Banking And Cash During COVID-19 Crisis: Some Branches Close, ATM Fees May Be Waived

Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated regularly as more information is gathered and banks take further actions. Last update: March 19, 2020.

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) threat makes its way across the country and businesses close or curtail hours to flatten the curve, retail banks are scrambling to respond to customer and worker safety concerns as well as to guidance from bank regulators and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC facts).

Every major bank website now has its own coronavirus help page, designed to give banking customers the information they need to cope with an increasingly uncertain financial environment. The banks’ customer relief resources include information on how to request everything from loan repayment deferment to penalty and fee waivers.

Temporary Branch Closings

Now, banks are starting to modify or curtail in-person branch services. For example, regional and smaller banks nationwide are requiring customers to make an appointment to be seen in a branch; limiting customers to drive-through access only; and even closing some branches entirely—all in support of the social distancing that is so critical to slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

Local authorities in cities like New York City and Los Angeles have ordered bars and restaurants to partially close, limiting them to takeout. But those same authorities—and others—have been careful to assure the public that essential services, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, will remain open.

Banks are a special case: Access to money and banking services is essential, but, as the popularity of online banking and banking apps demonstrates, most bank transactions today don’t have to be done in person. There are, of course, still a few services you can get inside a brick-and-mortar branch that you can’t do online. And, with so much attention being paid to how long the coronavirus survives on surfaces, some customers may not be keen to share ATM touchscreens with the world at large.

The FDIC in its latest guidance for banks (FAQs for Financial Institutions, Updated March 19) says that banks don’t need permission to temporarily close branches or to limit customers to using drive-through, with the understanding that the affected bank will provide alternative services and minimize disruption to the customer. (In one of the more entertaining bits of its guidance, the FDIC suggests banks train their branch security personnel in how to distinguish between customers who come in wearing masks and potential bank robbers.)

In its latest guidance for customers (FAQs for Bank Customers, Updated March 18), the FDIC reminds customers that the safest place for their money to be at a time like this (or basically any time) is in an FDIC-insured bank, and that their banks will provide other ways to access it. 

The FDIC also says it’s encouraging banks to waive early withdrawal penalties for CDs and ATM fees for those who—perhaps having moved to be closer to family members because of COVID-19—may need to use out-of-town or out-of-network ATMs to get cash. For similar reasons, it’s also encouraging banks to ease restrictions on cashing out-of-town checks and checks from noncustomers.

So what is the branch situation? Not surprisingly, it’s evolving. Numerous banks, including Capital One, KeyBank, TD Bank and Huntington Bank have announced changes to their operating hours and practices that are taking effect this week.

The nation’s largest bank (by assets) is now following suit: Effective March 19, JPMorgan Chase has temporarily closed approximately 1,000 of its branches, which represent 20% of its total footprint, to help ensure the safety of customers and employees. 

Chase says it will “continue to adapt” to the changing coronavirus situation and encourages customers to utilize the tools available on the Chase mobile app and at chase.com. Chase’s remaining nearly 4,000 branches will operate on slightly shortened hours (9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.). Customers can identify the affected branches by using the Chase mobile app or visiting chase.com/branch.

If you find it disconcerting to read the words banks and branches closing (even partially) in the same sentence, bank regulators have apparently anticipated your unease: They’ve been urging banks to take steps that will reassure customers they’ll have access to banking services and cash when they need it. On March 13, for example, the FDIC suggested that banks consider raising daily ATM withdrawal limits.

FDIC and OCC Guidance

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the FDIC first addressed COVID-19 on March 9 with guidance encouraging banks to meet the needs of customers by “work[ing] constructively with borrowers and other customers in affected communities.”

Fast forward only a few days: In an FDIC Statement made on March 13, the FDIC acknowledged the “unique and evolving situation,” which could lead to “significant temporary business disruptions and challenges.” The FDIC also noted that different customers and communities were likely to be affected differently and encouraged flexibility on the part of financial institutions specific to meeting these needs.

In response to the FDIC’s heightened concerns, banks started putting their strategies in place—as best they can, facing the degree of uncertainty that’s at play.

Workers in the gig economy and small business owners have their own concerns, and those go beyond cash. The March 13 FDIC statement also focused on the needs of small businesses “that have less financial flexibility to weather the near-term operational challenges, such as retail, restaurants, and local entertainment businesses, as well as hourly workers and independent contractors.”

While the FDIC works with financial institutions and with federal and state banking agencies to address the challenges, it’s advising customers to work directly with their individual financial institutions to resolve any issues that arise.

On its central coronavirus information page, the FDIC answers additional FAQs to reassure consumers that FDIC insurance is still in force, even during any potential temporary disruption of an individual bank’s operations. During such disruption, customers can still access their funds through banks’ websites and mobile apps. (This also might be a good time to sign up for direct deposit of your paycheck, if you haven’t already.)

Two Examples: Capital One and Firstrust Bank

Capital One’s decision, effective March 16, is simply stated: “Your health and safety are our top priority. To minimize health risks from coronavirus (COVID-19), we are temporarily closing select branches and all Capital One Cafés.” The closures will last for an unspecified period of time. For the majority of their banks that are remaining open, “we will primarily serve customers from behind protective glass or through drive-throughs” to help “support the health and well-being of our customers, our associates and our communities.”

If you want to learn more about Capital One’s temporary closings, answers to FAQs are provided on its website. Access is the theme: whether to ATMs, a specific branch or to a customer’s safe deposit box.

Capital One says it would “strongly encourage” its customers to avail themselves of the digital tools the bank provides to help ensure 24/7 access to their accounts, including both online and via the mobile app. 

Pro tip: “It’s easier and faster (in most cases) to manage accounts digitally, especially given call time waits may be longer than usual,’’ the FAQs say.

Family-owned, and based in the greater Philadelphia area, Firstrust has served its clients for more than 85 years. Effective March 18, branches will remain open, but walk-in service is temporarily unavailable. Drive-through windows will remain open at branches that have them. For branches that do not have the drive-through option, an appointment is required to receive lobby service.

In a letter now shared on Firstrust’s blog, CEO Richard J. Green states the primary issue: “Together, we are facing a truly unprecedented situation. The global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting all of our families, our businesses, our communities, and our way of life.”

He goes on to reassure customers that Firstrust is doing “everything in our power” to help ensure that customers receive the service, advice and support they need in these challenging times.

Perhaps most reassuring to Firstrust customers—and to other banks’ customers who may face similar situations in the very near future—Green points out that the majority of banking transactions are conducted digitally already, so that the potential for interruption of service or access is quite limited.

Bottom line: If your bank suddenly joins the ranks of those practicing social distancing by changing access to its physical locations, you’ll still have good access—in the form of the banks’ online services, mobile apps, ATMs and call center support.