By SF Fire Credit Union
April 24, 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Update

We understand that members may have concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact it might have on our ability to maintain the service levels you need and expect from us. As you know, the circumstances around the pandemic are changing rapidly. With this in mind, and paying attention to the guidelines from local, state, and national health agencies, we are constantly assessing and adapting to the pandemic to promote the well-being of members and staff alike.

Protecting the Wellness of Members & Employees

The health and wellness of our members, employees, and community are important to us. The Credit Union has implemented heightened levels of cleaning and sanitation practices during this time. We're continuing to promote and enable good safety-related hygiene habits with our employees; we are also monitoring their health and have largely transitioned to a remote, work-from-home workforce.

Solutions for Pandemic Related Hardship

We understand that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the Shelter-in-Place Orders have an impact on your daily lives, and may affect your ability to work. In these already stressful times, we’re here to provide solutions for any pandemic related financial hardships you may face in the coming weeks or months.

For more information, click here.

California Street & Stonestown Hours, Social Distancing, & Mask Requirements

We've resumed normal operating hours at our California Street and Stonestown branches.

The branches will be open from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Saturdays from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM.

We will continue with social distancing practices, which include limiting the number of members inside our branch at one time and asking them to remain a distance of six feet from other members while inside.

All visitors will be required to wear masks while inside the branch, per the requirements of the City and County of San Francisco for all "essential businesses."

We will have employees managing the entrance to the branch, and thank you for your patience and cooperation with these efforts.

Temporary Closures of Mint Plaza, & Pacifica Branches

Our membership is doing its part to ‘flatten the curve’ of this pandemic, as evident in the dramatic decrease in the number of visitors to our branches. In light of this, and our desire to better deploy staffing resources to the non-branch support channels members are now utilizing, we have made the following changes: effective Monday, April 6th our Mint Plaza and Pacifica Branches will be temporarily closed until further updates from state and local authorities.

Possible Impact on Service Levels

As the credit union adapts to operating in the midst of the pandemic, we appreciate your understanding should you see an impact on service in our branches, speed to answer calls, or the processing of loans.

 

SBA (Small Business Administration) Paycheck Protection Program

The credit union is aware of the Small Business Administration (SBA) receiving additional lending authority for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  Those who previously submitted a PPP application have been contacted via email, to resume the application process.  We are unable to accept new applications, as our priority will be to fund as many of our current applications as possible in this new round of PPP funding.

To learn more, click here.

CARES Act Economic Relief Payments

Payments for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act are beginning to ramp up, and we’d like to help you better understand the program and its payments.

To learn more, click here.

"Branch Free" Access to Accounts & Cash

We realize that members who usually prefer to visit a branch may wish to avoid retail-type locations to minimize contact with other people. We'd like to remind you of the "Branch-Free" ways that you can access your accounts and cash:

Contact Center

Our Contact Center is available from 7 am to 8 pm, Monday through Saturday, and can assist you with a majority of the transactions normally performed at a Branch – or advise you on the non-branch alternative methods which are available.

Getting Cash with ATM Rebates

Use any ATM available, anywhere. SF Fire Credit Union automatically rebates up to 12 ATM surcharges per month (up to $4 per individual ATM surcharge), and has no "out-of-network" ATM fee. If you're concerned about cleanliness, it might be prudent to sanitize your hands after using any ATM machine.

Online & Mobile Banking

Let's not forget about the wide range of tools available via Online and Mobile Banking. You can deposit checks, transfer funds between accounts, make payments to your loans, apply for loans, and more.

Secured Messaging

For any non-urgent issues which do not require immediate assistance, you can use Secured Messaging in Online & Mobile Banking to conduct your business: submitting wire transfers, disputing transactions, filing a travel notification, and more.

To learn more about Secured Messaging, click here.

To login and send a message, click here.

 

 

Safe, Sound, and Here for the Long Haul

Members may have concerns about the safety and soundness of their credit union. Rest assured that we are well-equipped to navigate the negative impact that the pandemic has on the economy, as we have ample capital reserves.

Keep Informed on the COVID-19 Virus

Members who want to learn more about the COVID-19 Virus should visit the website for the Center for Disease Control (CDC).