Many CUs' status unreported, others forge ahead

MADISON, Wis. (9/6/05)--Although the lack of communication in the days after Hurricane Katrina has hindered efforts to contact credit unions, many have used their websites and other systems as a way to let members and the community in general learn their status.

All items below were effective as of 2:30 p.m. CDT Sept. 2.

Alabama

• Mobile
  • Alabama Central CU--Creola branch closed Thursday. All other branches are open (Mobile, Orange Beach). Service available through nearest Credit Union Service Center or 800-223-2415.

  • Army Aviation Center FCU--Brookley and downtown Mobile offices are closed. All other offices in Mobile area will be open.

• Robertsdale
  • Pen Air FCU--Pensacola, Fla., headquarters. Internet account access (home banking) is temporarily down. The website suggests calling any Pen Air FCU office at 877-473-6247 or the call center 850-505-7811. Account information may be retrieved via Flex-Tone at 850-479-9500.

• Tuscaloosa
  • Alabama CU--Branches in Foley. Data center was unavailable for most of Tuesday, resulting in lack of access to accounts via ACUiBranch or through statewide branches. Electrical service was restored shortly before 5 p.m. Members can call the Member Care Center at 888-817-2002.

Louisiana

• Baton Rouge
  • Campus FCU--Members with residences within affected ZIP codes will have monthly payments waived for a period of 90 days provided the loan is in good standing. All late fees will be waived, but interest will still accrue. Members should notify the credit union where they are located. Victims of storm damage can qualify for a 3.5% discount off loan rates for signature loans of $2,500 or more for any term. First payment will be deferred for 90 days. No late fees will be charged. Direct deposits will continue to be made regardless of the availability of branches in New Orleans. Members can get cash from Credit Union Service Centers. Online banking services and teleservices are available. Plans are under way to temporarily increase Visa card limits. Member service number: 888-769-8841.

  • La Capitol FCU--Hammond, Houma, Metairie and New Orleans branches closed. Members can contact the personal assistance line at 800-522-2748 or 225-342-5055. Online access services are down. In place of Account Access, use TeL-a-Cap to manage accounts at 800-835-2227 or 225-342-9123.

• Harahan
  • ASI FCU--Branches in Avondale, Covington, Gretna, Mandeville, Metairie, New Orleans, Slidell. Members can get cash by using ATM and debit cards or cash personal checks at any retail outlet that has been used prior to this disaster. By Monday, all ACH deposits should be posted. Offices in Ville Platte and Thibodaux are open for business. A call center will open in Baton Rouge by Monday. Member service number: 800-349-6193.

  • Jefferson Parish Employees FCU--Branches in Gretna, Harahan, Marrero, Metairie. Members with Members and Auto Homeowners Insurance Program, underwritten by Liberty Mutual and Progressive Insurance, can call Liberty Mutual at 800-225-2467 or Progressive at 800-776-4737.

• Harvey
  • Jefferson Parish School Board Employees CU--Branches in Harvey and Metairie. "We are working very hard to restore services." Visit website for updated information.

• La Place
  • Louisiana FCU--Branches in La Place, Norco and Reserve. Open and functioning.

• Metairie
  • Greater New Orleans FCU--Branches in Marrero, Metairie and New Orleans. Members can contact the credit union at 225-819-5710. eBranch home banking will be down until further notice. To access funds immediately, visit a Credit Union Service Center. Employees should call emergency contact number 225-819-5809.

  • Louisiana Corporate CU--Temporarily relocated its operations to offsite contingency center at U.S. Central CU, Lenexa, Kan. Contact staff at 888-872-0440, ext. 6412. LaCorp Services implemented contingency communication plan 9 a.m. Aug. 29. All corporate services will be available and accessible through the following numbers: 504- 442-0400, 504-234-8130, 504-234-0373 or 504-481-3386. The corporate anticipates no interruptions in access to automated services, i.e. Open Door and APEX. Status updates will be posted the website http://www.lacorp.com/new.asp

  • Louisiana Public Health Workers FCU--Will be located at a Baton Rouge area credit union. Home banking was not be updated during the next 48 hours due to office relocation. Website to be updated with information.

  • New Orleans Firemen's FCU--Branches in Lutcher and Members can access account through Audio Response Teller, 504-889-9080 or 800-292-3232. Use a Credit Union Service Center. If offices are closed due to any emergency, the credit union will waive all ATM and CU Service Center transaction fees.

• New Orleans
  • First Castle FCU--Office closed until further notice. "We pray that all of our members and residents of the New Orleans area are OK and with their family and/or friends in a safe place. Please rest assured that we will as soon as possible set up an emergency branch location and phone number where all of our members with questions can call us, CEO Kirk Arnold said on the website. Members should use shared branches and home banking. "We will also do everything possible to ensure that all of your automatic drafts, checks, EFTs, etc. all happen as specified. However, as you may be aware, we are also displaced at this time and it may take some time to get us back to business. Business as normal may not be seen again for some time--if ever. However, please know that your Credit Union will be there whenever you need us as soon as it is humanly possible to do so." Do not send any correspondence to the New Orleans address until further notice. Any loan payments that are currently due will be extended and all late fees will be waived.

  • Internal Revenue FCU--Closed until further notice. If members need to wire funds to their account, do so through: Southwest Corporate FCU, 311990511; credit to: Internal Revenue FCU, 265075511; Final credit to: Your Name and account number. Processing all ACH, share draft and ATM transactions as we normally would. We are also making every effort to keep ATM and debit card systems updated as normal so that members can access accounts. Although member transactions are being processed, we are unable to update your account activity to the home banking site at this time. We will resume this service as soon as possible.
  • Louisiana Public Health Workers FCU--Due to equipment shipping problems, the credit union may be delayed in getting back on line. It will be located at a Baton Rouge area credit union. Home banking will not be updated during the next 48 hours due to office relocation.

  • Michoud CU--Employees are all physically OK. Credit union currently working on getting systems up running and items processed ASAP. "We appreciate your patience and understanding during these trying times."

  • Navy FCU--Branch of Merrifield, Va. Member service centers in New Orleans and Crescent City will be closed indefinitely.

  • NODA FCU--Credit union is in the process of recovering in the Lafayette area at Acadian FCU. Call 337-233-6744 for information. The Louisiana Credit Union League and Southwest Corporate are working to assist our members in locating other credit unions around the state and country for assistance. "Our prayers go out to all members of our credit union Family."

  • Post Office Employees CU--All offices will remain closed until further notice. It is working to move its processing location. Members should use CU Service Centers.

  • RiverLand CU--Louisiana and Mississippi offices are closed. Texas offices open 9 a.m. -4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

  • UNO FCU--UNOFCU is working hard to restore operations. Check website for updates. Use ATM or MasterMoney debit card to access up to $100 per day from your account, or write checks against funds in your account.

  • U.S. Customs FCU--Status unreported.

Mississippi

• Biloxi
  • Keesler FCU--Some web services are temporarily unavailable. Temporary number for call center: 866-495-2572. Online loan applications active.

• Jackson-- Mississippi Credit Union League President/CEO Charles Elliott said Thursday he expected all Jackson credit unions to be open by Friday, Sept. 2.
  • Jackson Area FCU--Shared branch is open.

  • Mississippi Postal Employees FCU--On Wednesday, manager Marilyn Hobson said, "We're fine. We're without damage. It looks like a war zone, but we were very fortunate."

• Pascagoula
  • Navigator CU-- All branches closed until further notice.