Dow Credit Union Returning $18 Million to Members

“This is our annual way of saying thank you,” President/CEO Michael Goad said. “Your loyalty and engagement as members are what make our work meaningful. Because you choose to bank with us, we’re able to return real value through meaningful rewards — putting it right back in your hands and helping support your financial goals.”

This year’s distribution was Dow CU’s 45th in a row. Since 1980, the credit union has returned more than $331.6 million to members, “a distinction shared by only a small number of credit unions nationwide,” the news release said.

Dow CU was among nine credit unions in CU Times’ latest tally of $24.3 million in special dividends paid in December and January. The amount represents about $75 per member and 43 bps of its ROA of 0.70% for the 12 months ending Sept. 30.

The eight others were:

• ACIPCO Federal Credit Union, Birmingham, Ala. ($212.1 million in assets, 8,848 members), which paid members $3.5 million Dec. 5 as an Interest Rebate/Bonus Dividend. The amount represents about $402 per member and 177 bps of its ROA of 0.41% for the 12 months ending Sept. 30.
• Fort Community Credit Union of Fort Atkinson, Wis. ($398.1 million in assets, 21,801 members), which paid members $450,000 Jan. 5 as a Member Loyalty Cash. The amount represents about $21 per member and 12 bps of its ROA of 1.08% for the 12 months ending Sept. 30.
• MembersOwn Credit Union of Lincoln, Neb. ($106.5 million in assets, 8,967 members), which paid members $250,000 Dec. 31 as a 4% loan interest rebate and a 4% bonus dividend. The amount represents about $28 per member and 23 bps of its ROA of 0.92% for the 12 months ending Sept. 30.
• Priority First Federal Credit Union of DuBois, Pa. ($165.9 million, 16,709 members), which is paying members $400,000 Jan. 15 as a Loyalty Bonus Dividend. The amount represents about $25 per member and 28 bps of its ROA of 2.21% for the 12 months ending Sept. 30.
• Quest Federal Credit Union of Kenton, Ohio ($213.4 million, 16,817 members), which paid members $72,334 Dec. 31 as a patronage dividend. The amount represents about $4 per member and 4 bps of its ROA of 0.83% for the 12 months ending Sept. 30.
• White Sands Federal Credit Union of Las Cruces, N.M. ($402.7 million, 24,415 members), which paid members $426,990 Dec. 31 as a bonus dividend. The amount represents about $14 per member and 11 bps of its ROA of 1.21% for the 12 months ending Sept. 30.
• Scott Credit Union of Edwardsville, Ill. ($1.8 billion, 134,916 members), which paid members $1 million Dec. 8 as a bonus dividend and loan interest rebate. The amount represents about $7 per member and 6 bps of its ROA of 0.48% for the 12 months ending Sept. 30. It has paid more than $17.3 million in special dividends over the last 19 years.
• New South Credit Union of Knoxville, Tenn. ($84.1 million in assets, 6,745 members), which paid members $250,000 Dec. 31 as a Bonus Dividend. The amount represents about $37 per member and 33 bps of its ROA of 1.03% for the 12 months ending Sept. 30.

In its December newsletter, New South said it expected 2025 to be another strong year.

“In a year many financial institutions may have struggled to maintain a healthy balance sheet, New South thrived,” it said. “New South continues to be considered one of the region’s strongest credit unions, and again — we contribute our strength and success to the continued support of you — our members.”

So far this season, CU Times has tallied 28 credit unions ($83.4 billion, four million members), which have announced $184.6 million in special dividends. The amount represents about $46 per member and 23 bps of their 12-month ROA of 0.96%.

Credit unions interested in sharing their special dividend announcements can email them to Jim.DuPlessis@arc-network.com.