What is a Dividend: When a financial institution is closed and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") is appointed as receiver, one of FDIC's responsibilities is to sell the institution's assets to pay the depositors and its creditors. If there is any excess cash generated by the disposition of these assets less disposition cost and reserves met (cash it must hold to meet the obligations of the receivership), then a dividend may be declared and distributed to the proven claimants.