UKIAH, Calif. – All four branches of Mendo Lake Credit Union experienced exceptional growth in 2012, the credit union’s chief executive officer reported during the 54th annual meeting of staff, directors and members. In addition, elections of board members and a supervisory committee member were conducted.

Board of Directors Chair Cameron Reeves, Vice Chair Robert Scott and directors Karen Christopherson and Larry Myers were reelected to their respective positions. Madeline Holtkamp was elected to the board’s supervisory committee.

“We are grateful and honored for the continued support of our members and the communities that we serve,” MLCU President/Chief Executive Officer Richard Cooper said in his annual report for 2012.

More than $31.2 million in new loans were granted during the year. The credit union added more than 2,000 members in its Clearlake branch since opening in 2011.

Total assets reported between Dec. 31, 2011, and Dec. 31, 2012, grew from $117 million to $127 million, according to figures published in the MLCU Annual Report.

The number of members increased from 16,443 to 18,528. Additional accomplishments for the year included strengthening MLCU’s partnerships with automobile dealers in Lake and Mendocino counties, making it even easier for members to obtain MLCU financing direct at local dealerships. MLCU also upgraded its entire ATM network and added a new offsite ATM location in Upper Lake, Cooper noted.

Cooper thanked the volunteer board members, supervisory/audit committee members and staff for providing “caring professional financial services” to MLCU members on a daily basis. During 2012, MLCU was recognized by the state of California for its dedication to volunteering in the communities it serves, receiving the Governor’s Volunteering and Service Award for the State of California.

This award acknowledged MLCU’s ongoing efforts toward community collaboration and volunteerism as well as its employees who contributed more than 450 hours of time and talent to local organizations. MLCU was nominated for the award by community partner, North Coast Opportunities.

Mendo Lake Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative and has been serving members’ financial needs since 1959. MLCU branches are located in Lakeport, Clearlake, Fort Bragg and Ukiah.