FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn.–SPIRE Credit Union said it will be making a total donation of $250,000 during April to organizations struggling during the global coronavirus pandemic.
During April, 300 employees and volunteers from its board, all departments (including senior management ) and SPIRE’s 20 branches will give out a total of $250,000 to businesses and organizations in their Minnesota communities, the credit union said.
“I’ve heard from many businesspeople who are facing tough times. They have been forced to suspend operations and in turn, non-profits serving our communities are suffering as giving has sharply declined at a time when it is needed most,” said Dan Stoltz, SPIRE president/CEO. “SPIRE wanted to step in and help. Our core value is ‘We Care.’ We care for our employees, members, and communities. This is a time to live out that core value with our support. We want our communities to know we are here for them.”
Stolz noted SPIRE was founded during the Great Depression. “Those were tough times, and we are in tough times now,” he said.
In other news related to the coronavirus pandemic:
CUTEK Offers Member Aid Package
In Boerne, Texas, CUTEK, a provider of IT products/services for credit unions, has bundled many of its products to create a “Member Aid Package,” which it said is discounted and which “looks to help credit unions better serve members impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak by offering specific product arrangements when members need financial relief.”
According to CUTEK, the Member Aid Package offers a loan modification workflow, a skip-a-pay program (offering built-in batch processing), and ATM foreign fee reversal program.
In addition to its custom programming services for Symitar’s Episys core, CUTEK said it also has the resources and expertise to help credit unions incorporate a staff remote work program during this time of social distancing.
US Senate FCU Offering Financial Counseling
In Washington, United States Senate FCU said it has partnered with GreenPath Financial Wellness to “address critical needs among community individuals and families impacted by COVID-19 pandemic measures.”
Through the partnership, USSFCU said it is offering free phone-based GreenPath financial counseling. GreenPath’s counselors will assess an individual’s entire financial picture and identify options that can relieve stress and make it easier to bounce back. “Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by this crisis. We know that many of our families and neighbors are concerned about their financial welfare,” said Timothy L. Anderson USSFCU president and CEO. “If COVID-19 measures are affecting your income, you’re not alone. Together with GreenPath, we have put programs in place to provide needed assistance and help ease financial stress during this extraordinary time.”
In addition to financial counseling services, USSFCU said it is working one-on-one with members to find solutions to meet their needs, including waiving and refunding certain fees and penalties, providing flexible payment options for loans, providing loan extensions in certain situations, and introducing a hardship loan.