MENDON, N.Y. – This is the second year in a row Pittsford Federal Credit Union has issued a dividend to its members. The $218 million CU recently issued a "special member dividend." For 2005, it was $500,000, which was calculated by summing the total interest paid on loans and the total dividends earned on deposits and then multiplying by a dividend factor of 2.85%. "In the crowded banking marketplace, competitors struggle to stand out as unique. In fact, just the opposite seems to be true," the CU wrote on its Web site. "Some form of `FREE' campaign can be associated with almost every bank in Rochester. As a result, all banks end up looking the same." Pittsford FCU General Manager Bill Martin said "We believe a special member dividend to be a unique and distinctive credit union benefit. This dividend affirms the value of membership and provides another financial benefit to our member-owners." Founded in 1968, the CU serves more than 16,600 members.