stronger financial health across these dimensions.
Is a lower health score a red flag?
A lower score means weaker performance across the five metrics relative to peers. It does not mean a credit union is insolvent or unsafe. All federally-insured credit unions are backed by the NCUA Share Insurance Fund, which covers deposits up to $250,000. Use health scores as one of several factors when evaluating a credit union.
How do credit unions compare to banks on rates?
Credit unions are member-owned nonprofits that return profits to members as better rates, typically lower loan rates and higher deposit rates than commercial banks. PlainCU's rate comparison pages show typical differentials across 13 loan and deposit products.
How do I join a credit union?
Each credit union defines its own field of membership, who is eligible to join. Common criteria include employer, geographic area, association membership, or family member of an existing member. Many credit unions have expanded their fields of membership broadly. Check the credit union's website or contact them directly to verify eligibility.
Why does my credit union's data look outdated?
PlainCU reflects Q4 annual Call Report snapshots. The most recent data is Q4 2025, released by NCUA in early 2026. Real-time financial positions may differ. For current information, contact the credit union directly or check NCUA's member database.
Is PlainCU affiliated with NCUA?
No. PlainCU is an independent data portal built by PlainCU. We present public NCUA Call Report data in a searchable format but are not affiliated with NCUA or any government agency. Health scores are our own composite metric, not NCUA ratings.