New Capital Credits Payout Schedule

Columbia Rural Electric Association (CREA) will start paying out Capital Credits in the first quarter of each year. The amount of capital to be retired will be determined after our annual financial audit is complete, usually in March or April. This will allow us to more accurately calculate how much retirement capital to issue to members each year. Moving forward, you should expect your Capital Credits check to arrive in the Spring. So look for your next Capital Credits check to be issued in April or May of 2025.

What Are Cooperative Capital Credits?

A cooperative does not earn profits in the sense that other businesses do. Instead, any margins, or revenues remaining after all expenses have been paid, are returned to the members in proportion to their usage of the co-op’s services through capital credits. Capital credits are a way for electric cooperative members to receive a share of the cooperative’s profits, and represent a member’s ownership in the cooperative.

How Are Capital Credits Allocated?

Each year, the cooperative’s board of directors allocates capital credits to members based on their participation in the cooperative. This participation is based on the amount of electricity consumed and the total dollar amount of services purchased.

What They Represent?

Capital credits are a share of the cooperative’s margins or excess revenue, after bills are paid and needed funds are reinvested.

How They Are Paid Out?

Cooperatives refund capital credits periodically, as approved by the board of directors. This amount is known as retirement.

How Do Capital Credits Differ From Stock Dividends?

Capital credits differ from dividends paid by investor-owned utilities to shareholders, who may not be customers of the utility

Please call our office at (509) 526-4041 if you have questions about our Capital Credits program.