ATLANTA – When members of Delta Employees CU opened their year-end financial statements in January, they received an unexpected bonus. The $2.5 billion dollar credit union paid its 165,000 members more than $8 million in savings dividend bonuses and loan interest refunds as part of its effort to share its financial success. These bonus dollars were in addition to the $40 million paid to members in regular savings dividends in 2004. Savers received a bonus dividend amounting to 10% additional payment of calendar 2004 dividends paid. For example, a member earning $1,000 in dividends for the year received an additional $100. A savings account must have been an active account on December 31, 2004.Borrowers were also rewarded with a 5% interest refund on the loan interest they paid in 2004. Loans delinquent more than 30 days and charged-off loans were not included in the interest refund. "The credit union was able to give this money back to members because it operates in a fiscally conservative manner for the benefit of its members," said Richard Foley, president/CEO of Delta Employees CU. "Sharing the credit union's financial success with members is important to the staff and board of directors. It is one of the major differences between credit unions and other financial institutions."