With Storm Approaching, CUNA Readies ‘CU National Emergency Information System’
Leagues to inform CUs that toll-free number now ready for their use

August 3, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Patrick Keefe, CUNA Communications
(202) 508-6765
pkeefe@cuna.com

WASHINGTON -- With the arrival of Tropical Storm “Chris” near South Florida expected sometime this weekend as a hurricane, CUNA is advising individual state Leagues to inform their member credit unions that the Credit Union National Emergency Information System (CUNEIS), with its toll-free number for credit union information, is now up and ready for use.

CUNEIS is a toll-free number (1-877-CULOCATE, or 1-877-285-6228) that gives credit unions an information outlet to let their members and others know of the status of the credit union in the face of a disaster – including a hurricane.

The service is available to all credit unions across the country, at no charge. CUNA Strategic Services, a subsidiary of CUNA in partnership with the Leagues, is funding the CUNEIS operation. An electronic “post-office box” has been reserved on the system for each credit union in the country to use.

To activate the system for use by their members, credit unions are being asked by Leagues to set up at least two messages on the CUNEIS system – one to post on 1-877-CULOCATE during a crisis, and a second to post in non-crisis times. Additionally, credit unions may update their information as often as needed. Details for credit unions about how to record their messages, including tips on how messages can be phrased, are being provided to credit unions by their Leagues.

According to the National Weather Service’s Tropical Prediction Center, “Chris” is forecast to become a hurricane by today (Thursday). The current path of the storm would take it anywhere from the coast of Central Florida to Key West, south of the Florida panhandle.

“When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast last year, one of the biggest problems was communication, including between credit unions and their members,” said CUNA’s Director of Disaster Preparedness Scott Earl. “1-877-CULOCATE is the credit union movement’s answer to this problem, so that credit unions have a consistent and simple method for letting members, the news media, first responders and others know the status of the credit union.”

Earl pointed out that some credit unions may believe that they are in locations or situations where the chances of a major disaster are remote. “Even so, power outages, terrorist attacks, and severe storms can strike anywhere,” Earl said. “1-877-CULOCATE opens the door for any credit union, anywhere, to inform their members and their communities about how the credit union is maintaining services in the face of any of these sorts of disasters – including storms like ‘Chris.’”

Earl added that CUNEIS is designed to provide only very basic information to members and others on the status of individual credit unions. Credit unions are encouraged to have alternative emergency numbers that provide additional or in-depth information. These numbers can also be referenced in recordings accessed through 1-877-CULOCATE.

For more information on CUNEIS or 1-877-CULOCATE, contact Scott Earl of CUNA at searl@cuna.coop, or (202) 638-5777.

With its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, Credit Union National Association serves more than 90 percent of America's 9,000 credit unions, which are owned by more than 87 million consumer members. Credit unions are not-for-profit cooperatives providing affordable financial services to people from all walks of life. For more information, visit www.cuna.org.

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