Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, St. Paul, Minn., was chosenas the winner of the 2008 Minnesota business ethics award. This wasthe first time Affinity Plus was nominated and chose as the winnerof the prestigious, statewide award. The Minnesota business ethicsaward was established in 1999 by the Twin Cities Chapter of theSociety of Financial Service Professionals and the Center forEthical Business Cultures at the University of St. Thomas. Therewere over 26 small, mid-size and large companies that were enteredfor the award in 2008. Affinity Plus was chosen as the only awardwinner in the mid-size business category.

Redstone Federal Credit Union, Huntsville, Ala., was honored bythe Interfaith Mission Service. Redstone was one of nine businessesand individuals recognized at the organizations annual awardsbanquet. The banquet serves as a fundraiser for the organizationthat fosters understanding among the various faiths and cultures towork across boundaries to improve life for people of allbackgrounds. The awards recognized work in the areas of tolerance,understanding, justice and relieving suffering. Redstone washonored for serving as a model for how a business can support thecommunities it serves.

E1 Financial Credit Union, Monterey Park, Calif., sponsored theCrystal Youth's young partners award for the fifth year. E1presented a special trophy, cash and certificate awards to threelocal students in recognition for their achievements in communityvolunteerism. E1's Community Relations Liaison Dennis Gutierrezpresented the youth partners awards to Jessica Chan, CarolineNguyen and Virginia Tan. In his address to the audience, Gutierrezcongratulated the evening's honorees for theiraccomplishments.
Desert Valleys Federal Credit Union, Ridgecrest, Calif., wasawarded the 2007-2008 recipient of the business of the year awardfrom the Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce. The award is presentedeach year to the business deemed to have done the most to growtheir business while contributing to the overall community. DesertValleys' was recognized for having growth of more than 12% in oneyear and holding, sponsoring or supporting community events such asStar Wars-Wine Walk and the Ridgecrest Casino Night.

EECU, Fort Worth, Texas, was voted the winner of the 2008readers' choice awards as the best local bank/credit union inTarrant County by The Star-Telegram newspaper. The winners werechosen by Star-Telegram readers who voted in a variety ofcategories to share opinions and spotlight the businesses andindividuals they rely on.

Matadors Community Credit Union, Chatsworth, Calif., was awardedthe 2008 L.A. Daily News readers choice award for the bestbank/credit union. Daily News readers throughout L.A. voted over amonth-long period for their favorite financial institutions.

Langley Federal Credit Union, Newport News, Va., announced thatBarbara Taylor, tax office manager of the credit union's whollyowned subsidiary Langley Financial Services, was awarded theenrolled agent of the year award. The award was presented by theVirginia Society of Enrolled Agents during its annual conference.Taylor served on the Virginia Society of Enrolled Agents' Board ofDirectors of the Hampton Roads Chapter and as president from2003-2007. She has managed the Langley tax office for the past fouryears.
FedChoice Federal Credit Union, Lanham, Md., announced that GailSanders, membership ambassador for the credit union, was presentedthe essential piece award at the 2008 installation of officers andawards ceremony luncheon for Federal Employed Women. Sandersreceived the award on behalf of the positive and importantrelationship FedChoice has developed with the Federal TriangleChapter of Federal Employed Women. FedChoice was also honored byFederal Employed Women on a national level with the 2008 privatesector award at the 39th national training program. Theprivate-sector award recognizes an organization in the privatesector that has shown exemplary service to Federal Employed Women.This year 72 organizations were nominated for the award.

Ent Federal Credit Union, Colorado Springs, Colo., wasrecognized as a leader in seven categories by The Colorado SpringsBusiness Journal. ENT was recognized as the best credit union,commercial lender and best ad campaign for its 50th anniversarycampaign. ENT was also recognized as a runner-up for best largecompany with the most promising future, best business to support alocal charity, best business bank and Ent President/CEO CharlesEmmer was named runner-up for best local CEO.

Pen Air Federal Credit Union, Pensacola, Fla., was recognized bythe U.S. Local Business Association as Robertsdale's top creditunion for 2008. The USLBA's best of local businesses award programrecognizes local business that have achieved success in marketingand customer satisfaction. Votes for the awards program aresubmitted annual by member survey. This year the USLBA reportedthat a record number of surveys were submitted.