NCUA’s Johnson Encourages CUs to Participate in Pandemic Exercise

ALEXANDRIA, Va.–Treasury will sponsor a test of the financial services sector's ability to withstand a bird flu outbreak or other pandemic. The online exercise aims to bring together large and small credit unions with banks, brokers, insurers and other financial services firms to examine contingency plans for a number of areas, including continuity of operations, transportation, telecommunications, human resources and energy. Using a secure website, from Sept. 24 through Oct. 10, the test will simulate development of a potential outbreak. “I encourage credit unions to consider participating in this industry-wide exercise,” NCUA Chairman JoAnn Johnson said in a release. “It will provide an excellent opportunity to test your continuity of operations plan, identify potential areas for improvement and learn from the experience of others.” The exercise is free and voluntary, NCUA said. Participating financial institutions will conduct it anonymously using electronic mail and a secure website. Detailed information about the exercise and registration is available at: http://www.fspanfluexercise.com/ . While registration is open through August 31, 2007, early registration is encouraged.