Patronage Dividends
About the Program
Patronage Stats
“The board of directors is committed to maintaining a cooperative that combines in-depth expertise with financial strength to be a long-term partner to our members. The board’s philosophy is that funds not needed to operate or capitalize the business should be returned to members.”
2023 marked the 27th consecutive annual patronage payment
Learn more about patronage dividends by contacting your local office.
“Paying patronage dividends is an essential component of our cooperative’s value proposition. Farm Credit East has the capacity to invest in technology and our people, while continuing to pay patronage dividends and meet our members’ capital needs as the leading financial partner to the Northeast agriculture, commercial fishing and forest products industries.”
Patronage Dividends FAQs
Our earnings are either returned in the form of patronage dividends or retained on our balance sheet to help us continue serving agriculture through all its ups and downs. Paid entirely in cash, patronage payments are equivalent to a percentage of the interest Farm Credit East customers paid that year.
Patronage dividend payments are taxable. We encourage recipients to consult with their tax advisors about their specific situations.
The Farm Credit East Board will evaluate a variety of business factors, including earnings, growth and economic conditions to determine the appropriate amount of patronage dividends each year.