To demonstrate the cooperative difference, some credit unions plan sending bonus dividend and loan interest refunds to members at year end.

Yesterday I read in one CEO’s staff update that  they were doing well enough to have accrued a minimum of $10 million in special distributions for savers and borrowers.

Here is an example of an announcment in which Robbins Financial CU is sending  members $20 million.  The special rebate program is to reward members’ loyalty and to demonstrate the credit union’s financial strength.

However credit unions are not the only financial firms which provide “members” with refunds, rebates or special dividends.  The following are excerpts from a large mutual, insurance and investment firm which competes directly with credit unions.

USAA Members Benefit from ~$3.7 Billion in Financial Rewards in 2025

Record Amount Underscores Association’s Commitment to Military Families

San Antonio, TX – USAA members are receiving approximately $3.7 billion in financial rewards in 2025 — the largest amount returned to members in USAA’s 103-year history. . .

The announcement follows USAA’s initiative to provide its members with nearly $450 million in zero-interest loans, payment extensions and fee waivers during the recent government shutdown.

In November, the Association also launched Honor Through Action, a five-year, $500 million initiative to support military family resiliency by bringing together public, private, and nonprofit partners to drive systemic change around three key pillars: meaningful careers, financial security, and overall well-being.

“We are committed to putting our members at the center of all we do and every decision we make,” said Juan C. Andrade, President and CEO of USAA. “Sharing our financial results with our members reflects our responsibility to deliver strong value and exceptional service for the military community. We are taking action every day to help keep costs down and protect the long-term value of membership. . .”

This record amount in financial rewards is possible because of USAA’s financial discipline, . .It is also a result of proactive steps USAA and members have taken to prevent losses.

“Ensuring our members benefit from our financial strength is critical.” Andrade added. “We will continue to push for reforms that address the broader factors increasing insurance costs for consumers.”. . .

USAA’s Impact in One State

The person who sent me thlis information added a calculation for his home state of North Carolina:

Why this matters for  North Carolina:  

Members in North Carolina will receive an average of $200, depending on their policies and location, as a bill credit or money back based on the member’s preference.   

Good ideas do not take long to replicate.  Especially when customers are treated as members.

Do credit unions really need to retain an average of over 11.0% retained earnings when the well-capitalized goal is 7%?