When a member wants to borrow money to buy a car or house or other big items, they go to First Community Credit Union for a loan. A loan is an amount of money given to the member for a certain amount of time. It will have to be paid back to First Community Credit Union along with an extra amount of money. This extra amount of money is known as interest. The amount of interest asked from members is higher than the amount of dividends paid to the members. The money a credit union has left over after paying dividends to shareholders is the credit union's money to pay expenses**.

The example below helps to explain how credit unions can pay you dividends and earn money, too.

It's as simple as 1 - 2- 3

1. Johnny A. Member deposits $100

Interest rate - 2.5%

2. Suzy Q. Member takes out a loan

Principal* - $80
Interest rate - 10%
Time to repay - 1 year

3. One year later

Johnny A. Member's savings account
Money on deposit		$100
Interest @ 2.5%		$5
Total in account		$105
Johnny earns dividends

Suzy Q. Member has paid in full
Principal		$80
Interest at 10%		$8
Total to be paid		$88
Suzy pays interest

and First Community Credit Union earns money to pay expenses

Interest received from loan		$8
Dividends paid to share holder		$5
The amount that pays expenses		$3

**Expenses are: salary to employees, supplies, etc.
*The principle is the amount of the loan without the interest added.

The examples above were calculated in simple interest.