FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Sandra Citrigno
(408) 365-6383
scitrigno@meriwest.com

Meriwest Credit Union Deposits Funds into Children’s Accounts For Their Creations of Art

SAN JOSE, Calif., December 5, 2005 – Meriwest Credit Union, one of Silicon Valley’s largest financial institutions, has awarded cash prizes to children who won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in its 2005 Annual Holiday Card Contest.

Sudipiti Singh of Kent, Washington won first place in her age group of 3-10 years old and was awarded $50. Also, Alisha Deshmukh of Cupertino, Ca. won first place in her age group of 11-18 years old and will be awarded $100. Both first place entries will be used as Meriwest’s holiday cards for 2005.

Six others finished in second and third place depending on their age group. The second place winners are Amanda Bunn and Stephanie Richardson both residents of San Jose, Ca. The third place winners are Jessica Poon, a resident of Morgan Hill, Ca., Michaela, a resident of San Jose, Ca, Caitlyn Opulencia, a resident of San Jose, Ca. and Rachel Bentley, a resident of Tucson, AZ.

The children were asked to send in a drawing of a holiday scene and a panel of judges evaluated each entry according to imagination, creativity and execution.

"Awarding cash prizes and recognizing the first place entries to these children is one way to continue supporting the communities we serve," said Sandra Citrigno, Corporate Communications Specialist of Meriwest Credit Union. "I enjoy working on this project each year and seeing all of the art the children send to us. We are proud to provide these children with an opportunity to earn money and get them off to a good start in saving for their financial future, as well as enjoy the benefits of banking with Meriwest."

About Meriwest Credit Union
As an established and proactive full-service financial institution, Meriwest is dedicated to making life easier for businesses and families in the San Francisco Bay Area and Tucson, Arizona through personal, convenient and innovative financial services. More information can be found at www.meriwest.com.