CUs Help During Oil Spill

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-Credit unions did their part to support members affected by BP's oil spill along the Gulf Coast.

Numerous CUs restructured loans during the toughest part of the spill, paying particular attention to small businesses, reported the League of Southeastern CUs, which noted CUs also helped members with questions about filing a claim with BP.

The $365-million Gulf Winds FCU in Pensacola, Fla., also put together a fund to help the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida that was affected by the spill. They matched donations from members and hit their goal of $100,000.

The LSCU organized an Oil Spill Forum to bring credit unions together along the Gulf to see how the league and credit unions could be a resource to those in need (Credit Union Journal, Sept. 6). CUs from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida participated. During the forum, credit unions received direction from the NCUA and the state regulators from Alabama and Florida. The league has created an oil spill resource area on its website that has phone numbers and links to organizations and information to help credit unions help their members.