Protecting Our Members and Team From COVID-19
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3/1/2021
Beginning on Monday, March 1st, ALL GFA branch lobbies will reopen to members. We kindly ask all to please wear a face mask at all times and to adhere to 6 feet of social distance between individuals.
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All branch location hours will continue to be:
Monday - Wednesday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Thursday 9:00AM - 6:00PM (Keene 9:00AM - 5:00PM)
Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday 9:00AM - 12:00PM
12/3/2020
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As the number of COVID-19 cases throughout our communities continues to climb, we have decided to close our branch lobbies in an effort to keep you, our valued members, and our employees safe.
Begining on Monday, December 7th ALL banking transactions will be available through DRIVE-UP SERVICE ONLY. Due to no drive-up service, our KEENE BRANCH LOBBY WILL REMAIN OPEN, but will be limited to five members in the branch at a time.
Our current hours will remain the same
Monday - Wednesday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Thursday 9:00AM - 6:00PM, Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday from 9:00AM - 12:00PM
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If you need an in-person appointment for additional account assistance or to access your safe deposit box please call 978-632-2542 or click here to request an appointment online.
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Banking without going to the branch.
We highly encourage our members to use methods of banking that are not person-to-person contact. There are several ways you can continue to do your banking without having to visit a branch.
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Digital Banking Services
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Please consider using an ATM for your cash needs. In addition to GFA’s ATM locations, you have access to over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide as part of the CO-OP Network – Find your closest ATM. Please remember to sanitize or wash your hands after using any public machines and devices.
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For our members who may be facing an unexpected financial challenge due to these recent events - please see some of our alternative loan and payment options that are here to help.
Apply here for a 1.99% 12-month personal loan
Apply for a Skip-A-Payment on your existing GFA loan
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6/5/2020
Beginning on Monday, June 8th, we will be opening the lobbies of of our remaining branch locations, with a maximum number of members allowed in the branch at one time. With these openings, all of our branch locations will now be opened to our members. Our last five branch lobbies to reopening and their maximum member allowances are as follows:
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- Hubbardston - 5 members
- Leominster - 5 members
- Parker St. (Gardner) - 5 members
- Peterborough (NH) - 5 members
- Winchendon - 4 members
All branch location hours will continue to be:
Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Saturday 9:00AM - 12:00PM
5/22/2020
Over the past week, the Governors of Massachusetts and New Hampshire have provided guidance about what each state’s phased economic reopening plans will look like, and what is expected of businesses for each portion of the reopening. We are taking a similar phased approach to returning back to how we once conducted business – for the safety of you, our members, and our dedicated employees.
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Effective Tuesday, May 26th, all branch location hours will be:
Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Saturday 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Beginning on Tuesday, May 26th, we will be opening the lobbies of half of our branch locations, with a maximum number of members allowed in the branch at one time. Branch lobbies reopening and their maximum member allowance are as follows:
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- Ashburnham - 5 members
- Keene (NH) - 5 members
- Pearson Blvd. (Gardner) - 5 members
- Rindge (NH) - 5 members
- Rutland - 4 members
We have implemented many different safety and sanitization measures, as well as security guidelines, to ensure a clean, safe environment for everyone. We know that it has been a tremendous challenge getting to this point, and we could not be more grateful for your patience and support. As we enter this next phase in response to Covid-19, we will continue to prioritize serving you to the very best of our ability despite continued challenging conditions.
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For the safety of all, we have implemented the following:
- Installed plexi-glass sneeze guards at every interaction point to keep a safe barrier between members and employees.
- Limited lobby traffic based on the size and flow of each of our branch locations.
- Installed social distancing floor markers so that CDC guidelines can be followed.
- Hand sanitizer is available.
- Single use pens will be used.
- We respectfully request when visiting one of our branch locations that your face mask be lowered while entering the building, for security purposes, and then can be put back on when the first social distancing floor marker is reached.
- We are proud to have partnered with a local business, Seaman Paper, to pilot their High Touch Tissue. These sheets are a single use, recyclable paper barrier that we have installed for drive-up canister accessibility.
- We are continuously evaluating new self-sanitizing technologies such as door handle covers and surface barriers to keep everyone safe.
We still encourage using our drive-ups, limiting in-branch transactions, making appointments when possible, and using Online and Mobile banking options. Please also note that, as always, all GFA ATMs will remain fully stocked and available to provide you the convenience and safety of not leaving your vehicle if you need to transact business.
