WAMu to Provide Financial Assistance to Help So CA Residents, Customers
Washington Mutual, Inc. on Thursday announced it will provide special assistance to help customers and residents living in federally declared disaster areas affected by the fires in Southern California.
The company’s disaster relief program includes alternate loan payment plans and suspension of late charges and credit reporting on loans. Customers affected by the fire may be eligible for reduced interest on home equity lines of credit.
The bank will also waive certain CD withdrawal penalties and reimburse customers for fees charged for ATM use.
WaMu is donating a total of $500,000 to assist recovery efforts in the affected counties. The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army will be recipients of $100,000 each. Grants in the amount of $200,000 will go to local nonprofits, including $100,000 to the San Diego Foundation’s “After the Fires Fund.” Finally, WaMu will match employee donations to California fire relief up to a total of $100,000.
The company is also encouraging customers to donate to nonprofits of their choice. Donations to the American Red Cross, for instance, can be made very conveniently online at www.redcross.org.
“We’re very concerned about the impact of these fires on Southern California,” said Kerry Killinger, WaMu’s chief executive. “We know that the lives of many of our customers and employees have been affected by this disaster and its aftermath. We’re working as a company to help our communities recover quickly.”
Seven California counties comprise the federally declared disaster area -- Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura. WaMu customers living in these areas who wish to inquire about the company’s disaster relief programs should call the bank’s customer care phone lines or visit their local retail banking store or home loan center.
About WaMu
WaMu, through its subsidiaries, is one of the nation’s leading consumer and small business banks. At September 30, 2007, WaMu and its subsidiaries had assets of $330.11 billion. The company has a history dating back to 1889, and its subsidiary banks currently operate nearly 2,700 consumer and small business banking stores throughout the nation. WaMu’s press releases are available at http://newsroom.wamu.com.
Published on October 26, 2007
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