GLENDORA, Calif. — When $210 million America's Christian Credit Union was presented with the opportunity to make a $58.5 million business loan to a member, President/CEO Mendell Thompson knew he would need a little help to close the deal.

Membership in the faith-based credit union is extended to those who worship in churches that embrace the Wesleyan doctrine. ACCU offers all the consumer products and services you'd expect from a credit union with 12,000 members, but what makes it different is the business loan niche it discovered about 15 years ago: churches.

"There is, clearly, a pretty good marketplace for us and a handful of others who cater to ministry lending. We understand it, we know it, and I believe our history has shown that we can assist them. I obviously think it's a good deal for us, not that we wouldn't be here if we hadn't entered this niche, but clearly, we have found an area that fits with what our mission is. And, it adds a lot of return to what we're doing," Thompson said.