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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Sept. 30, 2015) – Credit unions in California counties affected by recent fires can make prudent efforts to help members in those areas, the National Credit Union Administration said today.

“Credit unions are about serving members, and when disasters, like the California fires, strike, they look for opportunities to help,” NCUA Board Chairman Debbie Matz said. “NCUA has been monitoring the situation closely and has remained in contact with credit unions in the affected areas. I’m happy to report no credit unions in the area have reported damage or interruptions to their daily operations as a result of the fires.”

Credit union members in areas affected by the fires should contact their credit unions if they need assistance. They can also contact NCUA’s Consumer Assistance Center toll-free at 800-755-1030 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern.

Member deposits are federally insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. Administered by 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 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.

NCUA recognizes disasters can affect the orderly conduct of lending relationships with individual members and businesses. The agency encourages credit unions to exercise prudent efforts to modify terms of existing loans when appropriate, including extending repayment terms, restructuring debt obligations or easing credit terms to new loans consistent with safe and sound practices.

The fires began in early September and caused extensive damage in Amador, Calaveras, Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties in California. On Sept. 22, the federal government issued a Disaster Declaration for Calaveras and Lake counties.