Disaster recovery

The House approved a five-year extension of the National Flood Insurance Program on Tuesday, but it remains unclear whether the Senate will seek to pursue its own bill. The program is due to expire Dec. 8.

Banks and their regulators quickly got back up to speed in markets hit hard by recent hurricanes, thanks in part to the lessons learned in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, a panel of regulators said Tuesday.

Credit unions in both states have prepped offers for consumers who need to rehab their homes following this summer's hurricanes, but there are hurdles ahead, including rising competition and stringent regulations.

The devastation and loss credit unions saw following Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria should be a wake call for all financial institutions to have respective disaster recovery plans in place, but oddly the opposite sometimes holds true.

Chief among the credit union’s aid efforts are low- and no-interest loans, and initiatives in concert with other area service providers.

Debbie Meekins is running First Community Bank in Santa Rosa while simultaneously taking steps to rebuild her own life after her home of 19 years went up in flames.

Recent hurricanes and wildfires still raging in California are fresh reminders to bankers of the importance of emergency preparedness plans.

CU supporters nationwide can made donations to CUAid, with all funds are going towards credit unions in California and other areas damaged by natural disasters.

The California Credit Union League is setting up relief efforts via CUAid through the NCUF

The agency has a relatively new program designed to quickly get funds into disaster-stricken areas. The problem is that many banks and credit unions don't know it exists.

The Federal Reserve's nationwide preparedness plan for cash emergencies is being put to a unique test in Puerto Rico. Stocks are being replenished with daily flights, but the lack of power to ATMs and branches is contributing to reports of cash shortages.

A partnership between the National Credit Union Foundatoin and the New York Credit Union Foundation will also aid CU members and employees in Puerto Rico.

The U.S. commonwealth has eight federally chartered credit unions, as well as a number of cooperativas, similar to state-chartered CUs.

Florida and Texas are normally major sources of mergers, but bankers in those states likely will take a break to assess damage from the hurricanes before returning to dealmaking.

Hurricane Irma reportedly impacted more than 100,000 credit union members in the region.

Bankers in Florida and Texas are dusting off their disaster-recovery playbooks, which focus on retrieving customers' valuables, ensuring employee safety and minimizing the bank's own legal exposure.

Banks could be busy supplying credit to manufacturers, hotels, multifamily developers and other businesses that will be helping residents get their lives back on track after two fierce storms.

Approximately two-thirds of the state's 136 credit unions suffered damage from high winds and flood waters, but CUs are reopening their doors to members and staff — though some are still without power and internet access.

As hurricanes wreaked havoc over the last couple of weeks, several banking-related narratives have emerged. Here is a look at those stories.

The hurricane was expected by many to deliver catastrophe. Instead, bankers are largely looking to restore power and confirm the status of employees.