Responding to Uncertain Times
By Jennifer Esperanza, Senior Director of Organizational Culture and Strategy
November 1, 2025
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Imagine this: Ray, a mid-level analyst at a federal agency, was recently furloughed during the government shutdown. With his paycheck on hold, he’s growing anxious about how he’ll cover his mortgage, car payment, and everyday expenses. He’s been cutting back on unnecessary expenses and avoiding calls from his loan servicer. Recently, he visited the local food bank for groceries—something he thought a middle-class professional like himself would never have to do.
A longtime member of a credit union, Ray is unaware that his credit union actually offers special relief programs for members like himself: skip-a-loan-payment options, low-interest emergency loans, and automatic fee waivers. If he knew these were available, perhaps Ray’s financial anxiety can be eased and his finances could be stabilized until his job resumes. Yet like many government workers, Ray assumes his only option is to wait it out in silence.
As the financial strains of a government shutdown continue to impact everyone from federal employees, to contractors, and households dependent on government assistance (WIC, SNAP, SSI, etc.), credit unions frequently offer specialized assistance programs to help community members in times of financial need. But to what extent are we being proactive about explicitly naming these financial stressors and showing our members that their credit union offers specific forms of relief? In other words, it’s important to keep in mind that not everyone “knows what they don’t know.”
Shame, guilt, and even a “I can handle this by myself” attitude can also delay a member’s chances see their credit unions as relief providers. While all credit unions offer varying products and services, now is the time to explicitly showcase offerings such as Emergency or Relief Loans (no-interest or low-interest loans for a short term); Skip-a-Payment Options that allow members to skip a payment on existing loans (auto or personal) loans or credit cards without a fee.; Fee Waivers that waive or refund overdraft; Early Withdrawl (CDs or share certificates) and Increased Credit Limits on a credit card.
Peninsula Credit Union in Washington state is just one example of how credit unions have are being proactive about identifying forms of assistance for members affected by the government shutdown. They’ve shown responsiveness by having a dedicated webpage and Instagram posts that have proactively shown support for those affected by the government shutdown. Coopera Consulting also offers advice on the best way to reach a wide variety of demographics in ways that show compassion, cultural sensitivity, and can empower members like Ray to thrive even through uncertain times.