Disaster planning

Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and more severe, and victims will always require support from their banks. A plan for delivering that support needs to be in place before disaster strikes.

The CU Relief Fund for Ukraine, which launched in late 2022, now takes public donations and is working to recruit more institutions to its cause.

In the wake of destruction across Maui, financial institutions based inside and outside of Hawaii are establishing support programs, raising relief funds and facilitating donations of food and clothing.

Storms earlier this month crippled local communities in the Green Mountain state. Banks, which have had to close branches or open alternative ones, are offering flexible loan repayment options and working with municipalities to finance the rebuilding of infrastructure.

During the pandemic, many banks adopted programs that helped struggling families find stability. Make that a permanent strategy.

Financial institutions have launched tailored relief campaigns to help refugees begin rebuilding their lives.

Juliette Kayyem, a veteran crisis manager, explores practical steps leaders can take to be ready for the next disaster in “The Devil Never Sleeps.”

Branches across the country have closed temporarily, or switched to drive-thru service, as infections and quarantine rules have forced many bank workers to stay home.

Comerica, Regions and Frost Bank closed hundreds of branches statewide while others ran them at reduced capacity or on power generators to help ease the strain on the state’s overwhelmed power grid.

From natural disasters to pandemics, the best business-continuity strategy may simply be to ensure you have a strategy.