APPLE VALLEY, Minn. — The Organization of Black Airline Pilotshas selected Wings Financial Federal Credit Union as its officialcredit union.

As part of the agreement, $1.8 billion Wings Financial and OBAPwill jointly

market the credit union's financial services to the OBAPmembership and will work together on educational outreach effortsto young African-Americans considering a career in aviation. WingsFinancial has also agreed to sponsor two

scholarships that will be awarded annually to participants inthe OBAP Professional Pilots Devel-opment program.

“For more than 70 years, Wings Financial has been a part of thehistory of American aviation and understands the financial needs ofaviation professionals, particularly as our jobs become moreglobal,” said OBAP President Captain Karl Minter. “They alsounderstand the importance of preparing young people for asuccessful future as well as highlighting the excitingopportunities offered by the aviation industry.”

Wings Financial said it would work with OBAP to promote itsproducts and services to OBAP members immediately.

“Their commitment to promoting aviation careers toAfrican-Americans and to all people of color fits extremely wellwith our goal to serve the broad range of the aviation communityand to provide them the financial services they need–where and whenthey need them,” said Paul Parish, president/CEO of Wings Financialon OBAP.

In 2007, Wings Financial formed partnerships with four airlinesto serve their employees: JetBlue Airways, Sun Country Airlines,Colgan Air, and Eos Airlines.

Founded in 1976, OBAP was formed to address the ongoing needs ofblack pilots by bringing together a representative group ofaviation professionals, who were dedicated to advancing andenhancing the participation of blacks and other minorities in theaviation industry, according to the organization.

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