IRONDALE, Ala.— Corporate America Credit Union (CACU) is crediting strong performance for its 1% capital option in 2025, an investment pathway it said “strengthens CACU’s capital base while permanently reducing operating costs for participating members.”
The program grants credit unions that invest 1% capital lifetime fee relief on what it said is a comprehensive suite of payment services, reducing their operating costs forever.
CACU reported it ended the year with an effective rate of 7% on perpetual capital accounts paying nearly $12 million in dividends.
“Although waived payment service fees are a key benefit of the 1% capital option, CACU is committed to lowering operating costs for every member,” the organization explained. “To demonstrate this commitment, payment service fees were eliminated for all members for three months of the year.”
Since June 2025, the combination of reduced fees for capital holders and these three months of relief has resulted in more than $1.5 million in savings for its credit unions, according to Corporate America.
$68M in New Investments
Corporate America CU further reported that more than 70 credit unions reached the 1% level, collectively contributing more than $68 million in new investments.
“This growing participation reflects strong confidence in CACU’s long-term strategy and reinforces the value of the option,” CACU stated. “With credit unions from 11 states represented, the 1% option continues to expand its national footprint while delivering meaningful, permanent operating-cost reductions for members.”
Added President and CEO Pete Pritts in a statement, “The 1% capital option reflects our belief that lower operating costs and strong capital dividends should go hand-in-hand. In 2025, we saw tremendous momentum with members reaching the 1% level. To this, we reinvested in payments and technology, and the program translated into real, recurring savings at the credit-union level. Our thanks to the credit unions that chose this path; your confidence fuels CACU’s ability to continuously serve and innovate.”
A ‘Win-Win’
Chief Strategy Officer Lauren Howle called the scenario a win-win for CACU and their member credit unions.
“CACU remains well-capitalized from a regulatory perspective, and the 1% option helps us go further—supporting asset growth, modernization, and member value,” Howle said in a statement. “And with permanently waived payment-service fees and substantial dividends from the capital account, credit unions are able to give even more back to their members and communities.”
