Local bank helping federal workers without pay

Washington Federal a bank out of Seattle and all over the nation including Yuma is now offering 90-day interest-free loans for up to six paychecks for anyone who has been furloughed and isn’t receiving pay during the government shutdown.

“We will take existing and new customers and we are not running any type of a credit check,” said Gina Kutas, a banker with Washington Federal in Yuma. “It is an opportunity for us to come back in and help the people within our community.”

The bank will continue to offer the interest-free loan for as long as the shutdown occurs. The government shutdown will enter week five on Monday.

So far the branch here in Yuma has assisted 25 people. The location on 32 nd Street will be open on Saturday where it expects to have even more, according to Kutas.

“In our area, it is mostly border patrol, customs. But the airport people are it too and some federal employees in the court system have been affected too,” Kutis said.

The senior management felt that the company was in a positive place to offer these specific loans according to Kutas. “We firmly believe being invested in our community,” she said.