BATON ROUGE, La. – As far as LA DOTD Federal Credit Union CEO Cary Anderson, NAFCU's CEO of the Year for smaller federal credit unions, is concerned, he's just doing his job. LA DOTD is the ninth credit union Anderson has worked at-and where he has remained since 2001-fourth as CEO. The 56-year-old began his career 28 years ago on the front line as a teller. "I think it gets in your blood. It's a fun business. It's really helping people," he explained. When asked why he thought he received the honor, Anderson candidly answered, "I don't know.I'm flattered and humbled by the whole thing." He added, "We feel we're progressive. We're big into financial literacy and outreach." The multiple group credit union has adopted three underserved areas. The credit union's financial literacy program has grown from 30 courses in 2004 to 300 already this year reaching about 7,000 people. Anderson actually hired a certified teacher to teach financial literacy in the Livingston Parish Schools and they are expanding now into East Baton Rouge. Additionally, the credit union has an adult educator who works through community groups and corporate outreach. This person goes out and finds select employee groups to sign up; the credit union has 180 SEGs having added 30 this year. "We're not picky," Anderson said. "Some are as small as two people." Through the National Credit Union Foundation, LA DOTD received a $45,000 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and another federal grant of $45,000 for rural development for first-time homebuyer education. The credit union is also planning to start a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site next year and is working to develop an Individual Development Account program. "We're helping out the underserved and we're growing members." Anderson said. "That's why we're growing our members fast but not our assets." In 2005, LA DOTD experienced 10.4% membership growth and grew its assets 11% in 2004 and 2005, each, and is on track for 14% growth this year. Locally LA DOTD is working with Family Services of Greater Baton Rouge on its "Ways to Work" program. The credit union has committed to making loans of up to $4,000 available for vehicles for low-income people to get to and from school and work. LA DOTD administers Family Services' program and does basic collections, but repossessions are handled by the organization, which vets the borrowers and requires financial literacy courses before they get a loan. Fortunately during Hurricane Katrina last year, LA DOTD did not sustain any damage and just had its Lake Charles office shut down for a week after Rita. In the meantime, LA DOTD became home to St. Bernard Parish School Board Federal Credit Union for about a month and offered up equipment, supplies, and furniture to credit unions in need. LA DOTD had a small contingency of members in the most severely impacted areas and waived loan payments for three months, as well as turning off NSF and overdraft fees after each hurricane. The credit union suffered no losses from these policies other than the potential fee income. "They took care of the negative accounts. They were just happy we were there," Anderson said. Outside of the credit union, Anderson enjoys woodworking and puts his skills to good use making a crib and a cradle for his grandchildren and is currently working on a toy box. He also enjoys traveling with his wife and recently took a cruise all over Europe ending with a couple weeks in Rome. [email protected]