Industry efforts amid historic shutdown draw national media attention

Credit unions’ efforts to help members weather the government shutdown garnered widespread recognition across national and local media. The historic shutdown—lasting 43 days—ended late Wednesday.  

NPR highlighted how federal workers were facing the crisis, detailing credit union efforts at Iowa-based Veridian Credit Union.  Less than a month after the shutdown began, the credit union had already approved more than $55,000 in "Government Advance Loans” for 32 affected members. It also spotlighted Denver-based Westerra Credit Union and Redwood Credit Union in Northern California, with each providing nearly $100,000 in short-term, interest-free loans to members at the time of story, with new applications coming in daily.

Colorado Public Radio also outlined various credit union programs that helped members make ends meet. “This is what credit unions are built for,” said Westerra Credit Union Vice President of Marketing Nicole Andrushko. “These loans cover all the day-to-day expenses they have in their life to fill the gap of what they're experiencing today.”

GoWest Credit Union Association President/CEO Troy Stang shared similar sentiments in Colorado Biz. “Credit unions are moving quickly to provide relief and demonstrate their unwavering commitment to their members,” said Stang.  Along with Westerra Credit Union, the article featured programs offered by WECU in Washington, OneAZ Credit Union in Arizona, and Blue Federal Credit Union in Wyoming.  

In Washington state, local outlet The Spokesman-Review profiled the efforts of STCU, BECU, and Canopy Credit Union.

The ongoing media attention continues to emphasize how the credit union difference is at work in communities across the country—in both good times and bad. Additional stories of credit union’s stepping up to help amid the shutdown, as well as a regularly updated list of credit unions offering assistance by state, are available on America’s Credit Unions Government Shutdown Assistance page.