Despite adversity, Washington Postal FCU still operating, other CUs lend a hand

WASHINGTON-The Brentwood Road Mail Processing Center, where two postal workers have died from inhalation anthrax in northeast Washington, D.C., houses the sole location of Washington Postal Federal Credit Union. The credit union, which provides financial services to 4,400 Brentwood facility employees, area mail carriers and their families, has been shut down and quarantined with the mail facility since Sunday, October 21. Knowing how necessary financial services are to the members and the consequences of remaining out of service for weeks, CEO Patricia Yates and the credit union board resolved to reopen the credit union at an alternative location by October 26, the postal workers next payday. Working with NCUA and Transit Federal Credit Union, Washington Postal was able to open at a temporary location, inside Transit FCU’s Blandensburg Road facility nearby. NCUA offered additional assistance where necessary, including providing stock supplies and computer equipment and helping to move furniture. First Union Bank also provided available cash. The temporary office opened for business October 26. Washington Postal is currently operating out of a longer-term alternative site at Educational Systems Federal Credit Union. Shuttle service is available between Transit and Educational Systems FCUs. A mobile operations unit is set up in the parking lot of the Brentwood postal facility.