VIENNA, Va. – The largest credit union in the world reached a milestone no other in the movement has yet to attain. Navy Federal Credit Union became the first credit union ever to reach the $20 billion in assets mark this year. Chartered in 1933 by three civilian Department of Navy employees who pooled together $70 to provide emergency loans to each other, by the end of that year, the credit union had 49 members and $450 in assets. Nearly 60 years later, the credit union has grown to 2.4 million members, 4,000 employees, $20 million in assets and 98 branches worldwide, making it the largest in the nation. President/CEO Brian McDonnell said 100,000 new members are expected to join by the end of 2003. Technology has significantly contributed to Navy's growth, which brings in an average of $2 billion annually, he said.