Last year was a strong one for the $1.3 billion Truliant Federal Credit Union's mortgage program and it stayed strong through December, the credit union reported.

Truliant, headquartered in Winston Salem, N.C. closed 32% more mortgage loans than it had in December 2008, the CU reported.

"We have continued to be a viable solution for members looking to purchase a home or to refinance an existing mortgage," said Troy Martens, vice president of consumer and real estate lending for Truliant. "Our mortgage department has been very busy in light of the current economy and I think that can be contributed to two main factors: we have very competitive rates and our members know that our goal is to put them in a loan that they can actually afford."

Ryan Shell, marketing communications supervisor for the credit union, said the CU has closed a mixture of both new mortgage loans and refinanced existing loans and that the CU has been helped by reaching out to North Carolina real estate professionals with information about the credit union and its mortgage program.