MIAMI - CUNA Mutual Group presented its Excellence in LendingAwards on the opening day of its 2005 CUNA Lending CouncilConference to four credit unions in recognition of theiroutstanding lending programs. Receiving the awards in the consumercategory were: * less than $250 million in assets - Heritage FCU,Rutland, Vt., $116 million in assets, 20,000 members. Itimplemented a risk-based lending system and a sales-and-serviceculture in 2004. The CU set a goal of 15% consumer loan growth for2004 and exceeded that with a 35.9% combined increase in auto andrecreational vehicle loans, HELOCs, and credit cards. The CU saw a34.3% increase in used-car loans, most of which the CU said wastaken from competitors. Heritage's HELOC volume grew nearly 55% in2004 * more than $250 million in assets -BECU, Tukwila, Wash., $5.2billion, 422,000 members. The CU attributed a risk-based pricingprogram, simplified indirect auto loan decisioning, and theintroduction of a HELOC that members can convert into separateclosed-end, fixed rate loans, to seeing its consumer loans increase"dramatically" in 2004. New-auto loan volume increased almost 103%.In the mortgage lending category, the winners were: * less than$250 million in assets - MCAS Beaufort FCU, Beaufort, S.C.'soverall home equity volume in 2004 was up 31.3%, compared to anaverage growth of 13.9% among other CUs of similar asset size.Outstanding balances on HELOCs grew 26.8%, compared to 13.3% forits peer group, and MCAS Beaufort's total real estate loan growthfor 2004 was 25.5% * more than $250 million in assets -MunicipalEmployees CU of Baltimore, Md. The CU works closely with itslargest sponsor, the city of Baltimore, to help improve the qualityof life of the city's population through home ownership, and MECUbudgeted for a 7% increase in mortgage growth in 2004. To helpachieve and ultimately exceed its goal, MECU offered a simplifiedHELOC process to all qualifying first mortgage applications. Theinitiative generated $16 million above its budget, for a 9.8%increase over 2003. Outstanding HELOC balances increased 33.6% in2004. Four credit unions receive Excellence in Lending Awardsannually, two each in consumer and mortgage lending for CUs withless than $250 million in assets and those with more.