Coronavirus Information

Dear Members,

I'm hopeful this message finds you and your family in good health. Life looks a little different than just a few months ago, but we are happy to announce that we now are ready to re-open many of our branch lobbies!

Starting on June 1, the following branch lobbies will be open for normal business hours, Monday-Friday:

Atlanta: Barrett Parkway, Jasper, Mansell Commons, Marietta, Southlake
South Florida: Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Military Trail
Treasure Coast: Delaware, St. Lucie West, Vero Beach-US 1

We are making every effort to protect our members and our staff as we re-open. We have increased our cleaning and sanitation regimen and have installed sneeze guards at the teller stations and member service desks. We also have placed markers identifying social distancing guidelines and our branch lobbies will have capacity limits. Employees will have the option to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).

All of our branches can also be physically visited by appointment with the exception of the following branches: Barfield, South Cobb, Federal Center (phone appointments only), and West Palm Beach; these branches remain closed. Please use our new online Appointment Scheduling tool on our website, in Online Banking, or in our Mobile Banking App to make an appointment. Just look for the “Make Appointment” link. You can schedule an appointment with a member service representative to meet via phone or at a branch location of your choice.

We truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we begin the process of re-opening our branch lobbies. Thank you for supporting YOUR credit union!

Sincerely,

Michael L. Miller
President/CEO
iTHINK Financial Credit Union
 

Dear Members,

I trust this message finds you safe and healthy. Just like you, our credit union is adjusting to what reopening our world during this crisis will look like. We know that like us, your home has been turned into your office, a classroom and a safe zone for your family. Your time has become even more valuable as you juggle virtual meetings, homeschooling and entertaining your children, or taking a short trip to get essential supplies, all while trying to keep a level of sanity and normalcy. Meanwhile, life still marches on, and you may find yourself needing specific help in opening a new savings account or switching your existing bank accounts to your credit union. Maybe in getting back to work, you need an auto loan to get a new car or need some help in preparing and planning your financial future? Remember, we are here for you!

That’s why we’re introducing our NEW Appointment Scheduling tool on our website, ithinkfi.org. From the comfort of your own home using your computer, tablet or phone, you can set an appointment with a member service representative at your location of choice. You decide whether you want a phone appointment or to visit the branch. Regardless, you’ll get a reservation for the time that works best for you in a calendar invitation. Appointment changes or cancellations are easily managed through that same calendar invitation. On Monday, May 18th, 2020, please look for the “Make Appointment” blue button on our website, ithinkfi.org.

At your in-branch appointment, you will now notice our branch lobbies have a new look, with sneeze guards at the teller stations and member service desks. We will also have markers identifying social distancing guidelines. We have increased our cleaning and sanitation regimen and are making every effort to protect our staff and you as we move forward.

This is our first phase of adjusting to this new way of doing business. So please be patient as we work through this together, and as always, thank you for supporting YOUR credit union!

Sincerely,

Michael L. Miller
President/CEO
iTHINK Financial Credit Union
 

Dear Members,

As we move into May, we can finally start to see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel! iTHINK Financial continues to be here for you as the country begins to slowly reopen. As businesses, parks and restaurants adapt and slowly begin operations, we wish all a safe and healthy return.

Despite the pandemic, we continue to find ways to give back and help those in our communities through our iTHINK Community Foundation and our dedicated employees. The credit union industry has a long history of helping members in times of need and iTHINK Financial is no different. We’d like to share a few ways we have been giving back to our communities:

• Our employees collected our IBM credit union shirts and our call center employees are sewing them into masks. This month, we are donating 300 masks to the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in South Florida.
   
• We have donated over 5,000 brown paper bags to the Cherokee County School District in Georgia. The bags were used to make free breakfast and lunches for students and were used to bag over 4,600 meals (2 meals for over 2,300 students in the county).
   
• A crew of Florida employees helped sort food for families in need at the Palm Beach County Food Bank.
   
• Our Georgia employees partnered with Pathway Christian Church in Atlanta and held a food drive that collected non-perishable food and monies to buy food for over 80 families consisting of over 250 people.

