Hardship & Strike Assistance
We're Here to Help!
Work stoppages or gaps in employment can affect people in many different ways, and we are here to help you navigate the current strike with as little impact as possible on your finances.
If Hardship Hits
Skip-A-Pay
First Entertainment's Skip-A-Pay program3 enables eligible members to defer a monthly payment on their Auto or Personal Loan without impacting their credit rating. Contact us today to find out if you qualify for this convenient program.
Emergency Relief Loan
Apply for a special Emergency Relief Loan with autopay from a First Entertainment Checking Account and receive a rate as low as 6.99% APR4.
- No payment for 90 days5
- Terms of 24 or 36 months
- No application fee or prepayment penalties
Stretch Loans
Say goodbye to expensive payday loans and hello to a low-cost alternative. Cover unexpected expenses and bills and easily bridge the gap between paychecks. Apply now for the funds you need when you need them.6
Deferred Credit Card Payments
Visa® credit card payment deferments are possible upon approval. Contact us today to find out if you qualify for this convenient program.
Resources At Any Time
We've Got Your Back!
If you're a First Entertainment member experiencing financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances, please contact us via Secure Message or by calling 888.800.3328 (option 2, then press 2 again) during regular business hours. We're here to help.
Entertainment Industry Resources7
When a strike is compounded by other unexpected life experiences like illness or injury, these entertainment industry resources may offer support.
Entertainment Community Fund: Offers free social services programs for people in entertainment, including emergency financial assistance and counseling.
SAG-AFTRA Foundation: Provides emergency financial assistance programs and support services to eligible SAG-AFTRA members in urgent financial need.
Motion Picture and Television Fund: MPTF members are eligible for needs-based temporary financial assistance as well as mental and physical wellness.
Behind the Scenes Grant: Offers entertainment technology professionals a Basic Needs Grant and a Counseling Grant for mental health services.
Broadcasters Foundation of America: Monthly grants offered for those in broadcasting with financial need due to illness, accident, age, or other misfortune.
Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation: The Pioneers Assistance Fund provides financial assistance and counseling services to theatrical exhibition and distribution workers experiencing hardship due to illness, accident, or underemployment.
GreenPath Financial Wellness
GreenPath's mission makes them different. GreenPath set a bold goal to build a new financial culture and system to work for everyone. Their guiding principle is to put people at the center of everything they do. GreenPath offers free, one-on-one financial counseling, debt management services, and financial education tools for First Entertainment members.8
Financial Education Center
Build financial resilience with helpful articles customized for our members, including many that provide guidance during unexpected challenges, such as “Budgeting During a Crisis (Financial or Otherwise)” and “Manage Your Loans During Difficult Times.”
1 All loans are subject to credit approval, not all members will qualify. All Credit Union loan programs, rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice.
2 APR = Annual Percentage Rate. 0.00% Introductory APR for twelve (12) months from the date of Account opening when purchases are completed within ninety (90) days of Account opening. 0.00% Introductory APR for twelve (12) months from the date of Balance Transfer when Balance Transfers are completed within ninety (90) days of Account opening. After the introductory rate period ends, your APR for purchases and Balance Transfers will be 14.49% - 22.15% for Visa Platinum; 15.99% - 23.65% for Preferred Cash Visa; and 18.99% - 27.15% for Spotlight Visa, based on your creditworthiness. This APR will vary with the market, based on the Prime Rate, as published in the Wall Street Journal. A 3% Balance Transfer fee will apply to each Balance Transfer transaction. Cash Advance transactions are subject to a Cash Advance Fee of 3% of the amount of the advance, which is posted to the Account during the billing cycle, or $5.00, whichever is greater. Additional fees and charges may apply. All loans are subject to credit approval. For complete details, please refer to the Visa Interest and Fee Information disclosure.
3 A minimum of six (6) consecutive, timely loan payments must be made prior to the first allowable Skip-A-Pay. If approved, and once the fee is collected, the payment due date is advanced one month. The regular monthly payment amount remains the same. The next scheduled payment will include interest for two (2) months, the interest due for the month skipped, and the currently accrued interest.
4 APR = Annual Percentage Rate. 6.99% APR is the preferred rate for the Emergency Relief Loan for amounts from $500 to $5,000 with a two (2) year term. Monthly payment per $1,000 for 24 months at 6.99% APR is $44.77. Your rate will be 8.99% APR without autopay from a First Entertainment Checking Account. Monthly payment per $1,000 for 24 months at 8.99% APR is $45.68. 7.99% APR is the preferred rate for the Emergency Relief Loan for amounts from $500 to $5,000 with a three (3) year term. Monthly payment per $1,000 for 36 months at 7.99% APR is $31.33. Your rate will be 9.99% APR without autopay from a First Entertainment Checking Account. Monthly payment per $1,000 for 36 months at 9.99% APR is $32.26. These payment examples are for illustration purposes only. Your actual payment may vary. Not all members will qualify for the preferred rate or the Emergency Relief Loan. Loan proceeds will be deposited into your First Entertainment Checking Account. Must provide proof of impact due to the current strike. All Credit Union loan programs, rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. Loan proceeds may not be used to refinance existing First Entertainment Credit Union loans.
5 90-Day No Payment offer is optional and applies to qualified borrowers on Emergency Relief Loans. Interest will accrue from the date of loan disbursal. Other terms and conditions may apply.
6 All Stretch Loans are subject to credit approval, not all members will qualify. Only Primary members may request a Stretch Loan; Joint members are not eligible. Loan terms are 35-days for amounts of $200 and $400 and have application fees of $15 and $22, respectively. The 35-day Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for a $378 loan with a $22 application fee would be 60.70%. The 35-day APR for a $185 loan with a $15 application fee would be 84.56%. A payment reminder will be e-mailed to the member seven (7) days prior to the loan due date. If not paid by the due date, a $15 Late Fee will be assessed. A Late Notice will be sent via e-mail four (4) days after the due date. Failure to pay the loan will result in loss of services. Funds are advanced immediately, thus requiring an immediate signature on the Note and Disclosure Statement. Members may only have one (1) Stretch Loan at a time and are limited to four (4) consecutive Stretch Loans within a 6-month period. When this occurs, the member may be eligible for the Next Step Loan. Call us at (888) 800-3328 for additional information.
7 First Entertainment Credit Union is not affiliated with the organizations listed nor any of their related products or services. Resources are provided for informational purposes only.
8 Information is provided by GreenPath Financial Wellness and is not associated with, or guaranteed by, First Entertainment Credit Union