Skip Navigation
Skip Navigation LinksHome > Data and Services > 5300 Application and Utilities > 5300 Call Report Process Improvements

5300 Call Report Process Improvements

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Must a credit union submit the 5300 Call Report on a CD-Rom?
  2. May a credit union continue to submit the 5300 Call Report manually?
  3. If the call report data triggers an error or warning in the software, will the 5300 software program highlight the particular item causing the error or warning?
  4. Will state chartered credit unions be able to use eSend?
  5. If a credit union uses eSend, must they additionally send the 5300 Call Report to the examiner?
  6. When saving or exporting a file, will the 5300 software program automatically name the file or does a credit union create the name?
  7. May a credit union save the file in a format other than the XML format?
  8. How soon after the credit union submits the call report by eSend will the expanded pages of the FPR be available on the Internet by request?
  9. If an SSA required a copy of the financial statements be sent along with the 5300 Call Report in the past, is that still a requirement?
  10. If a credit union uses eSend, will they receive a hard copy of the FPR with updated peer ratios when they are available for the current cycle?
  11. How soon after the call report date are the current period peer ratios available?
  12. Are credit unions with assets less than $10 million required to file the standard form every cycle?
  13. Does NCUA expect board members to understand what’s in the FPR? Are examiners available to explain?
  14. Why would I need to change my call report? How far can I go back?
  15. Does the NCUA examiner or SSA have to validate a 5300 Call Report submitted via e-Send before the data is available for a credit union to request the expanded FPR via the Internet?
  16. The call report has numerous gray cells that do not accept data entry. Why?
  17. Where can a credit union find their password to use eSend?
  18. Is a credit union required to respond to the Historical Warnings Report?
  19. How soon after using e-Send will a credit union receive confirmation of a successful upload?
  20. How many cycles back does the Historical Warnings Report go for comparison purposes?
  21. Does NCUA make the call report software available to information technology vendors?
  22. The new FPR includes percentile rankings and peer average ratios for prior cycles. My credit union’s percentile rankings and peer average ratios on the new FPR for September 30, 2005, show prior period percentile ranks and peer averages for June 30, 2005. Why are the values different from the percentile ranks and peer averages reported on the former FPR for June 30, 2005?
  23. When I request an FPR using NCUA’s website, I receive the report that has a cover page with a table of contents that has links to certain report pages that are not included in my report. When I click on the links, the page is not active. Why?

(1) Must a credit union submit the 5300 Call Report on a CD-Rom? Return to Top

There are several ways to submit the 5300 Call Report. The most advantageous way is to use the eSend to NCUA option under the Data menu in the 5300 software. Alternatively, a credit union may export the 5300 Call Report file and attach the file to e-mail or save it to disk/cd-rom. Finally, a credit union may submit the 5300 Call Report in hard copy by fax or mail.

To yield the most benefits, submit the 5300 Call Report via eSend and receive the Financial Performance Report and Historical Warnings Report within 24 hours.

(2) May a credit union continue to submit the 5300 Call Report manually?Return to Top

Yes, the 5300 Call Report may be submitted manually; but, NCUA strongly encourages credit unions to move toward using eSend. The benefits of eSend include the more timely receipt of an expanded Financial Performance Report (FPR) and Historical Warnings Report. These tools may enhance data accuracy, assist with trend analysis, and facilitate communications with the examiner. Also, the call report software has built in subtotals and edit checks that help validate the accuracy of the data.

(3) If the call report data triggers an error or warning in the software, will the 5300 software program highlight the particular item causing the error or warning? Return to Top

Yes, the data elements that trigger an error or warning are shaded in pink to help identify the data source triggering the error or warning. Please refer to the Error Browser or Warning Browser for specific details to assist in correcting an error or warning.

(4) Will state chartered credit unions be able to use eSend? Return to Top

The software and process is the same for federal and state chartered credit unions. NCUA will not programmatically prevent a state chartered credit union from using eSend; however, some State Supervisory Authorities (SSAs) may have a policy that prohibits their state chartered credit unions from using eSend. NCUA encourages all credit unions to use eSend to yield the greatest benefit.

