Empower Coronavirus COVID-19 Update

During these challenging times, Empower is here for our Members. To offer some relief for existing loan payments, we have launched a Member Assistance Payment Extension program. If you have a current loan with us, you may be allowed to extend payments for 90 days (interest will continue to accrue), excluding revolving and mortgage loan products. If a payment extension would help your family’s budget, please login to online banking to submit your request through the message center to Collections.

For Loans including Mortgage and Home Equities we are offering a Member Assistance Payment Forbearance program. If you have a current loan with us, you may be allowed to forbear payments for 90 days (interest will continue to accrue). If forbearing a payment would help your family’s budget, please login to online banking to submit your request through the message center to Collections.

As always, the health, safety, and well-being of our members, our staff, and our community is of paramount concern. We will continue to monitor this quickly evolving situation closely.

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Effective 11/6/20:

Our 515 Erie Blvd West branch LOBBY is temporarily CLOSED. This location is open for Drive Thru only. Other branch locations nearby with open lobbies: Western Lights Plaza (4729 Onondaga Blvd – no Sat. hours), Green Hills (5933 South Salina St), and Fairmount (3700 W. Genesee St).

Effective 11/9/2020:

Our Fayetteville branch is temporarily CLOSED. We will reopen 11/10/2020 offering Drive Thru service only at this location. Other nearby branch location: Chittenango (278 Genesee St). 

These measures have been taken for the health and safety of our employees and members. We apologize for the inconvenience

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Dear Member,

I am excited to announce that as of June 22nd Empower branch lobbies will be open for in-person full service. All transaction types can now be completed in our lobbies. 
 
In order to serve you safely you will see some changes such as:

• New sneeze guards have been installed in all branches 
• Employees and members must wear masks
• To properly social distance, we are limiting the number of members allowed entry into the branch at any one time 

 
In addition to all enhanced remote access options remaining available to you, our talented branch employees are eager for your visit. We are committed to you and your financial needs. On behalf of the entire Empower team, thank you for your patience, support and cooperation as together we embrace our new normal.
 
Our Syracuse VA and National Grid Branches remain closed due to facility restrictions. We will keep you updated on their status. If you have any questions, please contact our call center representatives during normal hours between 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday and Saturday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Call 315.477.2200 or toll free at 800.462.5000. 
  
Sincerely,
John Wakefield, President/CEO

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Dear Member,

Empower Federal Credit Union will be reopening two more branch lobbies today. Our Green Hills Farm Branch will open today for all services. The lobby at our Chittenango Branch will be open for non-teller transactions only. The drive-thru lanes will continue to be used there for teller transactions.
 
We will require all members and employees to wear face masks before entering any branch lobby and we will be limiting the number of members allowed entry at any one time.
 
This fifth stage of the “phase-in” approach brings the total number of lobbies open to twenty-three. Our hope remains to have all branch lobbies open soon. 
 
For more detailed information on the reopening phased in process, please visit https://www.empowerfcu.com/branchaccess. If you have any questions, please contact our call center representatives during normal hours between 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday and Saturday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The number to call is either 315.477.2200 or toll free at 800.462.5000. 
 
Thank you for your continued patience, support and cooperation.
  
Sincerely,
John Wakefield, President/CEO
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Dear Member,

We are pleased to inform you Empower Federal Credit Union will be reopening branch lobbies over the next month in a “phased in” approach under the recently granted approval provided by our regional governmental authorities and the Governor of New York.
                                                                                
Starting May 20, 2020 we have reopened the lobbies at all four of our Oswego County branch locations and our one Palatine Bridge branch location for non-teller based transactional services. Non-teller based transactions include opening an account, applying for a loan and other services usually handled by member service representatives. For the branches with drive-thru capabilities, we will continue to serve members for teller-based transactions through our drive-thru teller lanes only. For the branches among the five reopening today without drive-thru capabilities, we will be reopening their lobbies for teller-based transactions too, but limiting the number of members allowed entry at any one time.
 
Subject to continued government permission, we will be reopening more branch lobbies for non-teller transactions as we phase in more each Wednesday over the next few weeks. We hope to have all the branch lobbies open by mid-June.
 