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As your financial partner, if you experience financial difficulties, we have solutions to assist you so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Please see some of our alternative loan and payment options that are here to help.
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Apply here for a 1.99% 12-month personal loan
Apply for a Skip-A-Payment on your existing GFA loan
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The hours of each location may vary, and may change as demand and circumstances evolve through this phased re-opening period. For the most accurate information please continue to check this blog or call your local branch office.
4/16/2020
Please note that on April 16th, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Treasury Department announced that the funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans had been depleted. Although the National Small business Association is calling on Congress to quickly appropriate more funds, at this time we are not able to accept nor submit any additional Paycheck Protection Program loans to the SBA.
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We thank you for your patience during this challenging time and are doing all we can to help those in our communities.
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Please be safe and well
4/9/2020
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UPDATE for April 11th closure:
ALL locations will be CLOSED on Saturday April 11th to give our employees a well deserved extended weekend as a THANK YOU to their dedication over the last few weeks.
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3/25/2020
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UPDATE regarding Keene, NH hours:
Due to no drive-up service, our KEENE BRANCH LOBBY WILL REMAIN OPEN Monday - Friday from 10:00AM - 3:00PM and Saturday from 9:00AM - 12:00PM, but will be limited to five members in the branch at a time.
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3/17/2020
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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we have taken the following precautions to protect our members and employees:
ALL banking transactions will be available through DRIVE-UP SERVICE ONLY Monday - Friday from 9:00AM - 4:00PM and Saturday from 9:00AM - 12:00PM.
Due to no drive-up service, our KEENE BRANCH LOBBY WILL REMAIN OPEN Monday - Friday from 9:00AM - 4:00PM and Saturday from 9:00AM - 12:00PM, but will be limited to five members in the branch at a time.
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Has GFA Federal Credit Union been impacted?
GFA remains safe and sound. We are closely monitoring the situation and are following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), among other sources. Additionally, we have a robust Business Continuity Plan to ensure our service to you remains uninterrupted. As a standard practice, we are always mindful of the health and well-being of our members and our teams and take precautionary measures to keep our facilities clean and well maintained. We are also following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control.
To access your safe deposit box, if you need additional account assistance or need an in-person appointment please call 978-632-2542.
.
Banking without going to the branch.
We highly encourage our members to use methods of banking that are not person-to-person contact. There are several ways you can continue to do your banking without having to visit a branch.
.
Digital Banking Services
.
Please consider using an ATM for your cash needs. In addition to GFA’s ATM locations, you have access to over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide as part of the CO-OP Network – Find your closest ATM. Please remember to sanitize or wash your hands after using any public machines and devices.
.
For our members who may be facing an unexpected financial challenge due to these recent events - please see some of our alternative loan and payment options that are here to help.
Apply here for a 1.99% 12-month personal loan
Apply for a Skip-A-Payment on your existing GFA loan
.
Do I need to be concerned about scams or fraud?
We encourage you to be cautious when opening emails and visiting websites at all times, but especially during times when there is a flurry of information coming from various sources. You should always be mindful when clicking on links from sources you don't know or opening and clicking within emails sent from people or organizations you are not familiar with. Scammers have already tried to take advantage of the current economic and public health environment, and you should be critical of any and all information you receive from unknown sources. Learn more about what to look out for from the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information.
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3/13/2020
For the safety of you, our other members and our team– we have asked our employees to conduct themselves in the following ways during this period:
- Minimize physical contact with others, including traditional handshakes and embraces
- When appropriate, maintain a distance of 3 feet from one another during interactions
- Utilize gloves and hand sanitizers
- Conduct appointments over the phone instead of in-person
- Limit any handling of documents or items passed between individuals
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Will GFA Federal Credit Union be adjusting hours?
We currently are not changing our branch hours, but will keep a close watch on what other public offices (such as schools, hospitals, etc.) are doing and adjust our hours of operation accordingly to protect our team and our members. Please know that all decision-making related to COVID-19 (the “coronavirus”) has been, and will continue to be made with the safety of our members and employees in mind. In line with the recommendations being made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we will continue to monitor information associated with the coronavirus and should any disruption to our business occur, we will proactively keep you informed by posting any changes in branch, on our website, on our phone system and social media. Please continue to check back for updates at GFAFCU.com
During business hours please feel free to call us 1-978-632-2542