In our last column, we told you about how we were providing you with safe alternatives to in-branch banking during the pandemic, and we told you about ways we were assisting members with their finances. At the time, we mentioned that things were happening so rapidly everything would probably change again by the time you received our newsletter and read our column. We weren’t wrong.
In the span of just a few months, we’ve seen rapid change at an unprecedented scale and scope. Businesses and entire industries shuttered, then starting to reopen and adapt. Jobs lost. Others working from home. Social distancing and an array of safety guidelines to adhere to. Society at odds and on edge. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, unrest that put our members squarely at the heart of additional disruption and adversity.
Our credit union can’t solve the world’s complicated problems, but we can do everything in our power to help our members and to ease their strain. We were founded in 1936 during tough times. We were here for you then, we’re here for you now.
We gave members a break on their vehicle and credit card payments. We’re helping people with their mortgages. We’re refinancing members’ loans, consolidating their debt and providing loans for those who need them. We’ve waived fees. For those who are feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, our financial education partner BALANCE, can assign you a personal coach who will work with you on an ongoing basis.
Because we’re not just a financial institution but an advocate for our members, we’ve also provided meals for law enforcement agencies across the county, to offer some relief for exhausted peace officers working extended shifts. It’s a small but meaningful way to let them know that we support them and to show our appreciation.
With your safety and security in mind, we’re keeping you up to date on the latest scams being propagated by unscrupulous criminals attempting to exploit anxiety caused by current events. So please be sure to visit our blog at lapfcu.org and follow us on social media to stay informed and to learn how to protect yourself.
As you might expect, we’re adapting too, so that you have uninterrupted services and one less thing to worry about. Your wellbeing comes first. That’s why we’re encouraging you to use our online and mobile banking options. You can visit us at lapfcu.org or download our app to bank with us anytime, anywhere.
If you do prefer to visit a branch, your safety is a top priority. Measures we’ve put in place include frequent deep cleaning, maximum occu-pancy limits, social distancing protocols, plexiglass shields, face coverings, and free hand sanitizer. It might not be what you’re accustomed to, but we promise you’ll still receive the friendly, personal service you deserve – even if it’s from six feet away behind a mask.
Finally, we’re looking ahead to the future. We want to thank those of you who participated in our recent survey to help us understand how your current and future needs have changed, so that we can continue to provide you with the services you require, and serve you the way you wish to be served. The world may change, but we’re prepared to change with it in order to fulfill our mission of improving the financial wellbeing of the Los Angeles County law enforcement community. We hope you stay safe, and please know that you we’ll always be here for you.
Andre Plummer, Chair
Edwin W. Hada, President/CEO