RANCHO CUCAMONGA. Calif. – CU Direct Lending recently announced the winners of its best practices awards for 2004. Awards were presented in two areas – best practices in operations and best practices in educating members – in each of three asset groups: $100 million or less, $101-$600 million, and $601 million and over. For the first time in CU Direct's six-year history of presenting best practices awards, there was a tie for first place. In the $601-million plus asset group, both Redwood CU and Washington State Employees CU won for best practices in operations. In the same asset group, Oregon Community CU won for best practices in educating members. In the $101 million-$600 million asset group, the winner for best practices in operations was Southland CU. Tucoemas FCU won for best practices in educating members. In the last asset group – $0-$100 million – the winner for best practices in operations was Cambridge Portuguese CU, and for best practices in educating members was Fred Meyer CU. Commenting on the winners, CU Direct SVP and COO Jerry Neemann said, "Nothing is more inspiring than a good success story, and we have been impressed with the sophistication and focus of the winning programs." Award entrants were required to have a minimum of one full year on the CUDL platform.