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Wings Financial to Be Official Credit Union of Organization of Black Airline Pilots

Posted on: Tuesday, 5 February 2008, 09:00 CST

Wings Financial Federal Credit Union today announced that it has been selected by the Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP) as its official credit union. As part of the agreement, Wings Financial and OBAP will jointly market the credit union's financial services to the OBAP membership and will work together on educational outreach efforts to young African Americans considering a career in aviation. Wings Financial has also agreed to sponsor two scholarships that will be awarded annually to participants in the OBAP Professional Pilots Development program.

"For more than 70 years, Wings Financial has been a part of the history of American aviation and understands the financial needs of aviation professionals, particularly as our jobs become more global," said OBAP President Captain Karl Minter. They also understand the importance of preparing young people for a successful future as well as highlighting the exciting opportunities offered by the aviation industry. We're delighted to have them as our official credit union."

"The Organization of Black Airline Pilots has established itself as a leader in creating opportunity within the aviation industry," said Paul Parish, Wings Financial president and chief executive officer. "Their commitment to promoting aviation careers to African Americans and to all people of color fits extremely well with our goal to serve the broad range of the aviation community and to provide them the financial services they need -- where and when they need them. We're honored to deepen our relationship with OBAP and to be their official credit union."

As part of the agreement, Wings Financial will work with OBAP to begin promoting its products and services to OBAP members immediately.

In recent months, Wings Financial has established a broad range of airline partnerships including agreements with five airlines such as JetBlue Airways (June); Sun Country Airlines (July); Colgan Air (September) and Eos Airlines (October).

About Wings Financial

Wings Financial Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Apple Valley, Minnesota, is a member-owned, full-service financial institution founded in 1938. The credit union serves more than 117,000 members around the world and has $1.8 billion in assets. It is the first credit union to be dedicated solely to those working within the air transportation industry in the United States.

About OBAP

The Organization of Black Airline Pilots was founded in 1976 to address the ongoing needs of black pilots by bringing together a representative group of aviation professionals, who were dedicated to advancing and enhancing the participation of blacks and other minorities in the aviation industry.

OBAP has expanded its reach to include ongoing youth and professional career programs designed to insure an ongoing pipeline of minorities prepared for the growing aerospace industry.

OBAP seeks to build on the progress made by other organizations namely, the Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated (military) and Black Wings in Aviation(general aviation), recognizing these are representative of relationships that can significantly enhance the ability to expand opportunities within the industry.

For additional information, go to www.obap.org.

Source: Business Wire

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