As expected by governmental authorities, we will require all members and employees to mandatorily wear face masks before entering any branch lobby to prevent potential spread of the coronavirus. We will also make available hand sanitizing liquid for use by all. You will note as you revisit our branches we have outfitted them with sneeze guards at the greeter stations and in employee offices. Please also be patient while our employees clean their work areas after serving another member.
 
For more detailed information on the reopening phased in process, please visit https://www.empowerfcu.com/branchaccess as more branch lobby locations are expected to be reopened. If you have any questions, please contact our call center representatives during normal hours between 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday and Saturday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The number to call is either 315.477.2200 or toll free at 800.462.5000.

Thank you for your support and cooperation as we continue to evaluate and make decisions based on the safety and well-being of our employees, members and communities that we serve. Please bear with us as we make the transition from the lockdown to reopening our branches for your service, safety and convenience.

We wish all the best to you and your family.
 
Sincerely,
 
John Wakefield, President/CEO
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Dear Member,

For the health and safety of our members and employees, the Empower Federal Credit Union Annual Meeting has been postponed. We are continually monitoring updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and health guidelines from both State and National governmental agencies regarding the pandemic and we will reschedule the meeting when conditions allow. Once a new date has been determined, we will share that information with you.

To help prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), we have been serving members exclusively through the drive-thru teller lanes, call center, mail, night drop, and online message center. We encourage you to use our online and mobile banking services, including the app. With these tools, you can manage your accounts and complete transactions such as mobile check deposits, loan payments, bill payments, internal and external transfers and applying for a loan.

We are working diligently to minimize your drive-thru wait time. We are performing transactions that are not typically done at the drive-thru to accommodate our members, so there may be extended wait times. To make sure your experience at our drive-thru lanes goes smoothly, please have checks signed before reaching the window for service, instructions written out (including account number), and needed paperwork and ID ready for when it is your turn.

For your safety, no walk-up service is available at the drive-thru lanes. If you do not have a vehicle, contact us to discuss your options, one of which is our night drop service. Our representatives are available 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday and Saturday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm to answer your questions. Our website is another great source of information and is continually updated. It is important to reference https://www.empowerfcu.com to receive the most up-to-date information.

Finally, I’d like to remind you to be particularly careful to protect yourself from criminals who are using these troubling times to conduct fraud. Stimulus payments, financial hardship and an inability to come into a branch to talk to us directly are all factors that fraudsters may use to try to take advantage of you.  Always remember that if you receive an email, text message or phone call that looks or sounds like it is from Empower, but you were not expecting it, you should not answer any questions and not reply. Instead, call the credit union directly at 315.477.2200 or 800.462.5000 to explain what communication you received and verify its authenticity.  You can also visit our website for more information on common scams and how to protect yourself.

Thank you for your support and cooperation as we continue to make decisions based on the safety and well-being of the communities we serve.
 
We wish all the best to you and your family.
 
Sincerely,
John Wakefield, President/CEO
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Dear Member,

As an update to our efforts to serve you, we have added branch employees to our call center operations to handle the increase in call volume that we have experienced since Friday’s closure of our branch lobbies. Even though call volumes have increased, wait times continue to be reduced as more employees become available to answer member calls. Thank you for your patience.

Branch employees have been split into two shifts. While one shift manages drive-thru service at each applicable branch location, the second shift is being outfitted to take care of member calls and emails. We will rotate shifts on a regular schedule until health officials and the Governor inform us it is safe to return to normal operations. For employee safety purposes, almost all applicable employees will have the capability to work from home by next week.

Regarding call center assistance and loan applications by phone, our representatives are available normal hours 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday and Saturday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The number to call is either 315.477.2200 or toll free at 800.462.5000. In addition to our home banking, mobile app, call center and drive-thru services, we offer more than 55,000 surcharge-free Allpoint ATMs including Empower ATMs that are also free for members to use.

For members facing potential hardships, please contact our call center representatives to help you through these challenging times. Empower has always been available during past economic difficulties to help members in need through loan payment deferrals, fee waivers and loan assistance. As a financial institution, Empower is even stronger today than in the past to help members in need.

