For the second time in four days the extreme winter weather ismaking it tough for credit unions to get off to a fast start in theNew Year.

On Monday, numerous credit unions across the nation were forcedto close branches because of brutal, life-threatening subzerotemperatures generated by the Polar Vortex. Last Friday, somecredit unions had to shut down offices or delay opening branchesafter a winter storm,Hercules, dumped one foot of snow or more throughout somestates in the Midwest and Northeast, making road conditionsdangerous.

During the deep freeze on Monday, which continues to grip mostof the nation Tuesday, credit unions posted notices of branchclosings on their websites, as well as their Facebook and Twitterpages.

While some credit unions apologized for branch closures, memberswho posted comments on Facebook sites supported their creditunion's decision.

For example, the $939 million FORUM Credit Union in Fishers,Ind., where the Monday afternoon temperature plummeted to minus 10degrees below zero with a wind chill of minus 31, the cooperativeapologized to members for closing the branches but explained thatthe safety of its employees and members is important, according toa FORUM CU Facebook post.

Nonetheless, FORUM member Myna Pettit Allison Dowden wrote:“Thank you for thinking of your people. That, above all, is what ismost important. Even more important than money.”

More than 30 people “liked” Dowden's comment.

FORUM CU announced Tuesday morning that is would be opening itsbranches but not until 10 a.m.

Also shutting down its branches was the $416 million Vibe Credit Union in Novi, Mich., where Monday temps plunged to5 below zero with a wind chill of minus 31.

“Thank you Vibe!” wrote member Dawn Stieve Jozefowicz on creditunion's Facebook page. “Setting a great example by keepingemployees safe.”

The Arctic's bitter cold blast even reached the deep southernstates that forced the $1.3 billion Associated Credit Union in Norcross, Ga., to close theirbranches early at 4:30 p.m. The temperature at noon in Atlanta wasonly 17 on Monday, about 35 degrees lower than the average Januaryhigh of 52, according to the Weather Channel.

Because of the subnormal temps, the credit union said itsbranches would not open until 10 a.m. Tuesday. They normally openat 8 a.m.

Credit Union Association of New York Communications DirectorMindi Schwab said many member credit unions in the Buffalo/Niagararegion were closed Tuesday due to severe weather. On Facebookalone, CUANY found closed branch notices messages from eight creditunions that have locations in the area, she said.

Read more: Wisconsin credit union mockssubzero temps …

Other credit unions were open in areas in the Polar Vortex, likethe $2.3 billion Landmark Credit Union in New Berlin, Wis., which open on Mondayand offered winter safety tips for members on its Facebook site.The $14.6 million South West Communities Credit Union in Carnegie,Pa., passed on information to members that a local police stationwas opening as a “warm center” for anyone who lost power in theirhomes.

The $1.3 billion Royal Credit Union in Eau Claire, Wis., also had its branchesoperating in Wisconsin and Minnesota despite both states recordingsome of the lowest temperatures in the nation Monday.

Because folks in Wisconsin and Minnesota are used to very coldweather, Royal CU took the opportunity to post a humorous“Wisconsin Poem” on its Facebook site:

It's Winter in Wisconsin

And the gentle breezes blow.

Seventy miles an hour,

At thirty-five below.

Oh, how I love Wisconsin,

When the snow's up to our butt.

You take a breath of winter air

And your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful

So I guess I'll hang around

I could never leave Wisconsin,

'Cause I'm frozen to the ground!

The temperature in Eau Claire Tuesday morning was 19 below zerowith a wind chill of 36 below zero, according to the WeatherChannel.