Saturday, June 6, 2020
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Banks essential under Gov. Stitt’s orders: your money is safe, sound and easily accessible

COVID-19 is causing many concerns with consumers, but access to your money shouldn’t be one of them. Here are the top five things you need to know about your money and banks under “Safer At Home.”

1. You have continued access to your funds and bank services.
Banks are considered an essential service which means you continue to have access to your funds through in-person services and self-service tools, such as mobile or online banking.

2. Your money is safe, secure and insured.
FDIC deposit insurance currently covers up to $250,000 per person and ensures the security of consumers’ funds. Congress is working on legislation providing authority for the FDIC to increase this coverage through Dec. 31, 2020. No consumer has lost a single penny in the history of this insurance fund.

3. Your bank is prepared.
Banks are prepared for situations like a pandemic, with tested and proven business continuity plans and procedures. Although state and federal regulations require banks to be prepared, you’ll find that community banks are prepared because they want to continue to serve, not because they are required.

4. Your bank is looking out for you, your family and your business.
Oklahoma’s banks are proactively contacting customers, offering assistance in the form of fee waivers, loan payment deferral programs, credit card payment relief, suspension of foreclosure and repossession programs, and more. Bankers are also helping their customers apply for grants offered at the state and federal level as well. Congress is also working on providing more assistance to businesses through banks in the form of additional changes to federal programs, such as the SBA program.

5. Your banker is listening and ready to act.
Customers should contact their banker to talk about how COVID-19 is affecting them, and how the bank can help. Oklahoma’s banking industry is strong and ready to help.