CUs Clean Up After Irene;
CUAid Accepting Donations
BURLINGTON, Vt.-Despite floodwaters receding and power coming back to much of Northeast, credit unions and their members are still slogging through the mess left by Hurricane Irene.
According to state leagues contacted by Credit Union Journal, no CUs suffered major damage and no employees were harmed. But numerous problems remained in Vermont, an area not accustomed to facing hurricanes. Many of the issues center on towns being cut off by washed away roads.
"Rochester is one of about 13 communities that are inaccessible because roads and bridges were completely taken out by Irene," said Joseph Bergeron, president of the Association of Vermont CUs.
White River CU has a Rochester branch that remained closed at press time due to power outages, and the townspeople were airlifted supplies, said Bergeron. The CU's Randolph office was still closed due to a lack of power but its Bethel office was back up; however that city has limited access.
Bergeron said Waterbury was hit hard. Vermont State Employees CU has an office there that remained closed. But Bergeron explained the credit union's office has not been damaged; it was closed due to the fact it resides in a state building that was shut down due to flooding and mud.
Candice Nigro, director of marketing and communications for the New Jersey Credit Union League, simply summed up what the state's CUs still faced mid-week: "There are various levels of disruption at New Jersey credit unions throughout the state. We are currently assisting credit unions affected by the hurricane in any way we can."
Meanwhile, the National Credit Union Foundation has activated the online disaster relief system CUAid.coop to raise money for credit union people affected by Hurricane Irene. Donations can be made via credit cards and wire transfers at www.cuaid.coop.
Who Wants To Be Compliant?
ARLINGTON, Va.-NAFCU is mimicking the popular game show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" in a new video, "Who Wants to Be Compliant?" The video features NAFCU's compliance team, and includes a contestant who "phones a friend" and dials NAFCU's Steve Van Beek. The video can be found at www.nafcu.org/compliance.
CUNA Cuts Two Positions
MADISON, Wis.-Citing "financial reasons," CUNA last week cut two positions in its Business & Consumer Publishing operation. Mark Condon, who heads up the unit, said that VP Jim Hanson and Director Phil Heckman have been let go, and that no replacements will be hired, with the job responsibilities reassigned. Condon cited the "adverse affect" of market trends for the job losses.
Donovan Promoted To SVP
WASHINGTON-CUNA last week promoted Ryan Donovan to SVP-legislative affairs. Donovan, who joined CUNA in September 2007, has previously been the association's vice president of legislative affairs. In his new position, he will lead CUNA's on-the-ground lobbying team and manage CUNA's legislative affairs department, the association said.
Yokum To Retire In 59th Year
NEWPORT NEWS, Va.-In what will be her 59th year with the credit union, Jean M. Yokum said she will retire as president/CEO of Langley FCU on July 17, 2012. Yokum joined Langley FCU in 1953 as a teller and was named CEO in 1979. During her career Yokum has overseen growth from $76 million in assets to $1.6 billion.
NFCU Sells Office For $4.8M
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.-NuVision FCU sold its office building in Monterey Park, Calif., to International Union of Painters & Allied Trades for $4.8 million.
