HAMPDEN, Maine -- The chairman of the American Credit Union Mortgage Association, John Reed, added his voice Thursday to the call by industry leaders to help find CU solutions to the mortgage crisis whether it be hotlines, funding platforms or CUSO linkage, all aimed at helping subprime victims.

"There are some members of ours that we simply can't reach but at the same if we are as passionate as we say about our mission, this is a time we really need to get our arms around this problem and provide assistance," said Reed who also is president/CEO of Maine Savings FCU.

Though the problem has yet to surface on a serious level in Maine as it has on the West Coast, Florida and other hotspots with huge foreclosure rates, Reed said CUs with mortgage operations have already started exploring a series of vehicles including the hotlines and possible teams of CU loan advisors who can assist borrowers in getting out of skyrocketing ARMs.

The president/CEO of ACUMA, Robert Dorsa, said that the trade group stands ready to aid its members on such programs as a National Call Center to field leads or to coordinate the hiring of skilled "loan originators" ready to speak daily with consumers in 12-14 hour cycles to help in rewriting mortgages or finding lenders.