Finally, based upon urgent community needs, we have allocated all of our upcoming paid television and billboard advertising to the Food Bank of Central New York. If you would like to donate or need services from the Food Bank, please contact them directly as instructed below.

Thank you for being a member and stay safe!

John Wakefield, President/CEO

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Food Bank of Central New York works with a network of partner agencies—food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency shelters—to distribute food to individuals and families in need. During this unprecedented crisis, we ask you to take every precaution to stay at home.

However, if you need emergency food assistance, please call the Food Bank at 315-437-1899 for a referral to one of our partner agencies. If you want to support our work, please visit us at www.foodbankcny.org. 

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Dear Member, 

For the health and safety of our members and employees, Empower Federal Credit Union is temporarily adapting how we handle branch transactions. We have been monitoring, like you, updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and health guidelines from both State and National governmental agencies regarding the pandemic.

To help prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), we will serve members exclusively through our drive-thru teller lines beginning at the start of business on Friday, March 20th, 2020. Branches without drive-thru capabilities will be closed temporarily (Canandaigua VA and National Grid branches will close on Monday, March 23rd). Branch hours will remain the same and information is provided on our website for each branch. Branch lobby access will be made available by appointment only for limited services and instructions will be made available shortly.

Online and mobile banking services are available 24/7 either through our website or by downloading the Empower app in the Apple® App Store or Google Play™. Through the app, you can manage your accounts and complete transactions such as mobile check deposits, loan payments, bill payments, internal and external transfers and applying for a loan.

Regarding call center and loan applications by phone, our representatives are available normal hours 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday and Saturday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  The number to call is either 315.477.2200 or toll free at 800.462.5000.  In addition to our digital and call center services, we offer more than 55,000 surcharge-free Allpoint ATMs. And multiple Empower stand-alone ATMs are also free to members.

For members facing potential hardships, please contact our lending associates to help you through these difficult times. Empower has always been available during past economic difficulties to help members in need through loan payment deferrals, fee waivers and loan assistance. As a financial institution, Empower is even stronger today than in the past to help those members in need.

Thank you for your support and cooperation as we continue to make decisions based on the safety and well-being of the communities we serve. Please bear with us as we make the transition internally to remote service as almost all non-branch staff will be working securely and safely from home by this weekend.

Finally, be aware of scams regarding the pandemic as cybercriminals will be active during this time of uncertainty. We also encourage you to be mindful of your surroundings when in public, and we will continue to share additional information as it becomes available at https://www.empowerfcu.com/security.  For more information regarding the virus pandemic itself, please refer to the cdc.gov website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/.

We wish all the best to you and your family.

Sincerely,
John Wakefield, President/CEO

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Dear Valued Member, 

Members and Employees are our top priority at Empower FCU! We want to take a moment and share some measures we are taking to address the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic:

• Empower is open for business! Staff safety, member safety, and availability of services remain our top priorities.
• Business Continuity Planning is a part of daily life at Empower FCU. Our remote services are regularly tested, and we are making every effort to serve you no matter what happens.
• We have implemented a temporary policy of “Handshakes on Hold, Smiles Unlimited,” and we hope our “Service with a Smile” is more noticeable than ever.
• We are regularly utilizing disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer in all branch locations.
• CDC and State Health organizations regarding best practices on handwashing, especially after handling cash and documents, have been reiterated.
• We have asked our cleaning vendor to intensify their nightly disinfecting protocol at all Empower locations.

During this time, we strongly encourage you to make use of our 24-hour ePhone and online banking systems for your financial needs to help support the CDC recommendations regarding social distancing. As always, through online banking and/or the Empower mobile app you can access your accounts to check balances, make payments, perform transfers, view transactions, and deposit checks.

Representatives in our call center will continue to be available to answer your questions, address your concerns, and assist you regarding your financial needs.

We are aware that many of our members may be facing financial concerns and uncertainties as the COVID-19 situation develops. Empower FCU is here to help, and we encourage members who may be impacted to reach out to discuss how we might be of assistance.