(5) If a credit union uses eSend, must they additionally send the 5300 Call Report to the examiner? Return to Top

No, if a credit union uses the eSend option to submit the call report, there is no need to send the hardcopy report to the examiner. The examiner or SSA, as applicable, will electronically receive the call report data submitted by a credit union. The credit union will receive an email confirmation to inform whether the eSend upload was successful. If the confirmation email indicates there was an error in the upload, the credit union may need to correct the error and eSend the file again. If the confirmation email indicates the upload was successful, no further action is required.

(6) When saving or exporting a file, will the 5300 software program automatically name the file or does a credit union create the name? Return to Top

The program uses a naming convention when saving or exporting the file. The naming convention is 5300Data-XXXXXYYYYQQ where X represents the five-digit charter number, Y represents the four-digit year of the cycle, and Q represents the two-digit month for the applicable quarter.

(7) May a credit union save the file in a format other than the XML format? Return to Top

No, the software only allows output in the XML format; however, the FPR the credit union receives within 24 hours after eSend contains the entire income statement and balance sheet, as well as financial ratios, in Microsoft Excel. The FPR available on request from the NCUA website, at the URL noted below, is even more detailed containing most of the call report data. http://webapps.ncua.gov/ncuafpr/

(8) How soon after the credit union submits the call report by eSend will the expanded pages of the FPR be available on the Internet by request? Return to Top

The more detailed FPR information is available immediately after a credit union submits the call report using eSend. Once the credit union receives the electronic 5-page FPR via email, they may go to the URL noted in question 7 to request an expanded report.

(9) If an SSA required a copy of the financial statements be sent along with the 5300 Call Report in the past, is that still a requirement? Return to Top

NCUA recommends a state-charted credit union contact their SSA regarding specific policies. At this time, the financial statements cannot be attached to the 5300 Call Report file that is submitted using eSend. However, the statements can be sent to the SSA separately through the mail, email, or fax.

(10) If a credit union uses eSend, will they receive a hard copy of the FPR with updated peer ratios when they are available for the current cycle? Return to Top

No, a credit union using eSend will not receive a hardcopy FPR; however, NCUA will notify all credit unions when the peer ratios for the current cycle are available. Credit unions using eSend may request an updated FPR that includes peer ratios for the current cycle via the NCUA Internet site after the cycle is complete. The new FPR does, however, include the prior period peer ratios for informational purposes.

(11) How soon after the call report date are the current period peer ratios available? Return to Top

The current cycle peer ratios are available approximately 6 to 8 weeks after the 5300 Call Report quarter end date.

(12) Are credit unions with assets less than $10 million required to file the standard form every cycle? Return to Top

Yes, NCUA modified the standard form beginning with the June 30, 2006 reporting cycle. The modified call report is designed to ease the burden of reporting on credit unions. By consolidating information and reducing ancillary schedules, the core section of the standard form only requires 10 pages of input by all credit unions. Ancillary schedules were reduced to three and are only required if a credit union is engaged in certain activities.

(13) Does NCUA expect board members to understand what’s in the FPR? Are examiners available to explain? Return to Top

Yes, NCUA expects board members to have an understanding of the credit union’s financial statements. Examiners are available to explain. Board members may also want to review the FPR Guide located on NCUA’s website under Credit Union Resources, Guides, Manuals, & Forms, or at the URL noted below. The FPR Guide provides the calculations for all FPR financial ratios. http://www.ncua.gov/GenInfo/GuidesManuals/fpr_guide/index.aspx

(14) Why would I need to change my call report? How far can I go back? Return to Top

A credit union may need to make a prior period accounting adjustment or correct an error in a previous report. With the new 5300 Call Report software, a credit union can makes changes back to September 2002. If a change to a call report prior to September 2002 is required, the credit union should contact their NCUA examiner or SSA to assist with the adjustment.

(15) Does the NCUA examiner or SSA have to validate a 5300 Call Report submitted via e-Send before the data is available for a credit union to request the expanded FPR via the Internet? Return to Top

No, although all call report submissions must be validated by an NCUA examiner or SSA, the expanded pages of the FPR are available for request upon initial upload. Having these pages available immediately provides the framework for the credit union to review the data submission for errors or omissions and to analyze trends. The FPR is now a dynamic reporting tool, which means that, in the event a correction is made to the reported data, the FPR is updated to reflect the most recent information submitted.

