Contact: Bruce Lund, America's Christian CU, 626-208-5400 ext 5555 or 5411, blund@americasccu.com 

GLENDORA, Calif., Jan. 27, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Robert S. Bernard, Vice President of Lending at America's Christian Credit Union, will retire on January 31st after 33 years of service. He was among the credit union's longest serving employees at the time of retirement.

Mr. Bernard, known as "Bob" to staff, provided an extraordinary commitment of service, vision and leadership to ACCU's lending services. Mr. Bernard had his hand in all of the lending programs for over three decades and helped create the fair, comprehensive and service-minded lending culture that ACCU enjoys. Under his steady leadership, Mr. Bernard and the credit union's lending team engineered the transition from closed-end lending with three loan products when he began at ACCU to open-end lending, lines of credit, credit cards, adoption loans, real estate lending, and ministry lending currently offered to membership. This has resulted in remarkable success for ACCU's numerous credit products, with strong positive reviews from examiners and government agencies. He has often been consulted as a lending and policy expert by others in the field.
 
President/CEO Mendell L. Thompson hosted a retirement celebration that involved the board of directors, staff, and members of Bob's family. Congratulations and accolades poured in from all over the country from staff and colleagues both past and present. In a speech Mr. Bernard reflected on his early days with the credit union with just nine employees, and how excitement filled the team as they hit new milestones in lending within the industry.  "It has been a privilege to see the credit union grow throughout the years ... God has blessed our company."
 
Upon retirement, Mr. Bernard will return occasionally to ACCU as a consultant on key elements of policy. He will devote the rest of his retirement to travel and spending time with friends and family. President/CEO Thompson concludes, "I am grateful he is willing to act as a valuable resource for ACCU with the intellectual capital that he has acquired over the 33 years. Bob is a respected colleague and a dear friend, and we wish him the best in this well-earned season of his life."

About America's Christian Credit Union
Open for business Monday through Saturday, America's Christian CU proudly serves people and ministries aligned with the Wesleyan tradition. Founded in 1958 and currently managing about $500 million in assets, ACCU is a full-service financial institution providing solutions that empower its members to achieve their individual, family, or ministry goals.  For additional information, visit www.americaschristiancu.com.