Hurricane Sandy: New Jersey's Largest Credit Union Still Shuttered

The 15 branches of Affinity Federal Credit Union, New Jersey’s largest credit union, remained closed Wednesday and its online banking service also was not available, according to a notice on its website.

Based in Basking Ridge, N.J., the $2.2 billion, 135,000-member credit union also said its regular 800 number is not operational. However, a new toll free number, 866-654-4588, has been posted for members to call.

“We will continue to post updates on our website as new information becomes available,” Affinity’s statement reads. “We apologize for the inconvenience.”

New Jersey has been devastated by the hurricane, now known as Superstorm Sandy. According to national media reports, power has been restored to nearly 600,000 customers in New Jersey, but more than 2.6 million still were without power on Wednesday.

However, other New Jersey credit unions were beginning to re-open Wednesday, the New Jersey Credit Union League said.

“In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, New Jersey credit unions are slowly recovering from power outages and damages, some even now open and operational,” NJCUL President/CEO Paul Gentile said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

“Many are still conducting ACH and online transactions even if their offices and branches are closed, and are encouraging their members to use online and mobile banking in the meantime,” Gentile said.