Despite the economic crisis continuing within many larger lending institutions, Butler County credit union officials assured their members most financial woes are not affecting them.

County credit union leaders believe their institutions are in good financial shape because they avoided the variable mortgage loans and other risky lending ventures.

County credit union executives point to the insurance of accounts by the National Credit Union Association and the federal government's increased protection of accounts up to $250,000 with the recently approved bailout package as factors strengthening already strong membership account protections.

"We've literally had members calling us worrying that maybe they should stash their money under their mattress at home, rather than keep it in a credit union account," said Patti Columbe, treasurer and chief executive officer for Keystone United Methodist Federal Credit Union in Cranberry Township.

The 2,000-plus member Keystone United Methodist Federal Credit Union serves all United Methodist and United Methodist Churches in Western Pennsylvania.

"What many people don't understand is that a credit union is not only governed, but is also insured by the National Credit Union Association."

Columbe also added a federal bill passed recently extends protection to the $250,000 limit as part of the federal government's bailout package.

"The volume of calls we've received inquiring about loans has gone up considerably in the past few weeks," said Columbe. "Because we use a responsible, risk-based lending model, we are still able to work with our members to help them achieve their financial goals."

Jeff Smith, manager of the Freedom United Federal Credit Union in Northgate Plaza in Jackson Township said the credit union has received some calls from its more than 6,500 members about concerns over their accounts.

"We've been telling them it is best to stay the course. It's really business as usual here," Smith said.

"We've been advising members that wherever you have money, make sure it is insured," said Randy Cypher, manager of the Butler Armco Employees Credit Union, which has about 19,000 members.

"We have an excellent membership who pay their bills. They take care of the credit union, and the credit union takes care of them."

Keith Warcup, chief executive officer for the 3,000-member Slippery Rock University Federal Credit Union, said individuals have been asking some questions about the insurance of their accounts and their 401(k) retirement investments.

Warcup said the credit union is having a good year and — like many larger banks — hasn't been involved in the variable interest mortgage lending that got so many traditional banks in trouble.

As for the 401(k) accounts, Warcup said he doesn't give any financial advice because he is not a financial adviser.

He added some members have chosen to move their retirement investments into Individual Retirement Accounts that have fixed rates of return rather than relying on the currently unstable stock markets.