DENVER – CU Direct Connect's dealer-relations staff, which includes dealer account managers, sales managers, director of operations and several operations managers, have all received Association of Financial & Insurance Professionals Certification. AFIP is the sanctioning body for in-dealership financial services personnel in the U.S. The certification program, recommended by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), is a college-level continuing education curriculum designed to ensure a high level of competency of the state and federal regulations concerning the solicitation and sale of vehicle funding and owner protection options. In Aug. 2005, CU Direct Connect contracted with AFIP to certify the company's dealer-relations staff. After completing the required tests, they were certified on Oct. 24. CU Direct Connect is an indirect lending CUSO owned by 56 CUs.