For Immediate Release:
December 1, 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 Recognized as One of Rochester's Best

Rochester, New York... Once again ESL Federal Credit Union ranks as one of Rochester's best. Readers of both the Democrat and Chronicle and City newspapers recently voted ESL their favorite place to bank in Rochester.

On Sunday, Nov. 27, the Democrat and Chronicle announced the official winners of the 2011 Rochester's Choice Awards. And for the 10th consecutive year, ESL was tops in the "favorite bank / trust company" category. ESL has held this top spot every year since the inception of the awards in 2002. In addition, earlier this fall, City newspaper announced its "Best of Rochester 2011" Readers' Choice awards. Again, ESL claimed the title in the "best local bank / credit union" category.

"At a time when there is significant change in the local banking market, these awards help distinguish ESL even more from our competition," said ESL Federal Credit Union Vice President/ Marketing Director Celeste Kier. "Many members and non-members alike view these awards as a local 'seal of approval.' The fact that we consistently win them says a lot about ESL and how we do business."

Founded by George Eastman in 1920, ESL Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution with $4.0 billion in assets. ESL employs more than 600 people locally and has about 300,000 members world-wide. The company was recently ranked 16th as one of 2011 Best Small and Medium Workplaces in America by the Great Place to Work^® Institute and presented by Entrepreneur^® - the second consecutive year the company was named to the list. 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.