TACOMA, Wash. — Throughout the 1990s, Sound Credit Union's investment program languished as it tried to find its fit with members and employees who weren't totally convinced about promoting products and services that they felt weren't in the best interests of the membership.

That's how Denise Reagan surmised it. Reagan, executive vice president/chief operating officer, who has been at the $375 million CU for 25 years, has witnessed the highs and lows. And, it wasn't due to a deficiency of effort from Sound to build the investment program.

"The trust or lack thereof with prior programs and prior reps were some of the obstacles," Reagan said. "A lot of our employees are long-term employees. They value the members' ownership. If they don't feel [certain products and services] are best for members, they won't push them."