TopLine Takes Top Financial Education Honors

MAPLE GROVE, MN--(Marketwire - September 16, 2009) - The Minnesota Credit Union Network (MNCUN) and the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) have awarded TopLine Federal Credit Union first place in Minnesota (for credit unions with $250M and more in assets) for the Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award. The entry will move to national competition later this month.

The Desjardins Award recognizes leadership within the credit union movement relating to youth financial literacy education initiatives, and all activities supporting personal finance education of all youth, whether members or non-members.

TopLine's winning entry is its trademarked youth financial literacy series, Get Smart With Your Money™, an ongoing initiative to encourage kids and their parents to talk about spending, saving, and sharing their money wisely. TopLine's three targeted curricula, Building Dreams (ages 5-8), Dollar Power (ages 9-13), Dollars & Sense (ages 14-18) are offered on a regular basis at the credit union's Maple Grove Learning Center.

In addition, TopLine regularly volunteers at local elementary and high schools, and community colleges to teach the importance of financial literacy skills.

"Our youngest generation needs active guidance in financial literacy," says Harry Carter, president and CEO, TopLine Federal Credit Union. "TopLine works with students in the communities that we serve, to underscore the importance of essential financial literacy skills. And we're very honored to be recognized by MNCUN and CUNA for our efforts."

The youth financial literacy sessions cover everything from learning to balance needs and wants; building a budget; setting financial goals; building, maintaining and using credit wisely; to understanding a credit score and investing. The sessions are interactive with thought-provoking questions and the use of real-life examples to show how actions today can have an impact on financial options in the future.

The award is named in honor of Alphonse Desjardins, the founder of the North American credit union movement, who founded the first caisse populaire, or people's bank, in Quebec, Canada, in 1900. Desjardins helped establish the first American credit union in New Hampshire in 1909, and throughout his life was an ardent believer in the value of teaching children to save.

TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota's 13th largest, with assets of more than $260 million. Established in 1935, TopLine offers a complete line of financial services from its headquarters in Maple Grove, and five branch offices located in Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Edina, Maple Grove and Plymouth, 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.

Contact Information: CONTACT: Vicki Erickson Director of Marketing TopLine Federal Credit Union verickson@toplinecu.com 763.391.0872