Despite the recent disruptions caused by wildfires across Northwest Nevada, local credit unions have worked to keep banking services accessible.
Additionally, credit unions are also stepping up and offering disaster relief loans for members and communities. Across the state, Greater Nevada, Silver State Schools, Aloha Pacific, One Nevada, Financial Horizons, Create, Boulder Dam, Elko, Sierra Central, and Great Basin credit unions have activated emergency financing.
These relief packages include zero-percent or low-interest signature loans, 60- to 90-day payment deferrals, no-fee skip-a-payment options, and penalty-free certificate of deposit withdrawals to ease challenges for households impacted by the wildfires.
Credit unions are also coordinating grant assistance to amplify their local recovery efforts, committing to community relief, supporting food banks, helping animal shelters, and getting involved in a range of opportunities. Teams have launched branch donation drives and mobilized employee volunteers.
Meanwhile, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is offering financial relief through urgent need grants.
Funded by NCUA’s Community Development Revolving Loan Fund (CDRLF) and administered by the Office of Credit Union Resources and Expansion (CURE), these grants help Low-Income-Designated Credit Unions (LICUs) restore disrupted operations, repair infrastructure, replace damaged equipment, and maintain financial services for vulnerable communities.
Urgent need grants remain open year-round for disaster relief and emergency events. Eligible credit unions can access this support by documenting their disaster-related expenses, preparing a project budget that complies with CURE General Expense Guidelines, and submitting an application through the NCUA CURE grant portal.
This grant support is timely, as wildfires have threatened communities and taken a toll on credit unions, staff, and their members. Great Basin Federal Credit Union saw a dozen staff members evacuated, with an employee and at least one member losing their homes, alongside temporary branch closures. Others, such as Sierra Central Credit Union, identified dozens of members living within active evacuation perimeters.
By combining local action with NCUA’s urgent need grants, Nevada’s credit unions can ensure long-term recovery for their staff and communities.
