The top 10 credit unions' rebate totals for last year included the following, the CUSO said:

• The $3.8 billion Bank-Fund Staff Federal Credit Union (Washington, D.C.): $465,161.45
• The $2.6 billion Northwest Federal Credit Union (Herndon, Va.): $462,679.68
• The $2.7 billion Wright-Patt Credit Union (Fairborn, Ohio): $199,469.87
• The $1.8 billion Apple Federal Credit Union (Fairfax, Va.): $198,337.24
• The $2.6 billion Tower Federal Credit Union (Annapolis Junction, Md.) : $170,059.41
• The $1.9 billion Baxter Credit Union (Vernon Hills, Ill.): $156,523.00
• The $1.5 billion State Department Federal Credit Union (Alexandria, Va.): $120,177.59
• The $2.2 billion Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union (St. Paul, Minn.): $111,947.44
• The $2.3 billion Redwood Credit Union (Santa Rosa, Calif.): $85,084.67
• The $1.2 billion Partners Federal Credit Union (Burbank, Calif.): $77,647.25

“The housing market is signaling a rebound, with more home buyers and sellers jumping back in,” said CU Realty Services CEO Mike Corn. “As the competition heats up, CU Realty is here to help credit unions connect with these buyers and sellers right from the start, as their first point of contact, long before they need a mortgage. As a result, we're seeing a large number of members start their search with their credit union, and stay for financing.”

According to Janet Corrigan, director of lending at of Bank-Fund Staff FCU, the value of the CU Realty program is its wide range of services.

“It offers our members everything they might need during their home-buying process,” Corrigan said. “By connecting with members early on, and assisting them along each step, we are doing more than growing mortgage volumes. We are strengthening relationships.”

John Ritchey, director of lending at Apple FCU, agreed.

“The realty program is based on building relationships – with members, with real estate agents. Even more, it benefits everyone – a true win-win-win,” he said.