Lockheed Federal Credit Union (LFCU) announced that it is offering members assistance through its Disaster Relief Program.

"Lockheed Federal Credit Union is here to help our members affected by the fire. During this difficult time, we want to relieve LFCU members of at least some financial stress, so they can focus on rebuilding their lives," said Dave Styler, President and CEO at LFCU. "In addition to our good wishes and prayers, we can help members get back on their feet with practical steps that remove some of the financial pain of this disaster."

LFCU's Disaster Relief Program provides assistance to members impacted by disasters and casualty losses, such as the fires sweeping the Southland.

LFCU is committed to providing such assistance whether the disaster is regional (such as an earthquake, wildfire, or flood), or a casualty loss isolated to an individual member's household (e.g., a single structure fire). Relief will be provided in the form of:

- Low interest rate disaster relief loans
- Loan payment deferrals
- Waiver of penalties associated with early withdrawal of CD funds
- Waiver of fees associated with replacing debit cards, credit cards, and checks

In addition to its Disaster Relief Program, LFCU is updating members about branch availability and services at (800) 328-LFCU and at www.lfcu.com.

"We have three branches located in the Santa Clarita Valley, staffed with employees ready and willing to help. We understand that access to funds and financial assistance is important to SCV residents during this time of crisis," said James Davis, director of sales, Division II, at LFCU.

More than 9,000 Lockheed Federal Credit Union members are residents of the Santa Clarita Valley, where Lockheed Federal Credit Union (LFCU) operates three branches - Valencia Bouquet Canyon, Valencia Town Center and Stevenson Ranch.

In 2006 and 2007, Santa Clarita residents selected LFCU as the best credit union in the area, as reported by the Santa Clarita Valley Living Magazine.

LFCU recently received a five-star rating - the highest possible - from Bauer Financial, a source for unbiased, independent bank and credit union star ratings.

The five-star rating validates that LFCU is safe, financially sound and operating well above its regulatory capital requirements.

Chartered in 1937, LFCU has more than 100,000 members. Membership is open to Southern California residents of more than 200 sponsor companies. Deposits in LFCU are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. LFCU is an equal housing lender.

For more information about LFCU, visit www.lfcu.com.