Seattle-based Watermark Credit Union Receives Prestigious Award from Washington State Psychological Association
Seattle, Washington..............................January 16, 2008

Watermark Credit Union is excited to announce that it won an award in 2007 from the Washington State Psychological Association as a Psychologically Healthy Workplace. Nominated by one of the credit union's consultants, Watermark was closely scrutinized to see if it merited an award in any of five categories: employee involvement, work-life balance, employee growth and development, health and safety, and employee recognition.

After a rigorous screening and evaluation process, the WSPA determined that Watermark Credit Union had won in all five areas. Brent Evans, executive vice president of operations, accepted the honor at a ceremony in Tacoma in October. Watermark Credit Union President and CEO Chuck Cockburn attributes the company's success to two primary philosophies: Dr. Deming's quality management principles and a gainsharing program developed in conjunction with the Scanlon Leadership Network, in which teamwork is rewarded rather than individual successes.

Cockburn implemented Dr. Deming's principles when he came to the credit union nearly seven years ago. Since then, he and the credit union team have built on those principles to form a collaborative, teamwork-centered environment. In addition, the credit union encourages feedback from its employees. In the last two years, the credit union has implemented more than 200 suggestions from employees.

"We didn't create our culture for the purpose of winning this award," said Sabrina Stabbert, vice president of operations, "But it affirms what we've been working on and dedicating ourselves to from a management perspective for the last seven years. The recognition means a lot."

In addition to this award, Watermark Credit Union has been named one of the best places to work by both Washington CEO and Seattle Business Monthly magazines.

"It's a journey of continuous improvement," Stabbert said. "That's what we're really striving for."

For more information about Watermark Credit Union, please contact Sherry Lotze, vice president of marketing, at 206-381-6542 or slotze@watermarkcu.org or visit the company's Web site at www.watermarkcu.org.