Insight Financial Credit Union, Orlando, Fla., awarded the 2008 mission accomplished and mission leadership awards at the credit union's annual employee appreciation dinner. Oswaldo Nieves was presented with the 2008 mission accomplished award. Nieves joined Insight Financial in 2007 and serves as a senior money coach in the Downtown Orlando branch. Gara Hudson was presented with the 2008 mission leadership award. Hudson joined Insight Financial in 2001 and serves as branch manager at the South Orlando branch.

Keesler Federal Credit Union, Biloxi, Miss., has earned Bauer Financial Inc.'s highest five-star superior rating for financial strength and stability. Bauer Financial has been analyzing and reporting on the nation's banking industry for over 25 years. Ratings are based on the overall financial picture of the credit union. Keesler Federal Credit Union was established in 1947 and has been serving the needs of its members for 62 years.

Wauna Federal Credit Union, Clatskanie, Ore., selected Melissa Pratt as employee of the quarter. In these economic times, Melissa has helped members restructure their loans to keep credit ratings favorable and keep their homes and cars. The employee of the quarter is recognized at an all team meeting, receives a gift basket and chooses between an extra paid day off or $100.

AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union, Mechanicsburg, Pa., announced that two of its employees have been awarded the president's volunteer service bronze award. Carol Fastrich Aranos, vice president of marketing, and Toni Montgomery, community relations manager, were recognized for their involvement with Junior Achievement of South Central Pennsylvania. Both Fastrich and Montgomery volunteered 105 hours with the organization by teaching financial literacy and work readiness programs in classrooms this past school year.
Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, Philadelphia, was honored with two merit awards from the CUNA's Marketing and Business Development Council at the council's annual Diamond Awards conference. PFCU won one award for its new member matrix mailing and one for its “Moneyline” newsletter.

Columbia Credit Union, Vancouver, Wash., was voted best financial institution in The Columbian's annual best of Clark County reader poll. Additionally, the credit union was honored by Clark County and the city of Vancouver with a community pride design award for its Washougal LEED gold certified branch. Established in 1952, Columbia Credit Union has more than $750 million in assets and 12 Clark County, Wash. locations.

Credit Union of Georgia, Dallas, Ga., announced that Business Development Representative Jennifer Kamin was awarded the 2008 ambassador of the year award at the Paulding County Chamber of Commerce's annual awards celebration. Chamber ambassadors serve as liaisons between the chamber and its members by helping the chamber gain a better understanding of members' business needs and developing services to meet those needs.

E1 Financial Credit Union, Monterey Park, Calif., was presented with a plaque of appreciation from Casa Cultural at a celebration of the program's fourth anniversary. Casa Cultural is an arts and culture program for the children of the East Los Angeles area. E1 Financial has supported Casa Cultural by providing the children with exhibition space for their artwork at its East Los Angeles branch.