Minneapolis Riots Force Credit Union Branch Closures
Some credit unions report minor damage to property.
Just as credit unions were opening or preparing to open branch lobbies after stay-at-home orders expired on May 19 in Minnesota, several credit unions were forced to shut down their branch lobbies again because of riots that erupted in Minneapolis following the death of a black man while in police custody on Monday.
“We’re saddened by the current events and believe everyone in our community deserves to feel protected and safe,” the $2.5 billion Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union in St. Paul said in statement Friday. “To ensure the safety of our employees, Affinity Plus closed early at two of its branches yesterday (Thursday) afternoon at University Avenue in Minneapolis and in Roseville. The University Avenue Branch continues to be closed and we plan to reopen on Monday. So far among our 28 branches across the state of Minnesota, the only damage from protests has been an ATM machine near the capitol in St. Paul. Several branches in those areas were already closed due to COVID-19. The safety of our employees and members remains our top priority. “
According to social media and website posts, other credit unions that temporarily closed their branches in Minneapolis on Friday included the $1.4 billion Firefly Credit Union in Burnsville, the $921 million City & County Credit Union in St. Paul, the $1.3 billion HiWay Federal Credit Union in St. Paul and $126 million Associated Health Care Credit Union in St. Paul.
A Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, was charged Friday with third-degree murder and manslaughter, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said Friday.
Video broadcast on local and national news reports showed Chauvin kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, who was handcuffed and died after saying he could not breathe. The incident has sparked days of violent and destructive protests in Minneapolis and other cities across the U.S.