Custom Graphing: 3 Column Charts for Single CU/Peer Group?

There are 3 different column charts under Single CU/Peer Group. Let's take a look at the difference between them:

1. Single Cycle: This one shows you a different column for each account in a single cycle. Not sure how often you'd use...but here's an example to show the total $ outstanding for various components of the loan portfolio.

2. Historical: This one is more useful. It shows you multiple accounts going back over time for a single CU or PG. This is the same as the line chart next to it. I usually use columns when measuring balances and the line for ratios. Not sure why...Here are 2 examples:
3. Stacked Column (Historical): My favorite. Use this to look at composition changes historically. Here is an example showing the changing composition of the average credit union share portfolio over time. (I'm using the "All US" peer group...thus the 'average' composition for the entire industry). Note the shift toward share certificates starting in 2006...

Bonus! I just learned something myself. You can use the Type menu above this chart to turn it into a stacked area chart. This yields the same result as having selected the Area Chart. Yay. Once less blog post.

Note: the Account Selection screen is the same for all of them...just realize when you select type 2, each account code you is a different column. For type 3, each account code is stacked on top of the others, rather than next to them.

And with that bonus find, I'm treating myself to a 3-day weekend (I'm actually on a 7-day vacation as you read this but I felt compelled to prepare tips for my 3 loyal Jedi-in-training while I am overseas.) My next post will be on Tuesday, July 21 and cover Historical Tables.

Custom Graphing: Single CU or PG + Composition Pie/Bar

My dear Padawan, I'm so glad you have expressed interest in being a Custom Graphing Jedi Master. Let us begin our training with the "Single Credit Union or Peer Group" section of Peer 2.0.

I am going to begin out of order, tackling the 2 composition charts in the middle first. They are the easiest to understand.

Say you want to look at current composition of your loan, share or investment portfolio (or that of your "competitor"--another CU or a peer group). Composition: Pie and Composition: Bar display the same information, just in different formats. Pies are traditional but honestly not nearly as easy to interpret as bar charts which make it very easy to see the relative size of each component. Let's do an example using the Loan Portfolio and the Pie chart.

First, click on the Pie image and Peer will take you to the Account Selection screen. Now, type in the formulas you want to include in the pie chart and the titles you want shown on the legend.
a396+a397 = unsecured debt
a385+a370+a002 = auto loans & leases
a703+a386= mortgage loans
a698 = other

(Not sure how to figure out account codes? That's another entry all together...click here.)


For now, keep "Just show selected comparisons" checked. I'll explain the other option in a minute.

Select "Preview" or "Save." Preview puts it in your Temporary Displays, Save will prompt you to select a folder in which to save it. Done.
Ok, 3 things to play with.

1. By default, the graph is showing the actual $ values. If you'd rather see the %, simply use the Data Format drop down.


2. Change your mind and would rather see the bar chart? Select Type--> Bar.

Hmm....bar charts should always sort largest to smallest...I'll have to submit a fix.

3. Want to look at one of your other comparisons? Simply use the drop down menu on the chart to change. Your primary and all of your comparisons will be on the list.


Ok, this brings us back to the radio buttons on the Account Selection Screen:

These radio buttons dictate what comparisons will be shown on the drop down menu on the chart (#3 above). If you just want to see your primary & comparisons, leave the top option selected. If you want to look at the individual credit unions that comprise your peer group comparisons, go ahead and add the second button. The only problem: your drop down menu will be mighty long depending on how big your peer group is.