New Coronavirus Update as of May 22, 2020
If you have not read our email or mobile app communications, you can find them all here. Please take the time to read each update as there is valuable information you should be aware of.
March 13 Update (What We're Doing)
March 20 Update (Weekend Update)
April 3 Update (Lending Update)
April 6 Update (Fraud Schemes)
Online Access
The biggest thing we can all do to slow the spread of COVID-19 is to practice social distancing and remain home as much as possible. We have worked diligently over the past few weeks to ensure that you can access your account and perform all necessary banking functions without leaving the safety and comfort of your home. All of our members may access digital products, such as Online Banking and the MCTCU mobile app, which allow you to access your accounts 24/7 including depositing checks remotely, viewing your balances and transactions, making payments or money transfers, finding an ATM location, applying for a loan, and more. If a situation arises where you do need to come to the branch, our Drive-Thru is fully staffed and ready to serve you with the exceptional MCT service you have become accustomed to. For the Drive-Thru hours for all locations please click here.
Fee Reduction Effort
In an effort to provide much needed assistance to our membership during this COVID-19 pandemic, MCT has made the following changes to the following fees:
- Eliminated Certificate of Deposit early withdrawal penalty.
- Eliminated foreign ATM fees.
- Reducing the Courtesy Overdraft and Non-Sufficient Funds fees from $30 to $15.
MCT has made these changes effective immediately to further help you navigate this COVID-19 Pandemic. We will continue to keep you updated and do everything we can to assist you during this crisis.
Skip-A-Pay
MCT is offering a Skip-A-Pay program to help our members with the difficult circumstances we are all facing due to COVID-19. This program allows members to skip their consumer loan payments (auto, boat, personal, travel trailer, etc.) for 60 days. Please be aware that this program does not include Real Estate or Commercial loans. Applying for this program is quick and easy, all you have to do is either apply here or call us at 409-727-1446. If you do need help with your Real Estate or Commercial loan payments, we are offering 90 day deferrals. Please contact the Credit Union for more information at 409-727-1446.
SBA Lending
Although MCT is not an SBA lender there are several programs that are being offered to small businesses directly by the SBA. The government is offering several programs listed below that may help you during this time:
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) provide working capital loans up to $2 million to cover payroll, rent, utilities, interest on debt, accounts payable, and some bills not paid due to coronavirus. This loan requires collateral or a personal guarantee and offers a 3.75% interest rate and terms up to 30-years.
Immediate Loan Advance up to $10,000 that does not have to be repaid is available to all small business owners as part of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance program.
More Info: https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19
Application: https://covid19relief.sba.gov
Tax Credit Relief
The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)—this credit can be claimed towards quarterly payroll taxes to employers who were forced to close or suspend operations due to a coronavirus shut-down order or whose gross receipts declined by more than 50% in comparison to the same quarter the prior year. The ERTC provides a refundable payroll tax credit for 50% of wages paid to employees during the pandemic.It is offered for the first $10,000 of compensation paid or incurred from March 13, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Businesses that receive assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program are not eligible for the credit. Consult with your tax advisor to learn more about the ERTC. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-employee-retention-credit-under-the-cares-act
MCT does not offer these programs or services, but we do encourage all members who need this assistance to follow the links above to see if these programs could benefit you
Fraud Tips from MCT
At MCT, our number one concern at a time like this is to keep you, our member, safe. Scammers are leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic to steal your money, your personal information, or both. Protect yourself and do your research before clicking on links purporting to provide information on the virus. MCT advises you to utilize these tips to protect your account(s) from criminal activity:
- Protect yourself by being aware of suspicious emails and text messages.
- Keep your eyes open for medical supply scams, fraudulent donation sites, or anything else that seems fishy.
- If it seems like it could be fraud, it probably is, so listen to your gut and don’t provide your personal identification (usernames, passwords, Social Security number, etc.) unless you are 100% certain you are dealing with a legitimate organization—one with whom you have made the initial contact.
- Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown email senders, and do not make purchases or donations on any unknown sites.
By following these tips you can further protect yourself and your account from potential scammers and hackers.