<p>STOCKTON, Calif. – Premier West Credit Union has taken a creative approach to supporting local charities while building community partnerships. The credit union is donating 50-basis points of its total loan income to San Joaquin County community charitable organizations through the United Way. "The more loans our members have with us, the more we will be able to give. It's a partnership we can all be proud of by working together to support our community," said PWCU President/CEO Paul Bonell. Following the September 11 terrorist attack with the majority of donations directed to victims of the tragedy the $90 million credit union recognized that local charity resources were being drained. Developed by the PWCU board of directors, the donation campaign became effective retroactively from Sept. 11, 2001 through Dec. 31, 2002. Members were notified through a newsletter message from Bonell, who encouraged them to participle in the campaign by using Premier West for all their borrowing needs. To date, the credit union has donated just over $5,000 to the United Way for distribution among local charities.</p>