ALEXANDRIA, Va. — NCUA Board Member Gigi Hyland applauded the early success of the SBA's Patriot Express program as an example, not only of credit unions taking advantage of opportunities presented, but also federal agencies working together.

Hyland, NCUA's liaison to the SBA, stated, "America's military community is dedicated to excellence, and these same qualities transfer especially well to entrepreneurial endeavors. Credit unions are empowering these members to start and maintain successful businesses by offering loans guaranteed by SBA's Patriot Express, and I would like to see more credit unions consider this excellent lending product for those who are willing to pay the ultimate price for our freedom."

Patriot Express, a spin-off of SBA's Express Program, supports veterans, service-disabled veterans and reserve members' business efforts.