Controller announces lines of credit available to Californians

   State Controller John Chiang announced Tuesday an agreement with several financial institutions to provide lines of credit to Californians impacted by the state's historic cash crunch, which has forced the Controller's Office to delay $3.5 billion in payments during February.  The following institutions together pledged at least $22.4 million to meet the needs of their affected customers:
   Alliance Credit Union -- $250,000.
   American First Credit Union -- $1 million.
   Cal State L.A. Credit Union -- $1 million.
   Central State Credit Union -- $1 million.
   Firestone Financial Services Credit Union -- $100,000.
   First Entertainment Credit Union -- $5 million.
   Health Associates Federal Credit Union -- $300,000.
   SF Police Credit Union -- $250,000.
   Stanford Federal Credit Union -- $5 million.
   Visterra Credit Union -- $1 million.
   Water and Power Community Credit Union -- $7.5 million.
   Other banks and credit unions have indicated they will provide lines of credit and other short-term borrowing solutions on a case-by-case basis to those affected by the state's cash crisis.
   The controller's Web site will continue to be updated with new payment information as it becomes available, officials said. Information: <NO1>Online at www.sco.ca.gov">http://<NO>www.sco.ca.gov