(16) The call report has numerous gray cells that do not accept data entry. Why? Return to Top

Gray shading on data entry fields indicates the fields are calculated accounts. Calculated accounts either flow from another page of the call report or are produced through a calculation such as summing a column or row of data. Once all required schedules are compete, these cells will automatically populate.

(17) Where can a credit union find their password to use eSend? Return to Top

Credit unions can manage their password through NCUA’s password management system at https://webapps.ncua.gov/CUPMS. From this site credit unions can retrieve forgotten passwords as well as change their password. Credit unions may also set up a series of challenge questions to retrieve forgotten passwords in the future.

(18) Is a credit union required to respond to the Historical Warnings Report? Return to Top

The Historical Warnings Report is for informational purposes only. It may help a credit union identify errors, trends, potential problem areas, or items an examiner may call to discuss. There is no requirement for a credit union to respond to the report.

(19) How soon after using e-Send will a credit union receive confirmation of a successful upload? Return to Top

A credit union will receive conformation of a successful upload within 24 hours. The successful upload message will be sent to the US Patriot Act e-mail address noted on the 5300 Call Report or to the alternate e-mail address provided by the credit union during the eSend process.

(20) How many cycles back does the Historical Warnings Report go for comparison purposes? Return to Top

The Historical Warnings Report compares data from the current cycle to historically reported data. The time periods that are compared vary for the different types of warnings but the maximum is a comparison for twelve cycles back.

(21) Does NCUA make the call report software available to information technology vendors? Return to Top

5300schema.aspx NCUA provides the call report software specifications on the NCUA web site at http://www.ncua.gov/DataServices/Data/5300/5300schema.aspx. Vendors may use this schema to program their software to prepare files to import data directly into the 5300 Call Report software.

(22) The new FPR includes percentile rankings and peer average ratios for prior cycles. My credit union’s percentile rankings and peer average ratios on the new FPR for September 30, 2005, show prior period percentile ranks and peer averages for June 30, 2005. Why are the values different from the percentile ranks and peer averages reported on the former FPR for June 30, 2005? Return to Top

The September 2005 Financial Performance Report process was revised to include changes to percentile rank and peer average ratio calculations. More detailed information can be found in the new Financial Performance Report User’s Guide.

Instead of ranking only four key ratios, the new FPR includes percentile ranks for all ratios (up to 60) on the report. The new process orders the ratios from high to low in each peer group and then ranks accordingly based upon how many credit unions in the peer group have lower/higher values.

For example, say your delinquency ratio is 1.0%, your rank is 20, and your peer group average is 3.0%. This translates to the following: roughly 20% of the credit unions in your peer group have lower ratios and roughly 80% of them have higher ratios. The former FPR may have ranked the same 1.0% delinquency ratio as 80, since the prior method for percentile rankings ranked lower Delinquency and Net Charge Off ratios with a high rank to imply that low ratios indicated better performance. The new FPR does not correlate good/bad performance to the rank, it simply shows where the credit union stands in relation to the peer group. The user can then draw appropriate conclusions as to good/bad performance based upon the overall performance, as opposed to the results of a single ratio.

Peer Averages: The peer average ratios calculations were revised with the new FPR as follows:

  • The 6 asset ranges remain the same; however as of September 2005, all federally insured credit unions (federal and state chartered) are included in the 6 asset ranges. There is no separate peer average for non-federally insured credit unions. Formerly the peer groups were separated by charter type – federal, state, and non-federal insured.
  • Extreme values (or outliers) are trimmed from the overall population based upon new rules – in most cases, the top and bottom 5 ratios and null or zero values that are not valid results are eliminated before breaking into peer groups and determining the average. Formerly, extreme values were trimmed based upon pre-set values.

(23) When I request an FPR using NCUA’s website, I receive the report that has a cover page with a table of contents that has links to certain report pages that are not included in my report. When I click on the links, the page is not active. Why? Return to Top

The table of contents for all FPRs requested using the website lists all pages that are available for the credit union that you requested. If you selected specific pages on the request screen, your report will only include those pages. If you select “All Pages,” your report will include all pages listed and the hyperlinks to those pages will be active.

Developed by: Government Printing Office (GPO) | Digital Media Services (DMS)