ARLINGTON, Va. – NAFCU has selected the recipients of its 2008 Cornerstone Awards. 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 selected the winners on the basis of a written essay on how attendance at the meeting will benefit them. Judges also took 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.

“This news means a lot to me; this just made my day,” Walker said. “The timing of this award could not have been better! I really appreciate this.”

Carter will be attending NAFCU's 27th Annual Volunteers Conference, which will be held May 22-24 on Marco Island in Florida. Carter said that her selection will provide her with the “opportunity to network with other credit union volunteers and discuss better ways to give our members at the Securityplus Federal Credit Union a more efficient service culture they deserve.”

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

“We believe that education is the cornerstone of continued success in the credit union industry,” said NAFCU President Fred Becker. “We are pleased to provide these deserving individuals with a learning opportunity that stands to benefit their professional development and the members they serve.”