PRESS RELEASE UPDATE
May 27, 2003

WEST COAST CREDIT UNIONS PARTNER WITH BALANCE
Financial Fitness Program to Ease CU Members' Money Woes

May 27, 2003, San Francisco, CA: Telesis Community, Chevron Valley, Sacramento, Peninsula Postal, San Francisco Federal and Merced School Employees Federal credit unions now share a vital commonality: a BALANCE Financial Fitness Program partnership. Though each has a unique membership base, all are committed to offering their members financial education and assistance - before it's too late.

"We have so many members in need of financial counseling, budgeting, and assistance in planning for their financial future, we are thrilled to have partnered with BALANCE," said Nancy Devours, CEO of Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union. "We have had members asking for help…the fact that everything is confidential is a big plus!"

San Francisco- based BALANCE provides financial education and counseling programs to partnering credit unions nationwide. Services include money management and housing counseling, a debt repayment plan, credit report review, and a toll-free information line - all free to members.

The need for such programs is growing. As of March 31, 2003, personal bankruptcies increased by 7.1 percent, reaching record highs. And the west coast has been hit with economic slowdowns in virtually every major sector. Recent high levels of indebtedness coupled with income reductions has led to financial difficulties for countless Americans.

"Proactive money management services not only have the power to offset bankruptcy discharge losses, but to also increase revenue and attract and maintain membership" said Jack Rinaldini, regional sales manager for BALANCE, "the recent influx of BALANCE partnerships points to credit unions recognizing the benefit of early intervention services. Many credit unions are now approaching us for programs that can help their members through hard times - and keep them during the good times."

Contact: Jeannine Moore,
800-808-4327 Ext 124
jmoore@balancepro.org