RALEIGH, N.C. -- Grant and Lee are not only names known for the war between the North and South; Local Government FCU also paid of loans for members Richard Grant and Kelly Lee.

Six months after launching a loan contest to reassure borrowers that now is a good time to take out a loan with a responsible, stable lender, LGFCU has paid off Grant's $14,555.13 vehicle loan for a Ford F350 in full and Lee's personal loan of $1,970.31.

The contest, which ran from May 15 through Oct. 31, 2008, was open to those who secured personal, automobile (new and used), motorcycle, boat, recreational vehicle, computer, or credit card loans, or home equity line of credit. The contest also extended to those who refinanced from another financial institution. It excluded mortgages and Salary Advance Loans.

"I think this contest was a great way to reward those members for trusting us with their finances during these troubled economic times, and we are pleased we could remove the burden of an entire loan payment for two of them," said LGFCU President Maurice Smith.