OAK RIDGE, Tenn.–For the second year in a row, ORNL Federal Credit Union has paid out a special dividend to its members.
The $4 million distributed, paid out during International Credit Union Week, was paid to members according to their deposit and loan relationships with ORNL FCU.
In 2018, ORNL FCU paid a $3 million special dividend to members for the first time since 2005.
“The credit union continues to experience strong growth and good earnings,” said Board Chair Randy Gorman. “The special dividend shared across the membership is one way we return value and express appreciation to our members.”
As part of the $4 million special dividend announcement, ORNL Federal also chose four members at random to have their auto loan balances paid off in full, with each winning members also receiving a check to cover the estimated taxes they would owe on the value of their loan payoff.
‘I Thought It Was a Scam’
ORNL FCU hosted the winners at a presentation ceremony and reception. The winners were Nakita and Ronald Delfino of Knoxville, Tenn.; Travis and Elizabeth Hutchison of Andersonville, Tenn.; Matthew and Elisha Roper of Madisonville, Tenn., and Kristi Wagner of Sweetwater, Tenn.
“I thought it was a scam. I went to my branch and verified, then I called him back to apologize for being so short with him on the phone,” the credit union quoted Matthew Roper as saying.
The $2.25-billion ORNL Federal has more than 169,000 members with a 16-county FOM in Central East Tennessee.