AFTECH, Municipal CU work to restore the CU's systems

MALVERN, Pa. – Credit union data processor AFTECH had to work hand-in-hand with New York City’s Municipal Credit Union and another CU to get the systems in Municipal CU headquarters, damaged in the terrorist attacks, back in operating condition. The credit union, just a few blocks from the World Trade Center, was fortunate enough to evacuate its staff safely and retrieve data tapes. AFTECH, the CU’s core processor, worked with Municipal CU management on helping the CU through its disaster recovery plan, specifically on the technology side. This meant technical assistance from AFTECH staff, replacement of computers and peripheral equipment, and re-establishment of communications lines. “When we got the call for help from Municipal Credit Union, my approach was, and continues to be, that we will do whatever it takes to assist them through this challenging time,” AFTECH President/ CEO Joe Sermarini said. “With air traffic, communications and power disrupted in New York, providing the necessary assistance has required an around-the-clock effort that has not yet ended. With AFTECH’s assistance, staff, facilities and equipment, Municipal’s staff has recovered a valid database, updated it with front- and back-office transactions, and is now online to its branches in New York City.” AFTECH put its own disaster recovery hardware at its Malvern headquarters into immediate service. Sermarini contacted Brian Riffle, CEO of USSCO Federal Credit Union in Johnstown, Pa., to ask if a new Compaq Alpha computer purchased by USSCO and staged by AFTECH could be diverted to Municipal. Riffle didn’t hesitate. “Don’t worry about us,” Riffle said. “If it can help them, use it.” AFTECH’s equipment was adequate to start and maintain Municipal’s recovery, but did not address the credit union’s need to rebuild operations in a New York location. So while AFTECH – and a handful of Municipal employees who came to AFTECH’s offices – worked on restoring routine operations and procedures, AFTECH applied to Compaq Computer Corporation for replacement of the credit union’s abandoned equipment. By Friday afternoon (September 14), the new equipment began arriving at a Municipal branch in Elmont, Long Island. On Thursday, Sept. 13 (payday for the city’s workers), Municipal had opened branches, using paper records for transactions. By Friday Sept. 14 afternoon, the Elmont branch was running online from AFTECH’s offices. By Monday Sept. 17, less than a week after the attack, the credit union had all of its branches operating online from the systems at Malvern. [email protected]