NCUA Monitoring and Assisting Credit Unions Affected by Wildfires in Maui

Deposits Remain Insured; Agency Monitoring Conditions to Ensure Access to Services

As Lahaina, Hawaii, works to recover from the destruction caused by wildfires, the National Credit Union Administration is monitoring the situation closely and has resources available to help credit unions affected.

NCUA examiners have been working to stay in contact with credit unions in Maui County, determine their status, and offer assistance as needed. The NCUA reminds credit union staff to keep in contact, if possible, with local authorities. Credit unions needing assistance should contact their regional offices.

Member deposits at federally insured credit unions remain protected by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. Administered by the NCUA, the Share Insurance Fund insures individual accounts up to $250,000, and a member’s interest in all joint accounts combined is insured up to $250,000. The Share Insurance Fund also separately protects IRA and KEOGH retirement accounts up to $250,000. The Share Insurance Fund has the backing of the full faith and credit of the United States.

Credit union members with questions about insurance coverage can find information online, or they may contact NCUA’s Consumer Assistance Center at 800.755.1030, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern.

The NCUA will, when necessary:

• Encourage credit unions to make prudent loans with special terms and reduced documentation to affected members;

• Reschedule routine examinations of affected credit unions;

• Guarantee lines of credit for credit unions through the Share Insurance Fund; and

• Make loans to meet the liquidity needs of member credit unions through the Central Liquidity Facility.

Low-income-designated credit unions affected by declared local, state, and national emergencies can apply for up to $7,500 in Urgent Needs grant assistance to repair damage or restore services to members. Information about Urgent Needs Grants is available online. Any credit union needing NCUA assistance should contact its primary supervisory examiner.

The NCUA will also coordinate with state league organizations to ensure federally insured credit unions are aware of and can utilize NCUA’s assistance.