PHOENIX—Desert Financial Credit Union said its Member Giveback Bonus program will reward qualified members with a total of $16 million later this month.
Over nearly a decade, Desert Financial reported it has awarded its members a total of $122 million in giveback bonuses. Members earn points in the free Relationship Rewards Program by choosing Desert Financial for various banking activities. These activities can include acquiring a loan, receiving direct deposits of more than $500 per month and more, DFCU said.
“The more account activity a member has — deposits, loan balance, debit card activities — the higher their individual giveback bonus,” the credit union said.
Qualifying members will receive an average giveback bonus of $88.11 this year.
Part of Broader Focus
Desert Financial said the Relationship Rewards program and the Member Giveback Bonus are part of the credit union’s broader focus on member financial well-being, designed to help members build stability, flexibility and confidence in their day-to-day finances.
“As a member-owned institution, our responsibility is to return value to the people who make our success possible,” President/CEO Jeff Meshey said in a statement. “The giveback bonus is just one way we deliver on that responsibility by putting money back in our members’ hands.”
The credit union has a microsite, desertfinancial.com/bonus, where members can learn more and also see what their bonus could be, as shown below.
Additional Payouts
As the CU daily reported earlier:
- Dearborn, Mich.-based DFCU Financial announced the distribution of$18.7 million in cash back to eligible members, marking 20 years of its Cash Back program. Since the program launched in 2006, DFCU Financial said it has returned more than $510 million to its members, “reinforcing its long-standing commitment to sharing success with the people it serves.”
- Parkersburg, W.V.-based West Virginia Central Credit Union paid a bonus dividend just over $993,000 to about 22,000 members. WVCCU said that unlike recent bonus dividends paid out, the owner dividend was distributed based on how long a member has banked with the credit union rather than account balances. For those who were members as of Dec. 31st, 2024, and prior received $48 and those who became members after received $12.50.
- Midland, Mich.-based Dow Credit Union said its 2025 Member Giveback is paying out more than $18 million. The payout is based on a 30% return of the additional interest paid to members with eligible deposits, 30% of the interest paid on eligible loans, and a 0.125% rebate based on net Visa debit card usage.
- In Elko, Nev., Elko Federal Credit Union said it is giving back in two ways: a $1 million Member Dividend paid directly to members, and a $200,000 Community Dividend that is dedicated to supporting local not-for-profit organizations. For members, the payout is: Approximately $457,000 share bonus dividend for qualified primary share account holders; Approximately $457,000 loan interest refund for members with qualifying loans; Approximately $86,000 to its EFCU Youth accounts.
- In Pasadena, Texas, the $1.25-billion Gulf Coast Educators FCU said it is distributing $2 million in loyalty bonuses to eligible members, to thank them for their continued trust and support. Following a successful 2025, the credit union said it deposited $2,016,665 directly into the accounts of 33,164 eligible members as part their Loyalty Bonus program. Individual bonuses ranged from $15 to $285, rewarding members for their everyday banking activity and long-term relationship with the credit union.
- In Wyandotte, Michigan., Michigan Legacy Credit Union, has announced its Patronage 365 dividend. According to CEO Carma Peters, Michigan Legacy opts to distribute its patronage dividends back to its members every day of the year in fee waivers (hence, Patronage 36’), based on the members’ participation with the credit union. The dividend increases as members increase their financial transaction activity. “Our staff educate members by informing them that the more they use their credit union, the less they pay in fees,” Peters said in a statement. “In 2025, Michigan Legacy waived a total of $319,275.00 in fees to members via patronage dividends – a number equal to 34% of Michigan Legacy Credit Union’s 2025 income, and one that reflects our role as a true financial cooperative.
