TAMPA, Fla. – MEMBERS Trust Co. has promoted John Largent to chief investment officer. Largent joined MEMBERS Trust in 2004 as senior investment officer. He has more than 20 years of financial services experience and holds an undergraduate degree in Finance/Banking and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Arkansas, Sam M. Walton College of Business. "Investment management is the cornerstone of a trust operation," said Tom Walker, president/CEO, MEMBERS Trust Co. "MEMBERS Trust Company is fortunate to have John in this key role." Largent is a career professional in investment management and strategy, holding CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) and CFPr (Certified Financial Planner) designations and also earned the Charter Advisor in Philanthropy designation in 2004. MEMBERS Trust Company is the nation's first independent national trust company owned by credit unions and credit union entities. In 2003, the company converted to a federal thrift, chartered by the Office of Thrift Supervision, enabling it to offer trust services to credit union members across the United States. CUNA Mutual Group, along with Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union formed the company and are founding shareholders. March Saw 33% Cash, Investments in Credit Unions' Portfolios, CUNA Mutual Reports MADISON, Wis. – Surplus funds at credit unions stood at $225.3 billion at the end of March, up 4.4% for the year. According to the CUNA Mutual Group's March 2005 Credit Union Trends Report, first quarter deposit inflows were stronger and loan demand was off due to seasonal factors, reported Dave Colby, chief economist for CUNA Mutual. Currently, 33% of all assets are in surplus funds, down from 36% in March 2004. "Looking at relative size, surplus funds equal 52% of total loans," Colby said. "Given all the work we put into growing loans, shouldn't we pay at least half as much attention to maximizing investment returns?" Over the past year, surplus funds were down $6.3 billion (2.7%), according to the report. This reflects loan portfolio increases in excess of asset growth and a rising loan-to-share ratio, Colby said. "In an era where every basis point is critical, a greater focus on boosting the returns on one third of all assets will offset some lending spread compression and help preserve ROAs from eroding further," Colby offered.