For Immediate Release:
October 18, 2011

For more information, contact:
Francine Patella Ryan
ESL Public Affairs Manager
fpatella@esl.org
585.336.1089 or 585.261.6220 (cell)

ESL Federal Credit Union Named One of 2011 Best Small and Medium Workplaces in America

Second Consecutive Year Locally-Owned Credit Union Named to List

Rochester, N.Y. — ESL Federal Credit Union was ranked as one of the 2011 Best Small and Medium Workplaces in America by the Great Place to Work^® Institute. The announcement was made this morning through the Great Place to Work^® Rankings: 2011 Best Small & Medium Workplaces presented by Entrepreneur^®.

This annual list represents the best workplaces separated into two categories: small companies with 25-249 employees; and medium companies with 250-999 employees. This is the second consecutive year the locally-owned credit union entered the competition and was named to the list. ESL ranked 16th in the medium-sized company category — one of only three companies in New York State to make the "50 Best" list.

Great Place to Work^® based in San Francisco, produces the Best Small and Medium Workplaces list each year. Submissions from hundreds of top small and medium companies, across an array of industries nationwide, entered into the rigorous competition. As a result of a randomly selected survey of 600 employees last fall, ESL advanced to the final round and was invited to submit a comprehensive cultural audit. After a thorough review of ESL's culture and people practices, the Great Place to Work^® Institute narrowed the list down to the 50 Best in America — 25 small-sized companies and 25 medium-sized companies.

"We are pleased to receive this honor for a second consecutive year," said David L. Fiedler, President and CEO. "We believe this reflects the importance we place on our workplace practices and in building a unique employee-focused culture. Our strategy is built on delivering a superior experience for our members and, we believe that depends on creating a superior employee experience."

The Great Place to Work^® Institute evaluated ESL based on five areas; credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie. The Institute's methodology measures the level of trust that exists between employees and management, the pride employees express about the company and the camaraderie employees share.

Great Place to Work^® Institute, Inc., has been studying and identifying best companies for more than 25 years. Great Place to Work^® Institute's proprietary methodology and assessment tools examine the level of trust at an organization.

Marking its 11-year anniversary, Entrepreneur.com has evolved into the most widely used website by entrepreneurs and leaders in business worldwide. As the leading small business website on the Internet, Entrepreneur.com serves its visitors' needs by creating the most satisfying experience with relevant content, logical information management and ease of access.

Founded by George Eastman in 1920, ESL Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution with $3.8 billion in assets. Access to the credit union includes 19 branch locations and more than 40 ATM locations, a Contact Center, and Internet and online banking channels. The company is headquartered at 225 Chestnut Street, in Rochester, and can be found on the Internet at esl.org.

Please note: The complete list of medium companies recognized in the competition can be found at: http://www.entrepreneur.com/gptw/medium