Most Anchorage, Alaska CUs Clean Up & Reopen for Business
At least two branches remain closed Monday after a major earthquake hit the state’s largest city Friday.
While credit unions in Anchorage Alaska have reopened since Friday morning when a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit the state’s largest city, at least two branches remained closed Monday because of damages.
Credit Union 1 and the Denali Credit Union said all of their branches have reopened except for their branches in Eagle River that remained closed on Monday. Eagle River is about 14 miles north of Anchorage. The earthquake was centered about 10 miles northeast of Anchorage, according to national media reports.
“As far as our branches and our department status hear at HQ, we did suffer some cosmetic damages —- is the best way to say it, kind of like a lot of other places, I’m sure,” James Wileman, president/CEO of the $ 1 billion Credit Union 1, said in a video statement posted on YouTube Sunday afternoon.
While the credit union’s branches have been inspected and checked out for safety, he noted the Eagle River (branch) would be closed Monday because of concerns that the branch had some serious structural damages. But after Wileman’s video message had been posted, an inspection by a structural engineer determined the Eagle River branch suffered no structural damages and was cleared for safe operations, Credit Union 1 Chief Culture Officer Chrissy Bell said Monday afternoon.
“However, there was still a lot of cleanup and minor repairs that needed to happen, which is what is being worked on today,” Bell said.
Denali CU, a division of the $1.6 billion Nuvision Credit Union, also had to keep its Carrs Branch in Eagle River closed on Monday.
“The branch and the store in which it is located suffered enough damage in the earthquake to remain closed” the credit union said in a prepared statement. “Denali will provide an update on its website, Facebook page and on Twitter after it determines a timeframe to reopen.”
The $7.5 billion Alaska USA Federal Credit Union said Monday its Anchorage and MatSu Valley branches have been inspected and reopened.
“We are appreciative for all of our patient and generous members. We have a lot to be thankful for,” Alaska USA posted on its Facebook site.
Kyler Howlett, president/CEO of the $122 million Northern Skies Federal Credit Union, also said Monday all of its branches are open.