Wellby Financial Announces $9 Million Special Member Dividend to Celebrate 65 Years of Credit Union Service

Marty Pell

Wellby Financial today announced a $9 million special member dividend in celebration of the credit union’s 65th anniversary, commemorating a legacy built on financial strength, trusted service and the enduring power of the cooperative model. As a member-owned financial institution, Wellby directs value back to the people who own it — its members, not shareholders — reinforcing its purpose to help people prosper.
 
This year’s milestone distribution is a powerful expression of reciprocity and shared success made possible by the cooperative relationship between its members and their credit union.
 
“For six and a half decades, Wellby has grown side by side with our members, earning their trust as a partner in their journey toward financial prosperity,” said Marty Pell, president and CEO of Wellby Financial. “This dividend reflects the deep connection we share and our commitment to ensuring that the benefits of our strong performance are returned to the people at the heart of our mission.”​
 
Wellby’s ability to return nearly all of its 2025 earnings to member-owners demonstrates years of disciplined financial stewardship and intentional, member-first decision-making. With exceptional capital and liquidity positions, the credit union stands among the region’s healthiest financial institutions, enabling meaningful value to be returned to members who drive its success.
 
These longstanding strengths, responsible risk management, sound governance and a focus on service excellence, contributed to Wellby’s recent national recognition by Forbes and Newsweek, affirming the organization’s resilience and trusted leadership within the cooperative financial sector.
 
As a credit union, Wellby operates under a structure that puts ownership directly in the hands of its members. That ownership is central to Wellby’s identity and drives its ability to pay larger dividends, offer competitive rates, provide low-fee products and deliver comprehensive financial tools built to support real-life goals.
 
Unlike banks, which return profits to shareholders, credit unions return value to the people who use their services. At Wellby, member engagement — saving, borrowing, and banking with the cooperative — strengthens the entire membership and fuels the cycle of mutual benefit. The result is a financial partner that delivers award‑winning service, competitive financial solutions and meaningful returns like this year’s special dividend.
 
"Wellby’s financial strength reflects years of making prudent, member‑centered decisions,” said Pell.“This dividend is a powerful example of cooperative finance in action — returning value to our member‑owners today while maintaining the stability and strength needed for the future. It reinforces what makes credit unions uniquely capable of supporting long‑term member prosperity.”
 
2026 Special Member Dividend

• Total Distribution: $8.8 million
• Who Receives It: Qualifying Wellby members in good standing
• How It’s Paid: Deposited directly into member accounts as a special member dividend
• Distribution Date: Feb. 13, 2026
• Purpose: Celebrates Wellby’s 65th anniversary by returning nearly all 2025 earnings to members, and reaffirms Wellby’s cooperative mission to Help People Prosper

 
This is Wellby’s second major anniversary dividend, following a similar distribution during its 60th anniversary, a testament to both the credit union’s financial strength and its commitment to returning value to its member owners whenever possible.
 
As Wellby celebrates 65 years of service, the credit union remains dedicated to expanding financial well-being, deepening member relationships, and advancing the full, mutual benefits of cooperative membership. This special member dividend honors the credit union’s past while strengthening its foundation for the future.

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