EZ Launch has been aware of the need to protect its credit union investors from the opportunity cost should interest rates on other vehicles rise, and that is why ICULSC has structured the program with some built-in protections. Investors receive their return in two ways. They receive a base rate indexed to the targeted Fed Funds rate plus 50 basis points. The base rate is paid to investors quarterly. For the second quarter, investors received an average of 1.71% as a base rate, ICULSC said. Investors also receive a profit rate of 50% of the profits of the program pro-rata in addition to the base rate. The profit rate is paid semi-annually. The first profit period expired at the end of June. Investors were paid 1.69% (annualized) on their investment as their share of the profits. Combined the investors received a 3.4% rate of return.