Looking back five years ago finds America and the world reeling as America's sense of invincibility to foreign attack on U.S. soil was shaken to the core when terrorists struck on Sept. 11.

The tragic terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center, a pillar of America's economic might, and the Pentagon, a monument to America's military power, and the United Airlines Flight 93 plane crash in Pennsylvania, left a nation stunned and looking for answers.

Facilities of two credit unions, XCEL Federal Credit Union and New Jersey Federal Credit Union, located at the World Trade Center were completely destroyed by the terrorist attacks.

Like many that day, credit unions throughout the country rallied to help the nation begin the healing process.

The New York CU Foundation established a fund to help victims of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. According to NYCUF Executive Director Frank Kerbein the fund will provide "whatever financial and emotional support we can for those credit unions including their staff and volunteers that have been affected."

"I am saddened by today's national tragedy," acting NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this tragedy. In activating the NCUA disaster relief policy, we will coordinate the delivery of any necessary resources and assistance for all federally-chartered and/or federally-insured credit unions which may be required as a result of this incident."