Hurricane Matthew underscores unique value of credit union cooperative networks

For all of its natural power and destructive force, Hurricane Matthew was not been able to disrupt the ability of the credit union industry to provide financial services to members.

The unique cooperative spirit of the movement helped make this possible. Major exponents of the industry’s “people helping people” commitment are the CO-OP Shared Branch and CO-OP ATMnetworks managed by CO-OP Financial Services, which maintain financial services lifelines between impacted credit unions and their members.

According to Credit Union Times on Friday morning, October 7, 2016, nearly 40 credit unions in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas publicly announced branch closings for Thursday and Friday and Saturday because of Hurricane Matthew and its 100-plus miles per hour winds that affected more than six million residents.

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