SACU celebrated the culmination of its 74th year of service to members in a meeting held at the Witte Museum. The annual meeting's theme - Solid. Safe. Secure. Your Credit Union - reflects SACU's continued position in its industry, which is reassuring in light of current economic challenges.

SACU leaders reported that the credit union's assets at year end 2008 reached an all-time high of just under $2.7 billion, which represents a growth rate of 13 percent over assets recorded at the end of 2007. Loan production grew by almost 16 percent over SACU's 2007 portfolio, to top $2.5 billion. Even in a low-rate environment, SACU continued to pay its depositors top-of-the-market rates in 2008. SACU members re-elected John W. Hayes, Samuel Idrogo and Pat L. Wilson to serve three-year terms on the board of directors.

SACU also gave special recognition to W. John Soper (Brigadier General USAF Ret) who brought distinctive leadership and moral courage to SACU during a critical period of its history spanning two decades. General Soper recently retired from SACU volunteer service after serving on the board of directors and as an officer of the board during the period from 1990 until his retirement in 2008.

Chairman Pat Wilson said of General Soper, "John Soper is a man of quiet demeanor, but by his mere presence he commands respect and honor and conviction . . . a rare individual who makes us all better citizens and proud to be associated with him."