COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) INFORMATION
Premier Bank takes the safety and welfare of our customers, employees and community seriously. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to evolve, we are proactively monitoring the news and are taking extra precautions to minimize the spread of the virus in our locations. We care deeply about the communities we serve and believe that by working together with our employees and customers, we can all assist in helping protect our communities.
Proactive Steps Our Bank is Taking
- Restricting lobby access to appointments only until further notice. Please call your local branch to arrange appointments to enter the bank facility. We will do our best to serve you. Our drive-thrus remain open as well as our convenient online and after-hours capabilities, such as Online Banking, Mobile Banking, Telebanc, ATMs and night deposit.
- Washing our hands often and thoroughly
- Cleaning all public spaces within Premier Bank facilities regularly
- Providing employees with preventive steps to stay healthy and how to avoid illness through proper hygiene practices
- Instructing employees to stay home when they are not feeling well
- Discouraging shaking hands and encouraging social distancing as possible
- Using information from trusted sources including the CDC (Center for Disease Control), the WHO (World Health Organizations), banking agencies/regulators and state/local health agencies
- Monitoring the spread of the virus at local and national levels with a cross-functional team to review, monitor and adjust operations as the situation changes to ensure continuation of critical business functions
Proactive Steps You Can Take
- Avoiding unnecessary trips to the bank, especially if you are not feeling well
- Staying home if you become sick
- Making sure your cell phone number, home phone number and email address are up-to-date for all of your accounts. This will also help if we have to contact you quickly about your account.
- Sanitizing your debit cards and cell phone regularly
- Abstaining from touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth, after completing a transaction at an ATM or touching door handles, faucets, toilets or other often-used items in public spaces
- Washing your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer after completing a transaction at an ATM or touching door handles, faucets, toilets or other often-used items in public spaces
- Being aware of scams and criminals using fear/intimidation, trickery, urgency or disinformation related to the coronavirus to attempt to steal your sensitive, personal or account information. Scammers like to take advantage of fears and trending topics.
- Do not click on any links, open any attachments or respond if you receive a suspicious email, phone call or text message
- Verify the authenticity of the website and the company before making a purchase, giving a donation or providing private information
- Watch out for strange calls, emails, texts or websites that look like they are coming from legitimate businesses or government agencies asking for information like SSN, usernames, passwords, account numbers, credit or debit card numbers, PINs, etc.
- Call the bank directly through a known number when in doubt rather than giving out information
- Limiting public interactions as much as possible until this threat passes. If you prefer to bank at home or if we need to close offices temporarily, our convenient online and after-hours capabilities can meet most of your needs.
- Monitoring accounts and transferring funds within Premier Bank through Online Banking, Mobile Banking and Telebanc
- Depositing checks through Mobile Banking to your Premier Bank accounts
- Making payments and transferring funds from bank to bank with Bill Pay
- Accessing ATMs for cash withdrawals
- Using night deposit to drop off deposits after hours
- Sending your deposits through the mail
- Reaching out to us if your cash flow is being temporarily hurt by this event
- Staying up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 information. For more information, you can visit:
We are committed to navigating through these difficult circumstances with your safety at the forefront of everything we do! Thank you for being a loyal customer. If you need our assistance, please contact us.
Fees, limits, message and data rates may apply to Online Banking, Mobile Banking and Telebanc.
Memorial Day
We will be closed Saturday, May 23 and Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day.
2020 IRA Changes
On December 20, the SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act was signed into law making changes to IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) including
- Changing the RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) age on Traditional IRAs: The law raises the age at which individuals must begin taking RMDs from their retirement accounts from 70½ to 72. NOTE: The new law only applies to people who turn 70½ after December 31, 2019. If a person turned 70½ in 2019, the law does not apply and that person must take an RMD in 2020 and beyond.
- Allowing contributions to Traditional IRAs after age 70½. Individuals may continue contributing to an IRA at any age, as long as they have earned income.
- New rules for inherited retirement accounts: Under previous law, inherited retirement accounts (often referred to as “Stretch IRAs”) could distribute those assets over the beneficiary’s lifetime. Under the new law, those assets must be distributed within 10 years. This provision has potentially significant estate planning implications. There are exceptions for spouses, minor children, disabled individuals and people less than 10 years younger than the decedent. The bill does not affect existing inherited accounts. It only applies to accounts that are inherited in 2020 and beyond.
Due to the rule changes, you should consider meeting with a financial advisor/planner to
- Discuss whether the new rule permitting ongoing contributions to an IRA makes sense for your situation if you are over the age of 70 ½ and have earned income.
- Review estate plans with retirement accounts to determine whether any changes need to be made based on the new law.
- You may also want to review your beneficiaries on deposit accounts, retirement accounts, insurance policies and wills annually to make sure your assets are passed on in the manner in which you want. This is especially important if you have experienced a life-changing event, such as marriage, divorce, birth or death of a loved one since your last review.
We would be happy to help you review your beneficiaries, contribute to an IRA or set up a new IRA. Just stop in or call your local branch.
Fees may reduce earnings or there may be a penalty for early withdrawal on IRAs.
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