"They don't have a lot of competition, and they're still having difficulty satisfying the market need," Sharp says.

The result of the meetings?

"I think it was very good," he answers. "When we left they were working with the People's Bank of China on a memorandum of understanding to do a demonstration project in an area that needs microcredit for farmers."

When Sharp first went to China in 2002 there were large RCCs in major cities such a Beijing and Shanghai. They have since been converted to commercial banks. Now officials are trying to figure out how to restructure the remaining RCCs for the long term.

Sharp isn't the only Arrowhead employee with a well-used passport. Dr. Mo Yaziri, as CEO of Arrowhead affiliate Integrity Planners, visited Iran as a WOCCU representative.

Arrowhead CU is also committed to reaching out in California. The credit union is involved in a wide range of groups and fundraising projects such as the Inland Empire Economic Partnership and Walk for the Cure for a local chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. The efforts involve economic development, education, financial literacy, housing, transportation, health services and outreach to the underserved.

At a Credit Union Executives Society meeting several years ago, Sharp indicated such efforts benefit not only the community, but also the credit union. For example, Arrowhead's sponsorship of Arrowhead Credit Union Park not only brings professional baseball to local fans, but it also builds brand identity.

As the California region known as the Inland Empire has grown rapidly, the credit union has moved into new areas. That means building new branches and capturing business as new neighborhoods are established.

"Members like convenience," Sharp notes. "That equates to bricks and mortar. That also equates to ATMs and electronic banking. It's not one thing by itself."

Member demographics, he adds, vary from branch to branch. So Arrowhead tries to target each specific location and define the market.

Overall, by focusing on checking accounts as a key product Arrowhead wants to position itself as a member's primary financial institution and capture

additional business such as loans.

Other financial institutions are also vying for consumers. For example, for years Bank of America had not been establishing new branches. Now it is. Community and regional banks are also moving in.

The robust economy has prompted Arrowhead to establish a Members Business Services subsidiary.

"The economy has been strong. The only place we have seen softness is in housing-related categories. We really have a vibrant, growing economy in the other business sectors," Sharp says.

"I think they [businesses] do have different demands and a different kind of need for services. It is a little more complicated than serving the retail member, but I believe it's very good business. We have an opportunity to do more in the community by developing business memberships."

Challenges? Right now it's watching the housing sector to see how it evolves, and dealing with the growing competition.

Sharp describes his involvement with credit unions as "accidental." He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from National University and an MBA in finance from California State University, San Diego.

He was working for International Harvester in San Diego when he was invited by the comptroller to help with a supervisory committee audit of what was then Kearney Mesa Credit Union.

"I got out there and liked it," Sharp says. "I spent about 12 years there, then went to Navy Credit Union in San Diego for two and a half years. Then I had an opportunity to come here. I've been here going on 25 years.

"It's been wonderful. We have people who have been at Arrowhead long term. When I first came we were at about $48 million. One thing that has led to success is the leadership role we have taken in the community. People readily identify us from the work we do."

Just as Sharp says he loves to work with the community, he delights in flying the Cessna 182 he co-owns. He also enjoys baseball and you might find him at the ballpark–Arrowhead Credit Union Park, of course–several times a week.

He has five grown children, and a daughter and grandson are currently living with him.

–[email protected]