COMMUNITY TRUST CREDIT UNION SALUTES PIERA HERMES;

TELLER IS ALSO NEW U.S. CITIZEN

(Gurnee, IL May 23, 2007) Piera Hermes, a teller at Community Trust Credit Union (CTCU), completed a transaction eight years in the making when she became a United States citizen at a ceremony at the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago, IL on Thursday, May 17, 2007. As her husband, Matt, looked on, Hermes joined 163 other candidates from 57 countries to take the oath and become a new U.S. citizen.

"It feels great, very special," said Hermes, who was born in Sicily, Italy, and made her way through the immigration process without assistance. Most candidates have lawyers who help them with the required forms. But Hermes made the phone calls herself, filled out and filed all of the required paperwork and waited patiently. She studied for the required civic test and passed with flying colors. The English language test was a bit easier since she spent a time in England as a child.

"I really love going to work at Community Trust Credit Union because everybody is so friendly and supportive. It's like spending the day with my extended family," said Hermes, who moved to Lake County just one month after her marriage in 2000 and has worked at the credit union for six years. "When I think of my journey to U.S. citizenship, I give a lot of credit to my fellow workers and our wonderful members at Community Trust Credit Union. They've supported me every step of the way."