In a statement, Chief Executive Wayne Tew said that despite the economy's effect on financial institutions, the Las Vegas-based credit union continues to thrive.

"The best evidence of this success is the recent announcement that for the eighth consecutive year, we have millions of dollars to distribute to our members," he said in the statement.

Members received a 13 percent return rate, based on the interest rate paid or earned during 2007. The average dividend payment was $179; the largest payment was $41,000.

This year's bonus dividend is the third largest in its history, he said.

"Today's financial challenges have taken a toll on some of our members," Tew said in the statement. "However, despite these challenges, we are well poised for another great year in 2008."

The credit union, which has 38,700 members, has assets of $626 million and six branches in the Las Vegas Valley. Its membership is open to county and municipal employees, medical professionals, members of Nevada Public Radio and select employer groups.

The bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of California-based City National Corp.

The bank's giving increased 33 percent over 2006, as it donated more than $100,000 to more than 70 nonprofit and community organizations last year. Its in-kind donations rose 13 percent, with bank staff members volunteering 1,700 service hours, "no small feat" for a company of City National's size, John Guedry, executive vice president and Nevada region manager, said in a statement.

"We continue to be very proud of our philanthropic performance and our increased capabilities each year to help more people and communities become better places to live and work," Guedry said in the statement. "We view our involvement in the communities we serve as an extension of our bank, and if the community succeeds, we too will be successful.

Organizations that benefited include Clark High School Academy of Finance, Keep Memory Alive, Las Vegas Rescue Mission, Safe Nest, UNLV Foundation, Las Vegas Natural History Museum and the Nevada Patriot Fund.

For every branch the bank opens in the next few months, it will donate an athletic utility cart to a selected high school sports program to carry injured players off the field or court.

Most recently the bank was scheduled to donate its second cart during halftime of the boys varsity basketball game at Centennial High School on Jan. 29.

The Las Vegas-based bank opened its 12th branch in Centennial Hills on Jan. 8, and expects to open two more this year.

"Athletic programs play such a vital role in offering a positive, constructive way for students to spend their time, and we wanted to donate something that would benefit the entire program, not just a single sport," Corey Johnson, chief executive and president of Silver State Bank, said in a statement. "With the opening of our new Centennial Hills branch, we chose Centennial High School to donate the cart to. It will support the programs and activities that help establish the foundation of the Centennial Hills area."

In December it donated a cart to Coronado High School, valued at $5,000.

The local chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners has named Julie Brutch, regional president of Bank of George, as one of three finalists for the Glass Ceiling Award.

The award honors senior-level executives who have achieved significant accomplishments in the corporate structure and made meaningful contributions to Southern Nevada, a news release said.

Brutch, who has more than 20 years experience in banking and commercial finance, said in a statement that she is honored to be considered for the award.

"It's exciting to see more women in executive positions and a pleasure to be recognized among those women," Brutch said in the statement.

The award will be presented at the Women of Distinction Awards luncheon on March 14.