For Immediate Release:
February 23, 2009

For more information, contact:
Francine Patella Ryan
ESL Public Affairs Manager
fpatella@esl.org
585.336.1089 or cell 585.336.1381

ESL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION TRAINING and DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS RECOGNIZED among the NATION’S TOP 125

Local Credit Union ranked 79^th among the country's best organizations for training and development efforts

Rochester, New York... ESL Federal Credit Union was recently recognized by Training magazine as one of the country’s best organizations for its training and development efforts. The national trade publication announced its top 125 training organizations earlier this month at its annual conference in Atlanta. ESL was named number 79. This is the third consecutive year ESL has received this recognition.

This prestigious award honors organizations that stand above their peers in workforce investment. It is one of the most elite rankings in this field.

To be considered for inclusion in the annual listing, companies must complete a lengthy and rigorous questionnaire providing both quantitative and qualitative data - about their organization as a whole, people development strategy and efforts, training programs, best practices, and more. Training magazine's editorial staff then evaluates the information provided and conducts follow-up interviews as appropriate on the many qualitative questions.

"It really is an honor to receive this distinction three years in a row," said Maureen Wolfe, ESL's Vice President/ People and Organization Development Director. "It underscores the fact that ESL is an organization that recognizes the importance of training and continuous development for its employees. This year's application also featured ESL's robust 'Be Well at ESL' programs, reinvigorated recognition program, and our investment in performance management. Winning the award is really recognition of our overall people practices at ESL."

Founded by George Eastman in 1920, ESL Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution with $3.5 billion in assets. ESL employs more than 600 people locally and has more than 290,000 members world-wide. Access to the credit union includes 18 branch locations and more than 40 ATM locations, a Tele-Banking Center, and Internet and online banking channels. The company is headquartered at 100 Kings Highway South in Rochester and can be found on the Internet at www.esl.org.