CUShopper Advisory Board Adds Seasoned Credit Union Executives.

Business Editors

GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 10, 2000

CU Executives from Hughes Aircraft Employees FCU and Boeing

Employees as well as Noted Credit Union Attorney to Advise

Organization

CUShopper, a provider of online and direct shopping to credit union members, announced the expansion of its advisory board. Yulandria Pearson, Hughes Aircraft Employees Federal Credit Union; Joseph Brancucci, Boeing Employees Credit Union; and Joseph Melchione, leading credit union attorney, have all accepted board positions with CUShopper. The company strives to be attuned to the needs of credit union members across the United States.

Yulandria Pearson, senior vice president of Lending for the 188,000 member, California-based Hughes Aircraft Employees Federal Credit Union (HAEFCU), oversees the $1.22 billion consumer and real estate loan portfolio for the credit union. She also manages the lending operation. During her tenure at HAEFCU, Pearson has held a variety of management positions and was most recently head of the marketing department.

"I am proud to be associated with an organization that is dedicated to helping credit union members take full advantage of all that their membership offers," Pearson said. "CUShopper has a new and extremely valuable approach to member service. I look forward to being an active participant in helping the company shape its strategic offerings to credit union members in the future."

Chairman of CUShopper Adam Wicks Walker said, "Yulandria brings a high degree of credit union experience and potential to our advisory board. She has dedicated her career to this industry, understands what being a credit union member means and will bring a strong commitment with her to our board at CUShopper."

Joseph Brancucci, with more than 29 years of banking experience, is currently the vice president of Lending and chief lending officer at the Seattle-based Boeing Employees' Credit Union (BECU). BECU, the nation's third largest credit union, serves more than 265,000 members. He has held senior management positions at a community credit union, savings banks and a national bank. Brancucci is also active on advisory boards for CUNA and Fannie Mae.

"The business model CUShopper offers is unique in the emerging e-commerce world," Brancucci explained. "Providing credit union financing to the member at the point-of-sale is a winning strategy that combines competitive retail pricing with outstanding credit terms. Helping members realize what their credit unions can offer them is very important. Often members are not aware of all the potential cost-saving services available. We want to help bring those [services] into the light for everyone."

Attorney, Joe Melchione represents approximately 400 credit unions nationwide. He speaks regularly at conventions and seminars on credit union issues and often represents the credit union industry as a lobbyist in Washington.

"I have hundreds of clients, and they are all involved in e-commerce to varying degrees," Melchione said. "Credit unions have the potential to become major players in the e-commerce arena, and I hope my work on the advisory board will help credit unions realize this."

Walker continued, "Understanding credit unions operationally, philosophically and personally has always been a critical component in our development. We have assembled this Advisory Board to provide a forum where credit union executives help make CUShopper all it can be for our credit union partner network. We are dedicated to the credit union industry and the Advisory Board team we have assembled will strengthen our credit union relationships." CUShopper currently partners with more than 1,700 credit unions nationwide enabling credit union members to purchase computers, home electronics, travel and other goods with highly favorable credit union financing. Products and services are made available on co-branded credit union Web sites and through inserts and direct mail.

About CUShopper, Inc.

CUShopper creates the opportunity for about half the U.S. adult population to take Advantage of non-profit financing for their important purchases. CUShopper's "Better Buying Through Membership" consumer product offers create point-of-sale opportunity for credit unions across popular product categories that leverage the core value proposition of credit union membership--not for profit financing.

Offers are distributed through retail, co-branded on-line shopping sites and direct marketing, incorporated into a multi-channel package. CUShopper provides each credit union's financing with product orders, now available with instant loan approval, allowing credit unions and their members to leverage the leading delivery system for financing: the point of sale. CUShopper.com sites use patent-pending technology to dynamically render each participating credit union's brand, financing terms and rates, providing a customized on-line shopping and e-commerce environment appropriate to each membership group.

For more information, contact CUShopper, Inc. at [phone], write 811 Sonora Ave, Glendale, CA 91201, email [e-mail], or visit www.CUShopper.com.

Editor's Note 

For more information on BECU, call [phone], write PO Box 97050, Seattle, WA 98124-9750, or visit www.becu.org.

For more information on HAEFCU call [phone], write 1440 Rosecrans Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, or visit www.paymaster.org.

For more information on Styskal, Wiese & Melchione LLP call [phone], write 550 North Brand Blvd, Suite 550, Glendale, CA 91203, or visit www.law4cus.com.