Pen Air FCU Throws Lifeline To KeeslerFCU

PENSACOLA, Fla. - (09/14/05) -- When preparations for theapproaching Hurricane Katrina were being planned, John Davies,president of Pen Air FCU knew what the affected credit unions wouldneed more than anything else: cash. "Whenever we see a hurricaneapproaching we load up on cash. We know that cash is king," Davies,who piloted his credit union through many a tropical storm, toldThe Credit Union Journal. Though it took Davies four days to getthrough to his friend Scott Broome, president of Keesler FCU, itwas only a couple of hours before a team at Pen Air FCU could load$1.2 million in extra cash ordered especially for the emergency fordelivery to Keesler's Biloxi, Miss., offices. It took even lesstime for the delivery van, a Ford Excursion owned by the EscambiaCounty Sheriff's SWAT Team, escorted by two police cars and oneunmarked vehicle to speed the 150 miles to Biloxi, sometimesdriving as fast as 100 miles an hour. Penn Air FCU is alsoproviding Keesler FCU with other assistance, including use of itsmobile branch and a third floor conference room where Keesler FCUstaff have set up a virtual private network to process loans overCUNA Mutual's loanliner.com Internet site.