Minnesota CUs Helping During PartialGovernment Shutdown

ST. PAUL, Minn. - (07/05/05) A number of this state's credit unionsare offering help as Minnesota operates with the first partialshutdown of government in its history. Some 9,000 employees havebeen temporarily laid off due to a budget impasse. It was believedfor a while that the Department of Commerce would be among thosestate entities forced to endure the temporary shutdown, thereforehalting examinations and applications for credit unions and otherfinancial institutions. However, continued funding for theDepartment of Commerce was included in a bill that passed justprior to the holiday weekend, according to the Minnesota CreditUnion Network. Among those offering assistance are Affinity PlusFCU and Hiway FCU, both based in St. Paul. Affinity Plus isoffering automatic 30-day extensions for members on loanpayments.