First Commerce Credit Union Rallies to Support South Georgia with Hurricane Idalia Recovery

First Commerce Credit Union (FCCU) quickly jumped into action to help feed fellow credit union and community members in the days following Hurricane Idalia. Team members hosted two cookouts, serving more than 1,000 meals in Nashville and Valdosta, Ga.

Just two days after Hurricane Idalia impacted South Georgia, First Commerce team members set up a hurricane relief cookout in Nashville, serving fresh grilled hotdogs and hamburgers, along with chips and cold drinks for free. Then, the following Tuesday after Labor Day, First Commerce set up another cookout adjacent to the insurance claims village in Valdosta. One team member shared that several people they encountered had lost their homes, and many were struggling to feed their families during widespread power outages and the financial setbacks caused by the storm.

First Commerce also took additional steps to help members focus on their own storm recovery efforts. The credit union posted $43 million in direct deposits early to ensure members’ payrolls were uninterrupted and available to assist them with storm preparation and evacuation costs. Additionally, fees for non-sufficient funds and courtesy pay were waived in the week around the storm, saving members nearly $50,000, while waiving late fees on consumer loans saved members approximately $11,000. All ATM fees were also refunded for nearly a week, which allowed members to safely access their funds from any location without having to worry about paying a fee to FCCU. Also, recognizing that many members spent funds for storm supplies and post-storm clean up, qualifying members were offered the option to defer their monthly loan payment at no charge.

“First Commerce is deeply committed to our members while investing in transforming the communities we serve,” said Cecilia Homison, First Commerce CEO. “I am incredibly proud of how our team quickly acted to demonstrate the credit union spirit of people helping people in such meaningful ways for our members and our communities.”

For more information on how First Commerce supports our members and the communities we serve every day, visit FirstCommerceCU.org.

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Established in 1940, First Commerce is a full-service, not-for-profit credit union with locations across North Florida and South Georgia. We are a member-owned cooperative and committed to the communities we serve. Our purpose is to empower people to enhance their financial well-being by helping them achieve their financial goals – whether it’s simplifying their day-to-day finances, buying their first car or home, or building a great retirement. When you bank with First Commerce, you get a truly personal experience backed by 80 years of financial expertise.