<p>WASHINGTON – NAFCU has announced that it is now accepting nominations for its 2002 awards competition in three separate areas: annual, marketing and innovation showcase. "Winners in these categories represent the elite among credit union leaders and innovators," said NAFCU Awards Committee Chair Bill Cheney,president/ CEO of Xerox FCU. "Each year, we recognize the quality of true excellence in the credit union community and learn who among us are on the cutting edge." All entries for the awards competition are due April 12, 2002. Entries may be submitted online at www.nafcu.org Credit unions without Internet access can obtain an entry form by calling NAFCU's Member Service Center at (800) 344-5580. The award recipients are chosen from among NAFCU members. For the annual awards NAFCU highlights distinguished service in three areas: Professional of the Year, Federal Credit Union of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year. Winners will be recognized at a special ceremony during NAFCU's 35th Annual Conference and Exhibition. Entries for each award will be divided into two asset sizes, credit unions with assets less than $100 million and credit unions with assets of $100 million or more. NAFCU's marketing award will be divided into six separate categories with one award given in three different asset groups: $0M – $29.9M $30M – $124.9M $125M and above The six marketing awards categories are: 1. Best Membership Promotion 2. Best Lending Promotion 3. Best Product or Service Promotion 4. Miscellaneous/Other Promotion 5. Best Promotional Campaign 6. Best Web Site The last award area is the Showcase Award that stresses product and service innovations. There is one winner for this award with no asset size breakdown, but 2nd and 3rd places are recognized. Both the marketing and showcase awards will be recognized at NAFCU's NAFCU's 35th Annual Conference and Exhibition.</p>