Ascend President and CEO Caren Gabriel said the bonuses are never guaranteed, but is something Ascend's board strives to provide members each year, showing the difference between credit unions and their competitors.

“Ascend's member return is the perfect example of what a financial cooperative should be doing – sharing the success of the business by returning money to the people who make it successful,” she said. “Banks, payday lenders – and many credit unions – do not return money to their customers.”

The other five announcing bonuses were:

• Educators Credit Union, Racine, Wis. ($1.8 billion in assets, 156,561 members) paid its members $2.46 million to reward them for their loyalty. The program started in 2009 pays $15 to members who use three to four services, $50 to those using five to six services, and $75 to those using seven or more services.
• Goldenwest Federal Credit Union, Ogden, Utah ($1.4 billion in assets, 126389 members) will pay $1.75 million in bonus dividends to members Dec. 31, marking its 14^th consecutive annual payment. Since 2003 it has distributed $11.2 million.
• Scott Credit Union, Edwardsville, Ill. ($1.1 billion in assets, 139,241 members gave members $500,000 in bonus dividends and loan interest rebates in November, bringing its 10-year total to over $10 million. The credit union has given members a bonus dividend for the past 26 years, and a loan interest rebate for the past 11 years, President/CEO Frank Padak said.
• Western Division Federal Credit Union, Williamsville, N.Y. ($141.1 million in assets, 8562 members) paid more than $800,000 in Patronage Dividends based on each member's level of participation. The maximum dividend a member could receive was $580.
• Wright-Patt Credit Union, Dayton, Ohio ($3.9 billion in assets, 349,388 members) will pay $8 million in Special Patronage Dividends to members Jan. 4. WPCU has paid $56 million in the annual bonus since 2008.

“2017 was another successful year for Wright-Patt Credit Union, and the Special Patronage Dividend reflects our dedication to sharing our success with our members,” said Tracy Szarzi-Fors, vice president of marketing and business development.

In addition, Corporate Central Credit Union based in Muskego, Wis., announced it will pay member credit unions a 7% dividend on all perpetual contributed capital balances for the month of December. The payment is the highest in Corporate Central's history, reflecting steady membership growth and service usage, partially due to their fee schedule overhaul earlier this year.

“Through their steadfast commitment and partnership, our members have made our 2017 financial performance exceptionally successful,” President/CEO Chris Felton said.