Concerned with a dramatic drop in employment in the airtransportation industry, Wings Financial Federal Credit Union hasasked its members to vote on converting to a state-chartered creditunion in an effort to expand its footprint.

In an online letter (www.wingsfinancial.com) the $2.1 billionApple Valley, Minn.-based credit union said employment in the airtransportation industry is down 24% since 2001. Wings Financialsaid by converting to a state charter, it would open membership upto the 13 county Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota area. Nearly 50%of its 125,000 members live or work in the two metropolitanregions. Wings Financial was chartered in 1938 to serve NorthwestAirlines.

Wings Financial mailed out ballots to members, which were dueback by Aug. 27. The state charter application has been approved byboth the state of Minnesota and the NCUA, Wings Financial said. Thevote to convert requires a count of all mail and in-person ballotscast.