The Credit Union Association of New York said Friday that more than 2 million credit union members are in the areas hit by Sandy in the Empire State.

CUANY is working to reach more than 150 potentially impacted credit unions to find out their status and needs. “We have already coordinated resources like generators and laptops and will continue to do as much as possible,” CUANY President/CEO William J. Mellin said in a letter to New York's credit unions.

Power outages make it difficult to assess the situation fully, Mellin said, but one thing already has become clear.

“The losses are significant. We have faced other disasters, but what sets this apart is the vast number of credit union employees and members who have been impacted. In the most affected areas, there are more than 2 million credit union members,” Mellin said.

“Countless are still without power and access to gas, heat and other basic necessities. Some have completely lost their homes. And they're all going to be looking to their credit unions for help as they begin to recover,” he said.

He added that credit unions, chapters, individuals and system providers are encouraged to contribute online to the New York Credit Union Foundation's statewide disaster relief fund. 

Below: CUANY Senior Vice President Ron McLean and SUMA FCU Treasurer/COO Ihor Makarenko unload the first of two generators provided by the association to provide electricity to the $275 million credit union.

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Credit Union Management