FirstLook Early Data FAQ

What Is Callahan’s FirstLook Program?

Callahan’s exclusive FirstLook program gives Peer Suite users early access to 5300 Call Report and HMDA data, weeks ahead of the NCUA and CFPB’s official releases.

This early access empowers credit unions to:

• Begin performance analysis sooner
• Refine strategic plans
• Prepare for board and examiner discussions

When Is FirstLook Data Available?

FirstLook data follows a quarterly release cycle.

While exact dates vary, Peer Suite users typically see new data several weeks before the NCUA publishes its full dataset.

How Do I View FirstLook Data in Peer Suite?

Once Callahan activates FirstLook for a data cycle:

1. Open the Custom Cycle dropdown menu on your chosen display.
2. Look for the cycle marked with an asterisk (*) , that’s your FirstLook dataset.

3. Apply this setting on any other displays where you’d like to see FirstLook results.

What If I Don’t See The Data I Expect?

There are a few common reasons:

• Reporting in Progress: The credit union may not have submitted its report yet.
  • Hover over the institution’s name in your comparison set to check the latest available quarter.
• Pending Metrics: Some data points appear only after NCUA confirmation, including:
  • Charter numbers and name changes
  • Designations (Low-Income, Minority, CDFI, Juntos Avanzamos, etc.)
  • Merger activity
• Privately Insured Credit Unions: These aren’t included in FirstLook unless they submit directly to Callahan through the 5300 Uploader. Otherwise, they’ll appear in the full NCUA dataset.

Can I Use FirstLook Data to Update My Peer Groups?

Yes! You can update or create custom peer groups to reflect changes due to FirstLook data.

1. Open the Criteria Builder from the Create dropdown in the top navigation.
2. Select Update for FirstLook from the cycle dropdown.

3. Add your desired filters. Learn more in this guide: Criteria Peer Group Builder Guide
4. Click Save to apply your selections.

Your peer group will display with a clock icon during the FirstLook period.

Once the full dataset is released, the icon disappears and your group automatically updates.

The clock icon will reappear when new FirstLook data becomes available again.

What If I Have Questions About The Numbers?

FirstLook provides early insights, but not all data is finalized. Common reasons for questions include:

• Refiled data not yet captured
• Outdated peer groups or custom displays containing retired account codes
• Incomplete submissions from credit unions

If you have questions, reach out to: analystsupport@callahan.com

What Happens If A Credit Union Refiles?

If a credit union revises its report:

• Changes will appear in the full release or once the corrected version is uploaded into Peer Suite.
• If your institution needs to refile data use the 5300 Uploader for the fastest access to updated data.

FirstLook Best Practice

Use FirstLook to spot emerging trends, shape questions, and stay ahead of industry shifts, then validate with the full release for official reporting.