SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Members of Arrowhead Credit Union who are state employees and face the prospect of having their pay suspended because of the state budget crisis may be eligible to take advantage of Arrowhead CU's Payday Program. Arrowhead CU has offered the program to members since 1995 to help state employees through tight financial periods caused by past budget crisis. Qualified state employees who are members of the credit union can receive interest-free loans for the amount of their paycheck until the state budget is passed. Non-members who qualify to join the credit union can do so and take advantage of the loan program also. "This is a difficult time for our members who are state employees and we're sticking with them," said Arrowhead Senior Vice President Ann Benjamin. Among the benefits of the Payday Program: * members with direct deposit will have 100% of their last paycheck automatically deposited into their account on the date they would have received their pay; * members who are paid by check must bring their last payroll check stub to an Arrowhead branch to receive an interest-free loan for up to 95% of their last payroll check, pending credit approval. Repayment of the loan will be made in a single lump-sum due when the budget is passed; * non-members can receive a loan for up to 95% of their last payroll check by joining Arrowhead, opening a checking account and signing up for direct deposit. The CU will waive its $5 membership fee for state employees who join Arrowhead to take advantage of the Payday program. According to credit union sources, some California political observers say the state's budget impasse could last into the Fall. Benjamin said Arrowhead members can continue to request one-month loan extensions until the budget is passed. Arrowhead CU has over $650 million in assets and serves more than 120,000 members. Its field-of-membership includes anyone who lives, works or worships in Riverside County or San Bernardino County.