As always, the health, safety, and well-being of our members, our staff, and our community is of paramount concern. We will continue to monitor this quickly evolving situation closely. 

Sincerely,
John Wakefield, President/CEO

PURSUANT TO AMENDED 11 N.Y.C.R.R. 229.5

Dear Valued Insurance Member,

We hope that this message finds you and your family safe and healthy.

These are difficult times. The New York Legislature and Department of Financial Services have been implementing emergency measures in an effort to protect insurance policyholders who have been hit with financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Regulations they enacted include: the waiver of late fees; the prohibition on reporting negative data to credit reporting agencies; and the repayment of late premiums over a 12-month period.

If you have been impacted by this pandemic, this means help may be available.

• If you can demonstrate that you’re unable to make a timely premium payment due to financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may pay such premium over a 12-month period.  

• If your policy is financed through a premium finance agency, they must provide a grace period before cancelling your policy for late payment of an installment if you can demonstrate financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This grace period will be 60 days for a property/casualty policy; 90 days for a life insurance policy.  You will be given a 12-month period to pay the missed installment, and the premium finance agency may not impose late fees or  report you to any credit reporting agency or debt collector because of that installment.

You may prove hardship by submitting a written attestation to the insurance company or premium finance agency regarding your financial hardship resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.  The full text of the relevant regulations can be read here: https://www.biginy.org/nysdfs.

If you have any questions about this or your policy, don’t hesitate to contact our team. We’re proud to continue helping you protect what matters most.

Empower Insurance Services LLC (formerly known as Empower Associated Services Inc.) is affiliated with Empower Federal Credit Union (EFCU). The purchase of insurance from Empower Insurance Services LLC is not required to obtain credit or other services from Empower FCU. Insurance products are not credit union deposits and are not NCUA insured, nor are they obligations of or guaranteed by Empower FCU. Not all insurance products are available in all states. Call for availability in your state.

To help Empower business members prepare for their PPP application, please review the following highlights. Applicants must have an Empower business checking account to be eligible for applying for a PPP Loan through Empower. Please read the information below and then CLICK HERE to apply for a loan.

First Draw PPP Loan 

• Business was in operation on February 15,2020
• Has no more than 500 employees
• Never received  a previous PPP loan from any financial institution
• Max loan $10 million
• Five- year term
• Refer to application Form and SBA.gov website for additional requirements

 Second Draw PPP Loan 

• Business was in operation on February 15,2020
• Had received a PPP Loan from a financial institution previously and has used all proceeds (or will have prior to disbursement of proceeds from the second loan)
• Has no more than 300 employees
• Experienced a 25% or more reduction in annual gross receipts between 2019 and 2020

(or a comparable quarter in 2019 and 2020)

• Max loan $2 million
• Refer to application Form and SBA.gov website for additional requirements
• Be prepared with your SBA number and your loan amount from your first draw

While based on similar principles as the first round of PPP funding under the CARES Act, the second round of PPP (the "Second Draw") has some key differences that are summarized below:

Limited Eligibility for Second Draw PPP Loans: The Second Draw of PPP loans are available to borrowers that previously received a PPP loan. Second Draw PPP loans are limited to businesses that (i) employ no more than 300 employees (down from 500) or meet an alternative size standard; (ii) have used the entire amount of their first PPP loan or will use such amounts, and (iii) had gross receipts during Q1, Q2 or Q3 2020 that were at least 25 percent less than the gross receipts from the same quarter in 2019 (applicants may use Q4 2020 if they apply after January 1, 2021). If the business was not in operation for a portion of 2019, then the comparable quarters may be different. The limitations put in place for Second Draw loan eligibility, as explained in this section, do not apply to first-time borrowers.

Maximum Loan Amount: Borrowers of a Second Draw PPP loan have an option to calculate the maximum loan amount by multiplying the borrower's average total monthly payroll in (a) the one-year period prior to the date on which the loan is made, or (b) calendar year 2019, by 2.5x. The maximum loan amount has been reduced from $10 million in the first round to $2 million. Similar to the first round, seasonal employers calculate their maximum loan amount differently. Note that the $2 million cap does not apply to first-time borrowers, that cap remains at $10 million.

