FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Sandra Citrigno
Meriwest Credit Union
Direct Line: (408) 365-6383/ Cell: (408) 887-3833

Meriwest Credit Union Names Ritu Bhalla Financial Center Manager

SAN JOSE, Calif., November 7, 2005 -- Meriwest Credit Union, one of Silicon Valley's largest financial institutions, has named Ritu Bhalla Financial Center Manager for Meriwest Credit Union’s Milpitas Financial Center. Ms. Bhalla is responsible for managing a team of financial service professionals to deliver strong sales and member service results.

“We are very excited to have Ritu join our team and I am confident that she will do a great job in servicing the Milpitas community, “ said Maria Sanchez, Assistant Vice President of Financial Centers.

Prior to working for Meriwest, Ms. Bhalla worked for US Bank in Los Altos as a Branch Manager. She was responsible for managing a team of seven employees and worked closely with Investment and Business Development teams to expand and acquire new business by promoting bank products through outside sales calls, tabling seminars and telemarketing.

Ms. Bhalla also worked for CalFed Bank as a Customer Service Associate II and was then promoted to a Personal Banker. She maintained customer relationships and was responsible to cross-sell and open new business, personal accounts, loans, credit cards and safe deposit boxes.

Ms. Bhalla has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, English and Modern History.

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.