Credit union donates Satellite phones

PSECU donates satellite phones to assist two Bahamian institutions

HARRISBURG >> Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas just over one month ago — leaving injuries, death and massive damage in its wake.

To help aid in the recovery, PSECU recently donated a collection of satellite phones to the World Council of Credit Unions — the global trade association and development platform for credit unions.

The 25 Iridium 9505A devices, valued at approximately $12,000, will be repurposed by the organization to support its global disaster recovery and development projects.

“Dorian caused a lot of damage to credit unions in The Bahamas — specifically on the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco,” Brian Branch, World Council of Credit Unions president and CEO, said in a statement. “According to our members, much of the communications infrastructure on those islands has been destroyed. These phones will allow credit unions to communicate with staff throughout the recovery process.”

The World Council of Credit Unions is currently sending aid to two credit unions that are looking to rebuild in Grand Bahama. The credit unions have received a six-month grant to rebuild and reopen their businesses, according to Mike Reuter, executive director, Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions — the charitable arm of the World Council of Credit Unions.

The Iridium 9505A satellite phones donated by PSECU are light, compact, water, dust and shock-resistant communication devices that work on the Iridium network. They are data-capable, include two-way global SMS and 21 supported menu languages, can be used hands-free, and maintain approximately 30 hours of standby time/3.5 hours of talk time with each charge, according to a press release. The Iridium 9505A phone is used by emergency personnel, first responders, government agencies and remote travelers.

“As a digital-first credit union, we’re focused on harnessing technology to provide our more than 450,000 members with the best quality products and services possible. Staying at the forefront of advancements is an important part of

this commitment, so we’re continually updating and replacing our resources and infrastructure,” PSECU President George Rudolph, said in a statement, adding that while the phones are no longer used by PSECU, “we know that they’d be valuable tools to support the World Council of Credit Unions’ life-saving disaster recovery and development projects around the world.”

The first disbursement of funds came just days after Hurricane Dorian struck, to help credit unions provide members and staff with emergency supplies, and were part of the World Council of Credit Unions’ Project Storm Break.

The goal of Project Storm Break is to provide disaster relief aid to credit unions after their financial institution has been damaged or disrupted by a natural disaster, according to Reuter.

“Credit unions are built on the philosophy of people helping people and historically when a natural disaster strikes and affects other credit unions, their communities and members, their peers worldwide pitch in the help. It’s who they are and it’s in their DNA,” he added.

Donations have come from credit unions and individuals worldwide, Reuter said, adding that the Worldwide Foundation’s disaster relief fund is always open and active. Any institution or individual that wants to donate can visit www.doglobalgood.org.

For more information about World Council of Credit Unions visit www. woccu.org.

With its headquarters in Harrisburg, PSECU has more than 450,000 members and $5.5 billion in assets. The credit union, which has 500 employees, was founded in 1934.

For more information about PSECU visit www. psecu.com.

SUBMITTED PHOTO PSECU President George Rudolph is shown with several of the 25 satellite phones the credit union recently donated to the World Council of Credit Unions. The phones are being used by several credit union in the Bahamas, as part of recovery efforts following Hurricane Dorian.

SUBMITTED PHOTO PSECU recently donated satellite telephones to the World Council of Credit Unions to be used in response to Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas. The Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions quickly delivered several of the PSECU-donated satellite phones to The Bahamas Cooperative League Ltd. From there, the phones will be shared with individual credit unions for use.