ARLINGTON, Va. — Stacey Walker, a director at XCEL Federal Credit Union, and Noma Carter, a director at Securityplus Federal Credit Union, have been named the recipients of NAFCU's 2008 Cornerstone Award.

NAFCU established the awards in 2005 to provide members of the African-American Credit Union Coalition with the opportunity to attend, free of charge, one of three association conferences (Volunteers Conference, CEOs Conference, or Strategic Growth & Lending) or the NAFCU Regulatory Compliance School.

AACUC and NAFCU officials select the winners on the basis of a written essay on how attendance at the meeting will benefit them. Judges also take into consideration the financial status of an applicant's credit union–meaning judges look at whether the credit union lacks the funds, because of budget constraints or size, to send the applicant to the conference or school.

Walker has chosen to attend the Strategic Growth & Lending Conference, which will be held March 11-14 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Carter will be attending NAFCU's 27th Annual Volunteers Conference, which will be held May 22-24 on Marco Island in Florida.

Both will also receive a free, one-year subscription to The Federal Credit Union, NAFCU's bimonthly magazine.