RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. – U.S. Central Credit Union, WesCorp,and CUNA Mutual have signed on as corporate sponsors for the firstof its kind America's Credit Union booth exhibit at the 2004National Automobile Dealers Association Convention that will beheld Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2004 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Theevent, which is considered the automotive industry's premier eventof the year, is expected to draw more than 28,000 auto industryleaders, an estimated 41% of whom will be dealer principles. The 30feet X 50 feet booth was developed by Credit Union Direct Corp.working with Callahan and Associates and representatives from someof the leading auto lending CUs in the U.S. It uses the America'sCredit Unions brand and the theme “90 Million Reasons Why.” It'sintended to demonstrate the cooperative strength of credit unionsand their 90 million members, increase awareness of credit unionsamong car manufacturers and dealerships, and help develop strongpartnerships with auto dealers throughout the U.S. As corporatesponsors for the event, U.S. Central, WesCorp and CUNA Mutual willprovide financial and promotional support for the 53 CUs from 22states that will participate at the convention. “Auto lending is acore business for credit unions, and therefore, establishing alarger presence with dealers is a benefit for members and thecredit union industry as a whole,” said U.S. Central President/CEODan Kampen. Robert Siravo, president/CEO, WesCorp, concurred andadded that, “By working together at this event, credit unions candemonstrate the strength of the credit union network and theimportant impact 80 million qualified auto buying members have onthe auto industry.” “We believe the NADA Convention is an idealopportunity to raise the visibility and credibility of the creditunion industry, as well as develop a strong rapport with automanufacturers and dealers from around the country,” said CUNAMutual's Jeff Ramos, vp/senior marketing officer.