Employees at TopLine Federal Credit Union Named Statewide Louise Herring Winners

MAPLE GROVE, MN--(Marketwire - Oct 6, 2011) - The employees of TopLine Federal Credit Union have been recognized for extraordinary service to credit union members with the Minnesota statewide Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Award. The award is presented by the Minnesota Credit Union Network and the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and honors credit union employees for their practical application of the credit union philosophy. The Louise Herring Award is awarded for extraordinary internal programs focused on creating services that benefit the credit union's membership.

This year's award recognizes TopLine's commitment to create programs and services to help members become more financially stable, such as the Mortgage Relief Committee whose goal is to keep members struggling with their mortgages in their homes; free financial education seminars for all ages that are hosted year-round on a wide range of topics; partnership with LSS Financial Counseling Service to provide free counseling services to help members proactively deal with stressful financial circumstances; and for efforts in standing ready to assist members of the military and their families.

TopLine's award entry highlighted the success of partnering with Certified Financial Counselors to respond to members' and community needs and desire for relevant financial information. While TopLine provides free financial counseling sessions through LSS Financial Counseling Service to all its members year-round, the newly designed seminar series, "Take Control of Your Finances" brought members and the community together during these challenging economic times to help better manage personal finances. Such topics as understanding your credit score, tips on reducing debt, changing the way you spend and credit and debit card tips were addressed in the seven-part financial education series.

"In 2010 we provided free financial counseling sessions to over 200 members, over 200 people attended our free financial education seminars and over 70 attended our 'Take Control of Your Finances' seminar series," said Harry Carter, president and CEO at TopLine. "In these economic times, our members' and communities' need for financial education is greater than ever and this award is truly a reminder of our employees' dedication to help people become financially healthy."

The Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action award was created in 1990. Award entries are considered based on the size of the credit union and a winner is chosen in each of the six size categories. All statewide winners will advance to the national competition where they will compete with other credit unions from across the country in their respective award and asset categories.

TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota's 13^th largest, with assets of more than $300 million. Established in 1935, TopLine offers a complete line of financial services from its five locations -- in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and in St. Paul's Como Park -- as well as by phone and online at www.TopLinecu.com. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties and their immediate family members.