Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, St. Paul, Minn., was chosenas the winner of the 2008 Minnesota business ethics award. This wasthe first time Affinity Plus was nominated and chose as the winnerof the prestigious, statewide award. The Minnesota business ethicsaward was established in 1999 by the Twin Cities Chapter of theSociety of Financial Service Professionals and the Center forEthical Business Cultures at the University of St. Thomas. Therewere over 26 small, mid-size and large companies that were enteredfor the award in 2008. Affinity Plus was chosen as the only awardwinner in the mid-size business category.

Redstone Federal Credit Union, Huntsville, Ala., was honored bythe Interfaith Mission Service. Redstone was one of nine businessesand individuals recognized at the organizations annual awardsbanquet. The banquet serves as a fundraiser for the organizationthat fosters understanding among the various faiths and cultures towork across boundaries to improve life for people of allbackgrounds. The awards recognized work in the areas of tolerance,understanding, justice and relieving suffering. Redstone washonored for serving as a model for how a business can support thecommunities it serves.

E1 Financial Credit Union, Monterey Park, Calif., sponsored theCrystal Youth's young partners award for the fifth year. E1presented a special trophy, cash and certificate awards to threelocal students in recognition for their achievements in communityvolunteerism. E1's Community Relations Liaison Dennis Gutierrezpresented the youth partners awards to Jessica Chan, CarolineNguyen and Virginia Tan. In his address to the audience, Gutierrezcongratulated the evening's honorees for theiraccomplishments.
Desert Valleys Federal Credit Union, Ridgecrest, Calif., wasawarded the 2007-2008 recipient of the business of the year awardfrom the Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce. The award is presentedeach year to the business deemed to have done the most to growtheir business while contributing to the overall community. DesertValleys' was recognized for having growth of more than 12% in oneyear and holding, sponsoring or supporting community events such asStar Wars-Wine Walk and the Ridgecrest Casino Night.