BrightStar Credit Union Offers Hurricane Emergency Loan Program

Sunrise, FL – November 10, 2005 - BrightStar Credit Union, one of the largest credit unions in South Florida with more than 38,000 members, is now offering its members a Hurricane Emergency Loan Program (HELP), an unsecured loan to help members repair storm damage, pay insurance deductibles, buy a generator, or a variety of other hurricane-related items.

“Hurricane Wilma has had a tremendous impact on south Florida and we want to help members get back on their feet as quickly as possible. BrightStar Credit Union is here to help members weather the storm.” said Sam Chesser, Vice President of Marketing for BrightStar Credit Union.

BrightStar CU has lowered the interest rate on this special loan to 7.9% APR to make monthly payments more affordable. Members may borrow up to $5,000 and can also defer their first loan payment for up to 60 days.

In addition to offering members the HELP program, during the months of November and December, BrightStar CU is offering an automatic option to skip a credit card payment. BrightStar CU is also offering credit limit increases to qualifying members, as well as allowing members to defer other loan payments for one month if they have been adversely impacted by the hurricane.

BrightStar Credit Union is a non-profit, member-owned cooperative with more than 38,000 members in South Florida.  With a total of six branch locations in Broward County, BrightStar CU offers a variety of financial services including checking and savings accounts, personal, home equity and mortgage loans and investments and insurance. For more information, visit www.bscu.org.