Scores of credit unions across a wide swath of the Midwest and Texas/Oklahoma began invoking business continuity and disaster procedures Wednesday in the wake of the massive winter storm of snow and ice which forced early closing of CU offices both today and yesterday.

CUNA's Madison office remained closed for a second day with leagues and a number of corporate credit union offices shuttered or disrupted in Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois and Wisconsin at least until tomorrow.

"I am looking out my window at a foot of snow on the ground, still coming down but I suppose we may get back in the office tomorrow if they can clear the streets," said Glenn Ray, director of public affairs for the Michigan Credit Union League, speaking from his home in a Detroit suburb.

Particularly hard hit were CUs in Kansas and Oklahoma, where whiteout conditions shut down businesses in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. The president/CEO of the Credit Union Association of Oklahoma, Gary Jones, said league offices remained closed today "but my staff is working from home."

While CUNA's offices closed, CUNA Mutual said it was staying open. "Our business continuity plans enable us to meet customer service needs at times like this," said a spokesman.

The Texas Credit Union League said it too was closing its Dallas office for a second day and "will evaluate the situation" on its plans to reopen Thursday.

The Wisconsin Credit Union League, with headquarters in the Milwaukee suburb of Peewaukee, said it did plan to reopen on Thursday and that Corporate Central CU delayed its Wednesday opening and "will evaluate condition throughout Wednesday and offer updates."