Six credit unions announced $18.1 million in annual dividends, or an extra $19.34 for each of their 957,192 members.

Some of credit union dividends are distributed as annual bonuses when conditions allow, based on a variety of formulas.

For example, Ascend Federal Credit Union ($2.1 billion in assets, 177,051 members) sent $5 million in bonus dividends and loan interest refunds to members last month. The Tullahoma, Tenn., credit union has distributed $71.5 million in bonuses over the last 13 years. The other five announcing bonuses were:

• Educators Credit Union, Racine, Wis. ($1.8 billion in assets, 156,561 members) paid its members $2.46 million to reward them for their loyalty. The program started in 2009 pays $15 to members who use three to four services, $50 to those using five to six services, and $75 to those using seven or more services.

• Goldenwest Federal Credit Union, Ogden, Utah ($1.4 billion in assets, 126,389 members) paid $1.75 million in bonus dividends to members Dec. 31, marking its 14th consecutive annual payment.

• Scott Credit Union, Edwardsville, Ill. ($1.1 billion in assets, 139,241 members) gave members $500,000 in bonus dividends and loan interest rebates in November, bringing its 10-year total to more than $10 million. The credit union has given members a bonus dividend for the past 26 years and a loan interest rebate for the past 11 years.

• Western Division Federal Credit Union, Williamsville, N.Y. ($141.1 million in assets, 8,562 members) paid more than $800,000 in Patronage Dividends based on each member's level of participation.

• Wright-Patt Credit Union, Dayton, Ohio ($3.9 billion in assets, 349,388 members) paid $8 million in Special Patronage Dividends to members Jan. 4.

In addition, Corporate Central Credit Union in Muskego, Wis., announced it will pay member credit unions a 7% dividend on all perpetual contributed capital balances for the month of December. The payment is the highest in Corporate Central's history.