Maximum Loan Amounts for the Hospitality Industry: Borrowers of a Second Draw PPP loan that have NAICS Code 72 (typically restaurants and hotels) are permitted to use a 3.5x multiplier of their average monthly payroll costs to calculate their maximum loan amount, subject to the $2 million cap.

Covered Period: Originally the SBA provided that the covered period (the time in which a borrower must use the funds to qualify for forgiveness), would be an eight-week period beginning on the date the borrower received the loan proceeds. In subsequent amendments, the covered period was expanded to 24 weeks. Borrowers are now able to choose the length of their covered period so long as it is at least eight weeks and is not longer than 24 weeks. This subtle change will allow borrowers more control over how to handle potential reductions in workforce once the PPP funds are exhausted.

Use of PPP Funds: Congress expanded the types of expenses for which all PPP loans can be used, which applies to existing PPP loans (except in the event forgiveness has already been obtained) and new loans. In addition to payroll, rent, covered mortgage interest and utilities, the PPP now allows proceeds to be used for:

• Covered Operations Expenditures: payments for business software or cloud computing service that facilitates business operations, product or service delivery, the processing, payment or tracking of payroll expenses, HR and billing functions, or account or tracking of supplies, inventory, records and expenses
• Covered Property Damage Costs: costs related to property damaged and vandalism or looting due to public disturbances that occurred during 2020 that was not covered by insurance or other compensation
• Covered Supplier Costs: expenditures to a supplier of goods that are essential to the operations of the entity at the time at which the expenditure was made and is made pursuant to a contract or order in effect at any time before the covered period or, with respect to perishable goods, in effect at any time during the covered period
• Covered Worker Protection Expenditures: operating or capital expenditures that allow a business to comply with requirements or guidance issued by the CDC, HHS, OSHA or any state or local government during the period beginning March 1, 2020 and ending on the date which the national emergency declared by the president expires related to the maintenance of standards for sanitation, social distancing or any other worker or customer safety requirement related to COVID-19. These expenses appear to include PPE, physical barriers that were put in place, expansion of indoor/outdoor space, ventilation or filtration systems and drive-through windows.

Before Applying for loan, please review the application form to determine what information you will be required to provide. Do not complete this form, but instead make your application through the online link provided.

If this is the first time you are applying, please review the SAMPLE application PRIOR to beginning your online application. NOTE: Paper applications are not being accepted. The sample in the link below is for informational purposes only. 

Application Sample

If this is the second draw, please review the SAMPLE application PRIOR to beginning your online application. NOTE: Paper applications are not being accepted. The sample in the link below is for informational purposes only. 

Application Sample

The Treasury and IRS are beginning to deliver the 2^nd Round of Economic Impact Payments. The initial round of direct deposit payments may be seen in your account as early as January 4, 2021 and more individuals are expected to receive their payment(s) over the next week or so. Please use online or mobile access to see if your payment has been received. EBT cards (debit cards) and paper checks are also in process. Visit IRS.gov/GetMyPayment to check the status of your payment. For more information about Economic Impact Payments, please visit IRS.gov/EIP.

Until further notice, Empower FCU members are allowed to make unlimited transactions from their savings account.
On Friday, April 24, 2020 the Federal Reserve System announced an interim final rule which allows Empower FCU to suspend the enforcement of the six transaction limit normally imposed for savings accounts and allows members to make an unlimited number of transactions from their savings accounts. Empower FCU’s suspension is made in accordance with the interim final rule and is subject to any revision the Federal Reserve System may subsequently make.

The tax filing deadline has been extended to July 15, and Empower Tax Services LLC is here for all of your Tax needs. Dropoff available at the following branches:

523 Erie Blvd. West (Syracuse) 
900 Kinne Street (East Syracuse)
Auburn 
Cicero 
Fairmount 
Fayetteville 
Fulton East
Liverpool
North Medical Center
Oswego 
Utica 

Contact us today! 
315.426.5678 or 800.462.5000 ext. 5678
www.empowerfcu.com/tax