I want to thank our employees for selflessly giving of their talents and time during this crisis. Our credit union family has big hearts and helping hands. If you would like to donate and help us provide needed resources to our communities, please click on this link to contribute to our iTHINK Community Foundation. We look forward to helping more people who have been impacted by this crisis. Click here to view a video about how we can move forward through this crisis together.

Also, I want to express a huge thank you to YOU, our members, for being the most important part of our credit union. We know we are all anxious to get things back up and running, but we know that slow and steady will win this race. We promise we will continue to be here for you for every step of this new journey.

Let’s continue to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel and look for ways to help others. Thank you for being an iTHINK Financial member. Stay safe and healthy. 

Sincerely,

Michael L. Miller
President/CEO
iTHINK Financial Credit Union
 

Dear Members,

As your financial advocate, we at iTHINK Financial are continuing to provide you peace of mind during this challenging time. That’s why we wanted to let you know about some features of the CARES Act that are great for businesses and consumers:

1. We’re excited that it appears that funding for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will be reinstated soon. Nationally, only 8% of small business applicants received money through the first PPP stimulus. This is a terrible dilemma for small businesses. However, our Commercial Lending department has been working tirelessly to meet the needs of our business members and those businesses in the communities we serve. We have been able to provide funds to 84% of our small business applicants' requests. Email businessloans@ithinkfi.org for more information about this program for your business.
    
2. If you have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis, either as a result of this terrible disease or from the financial ramifications of losing your job or another hardship, we are here to help you. We have developed several programs to help you in this great time of need; please let us be your financial consultant and advocate. We are just a phone call or email away at 800.873.5100 (Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.) or at serviceplus@ithinkfi.org.
    
3. If you participate in a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), the restrictions that the Affordable Care Act imposed on over-the-counter medicines have been permanently eliminated and are retroactive to purchases as of January 1, 2020. If you have questions regarding this provision, contact your tax advisor.
    
4. If you have a student loan with the federal government, you don’t have to make payments or pay interest until September 30th, 2020. Contact your lender to find out more information about this provision.

Continue to stay updated on our response to this pandemic by visiting ithinkfi.org/coronavirus.

Thank you for your membership. You are a valued member and owner of YOUR Credit Union. Credit unions differ from banks because as a member, you are also an owner of iTHINK Financial. Please know that we take our commitment of working for you, our owner, very seriously.

Together we will come through this stronger than ever. Stay healthy and safe!

Sincerely,

Michael L. Miller
President/CEO
iTHINK Financial Credit Union
 

Dear Members,

I'm hopeful that this message finds you and yours healthy. iTHINK Financial continues to be your advocate during the COVID-19 crisis. As such, we wanted to provide clear information about the CARES Act and the stimulus money that many of you have received or will receive.

Many of you received your stimulus money in your account this week. As I’m sure you are aware, the IRS is the sole authority for the stimulus money and will not work through any other entity, organization, or resource. If you did not receive your money, you can access the irs.gov/coronavirus website to check the status of your payment.

You should be prepared for many scams regarding this program, which can include:

• Emails encouraging you to provide information or contact someone regarding your stimulus money; the IRS will not send emails regarding these funds for any reason;
   
• Calls encouraging you to provide information or contact someone regarding your stimulus money; the IRS will not phone you for any reason about this stimulus money;
   
• Texts encouraging you to provide information or contact someone regarding your stimulus money; the IRS will not text you for any reason about these funds;
   
• Social media messages encouraging you to provide information or contact someone regarding your stimulus money; the IRS will not communicate with you via social media for any reason;
   
• In summary, the IRS will not reach out to you personally regarding your stimulus money.
  

 
To set up direct deposit of your stimulus money, communicate only with the IRS at irs.gov/coronavirus. You need to do this if you did not give the IRS your account information on your 2018 or 2019 income tax return to expedite receiving your stimulus money.

We know that for some of you, the need for this money is immediate. For others, it is a way you’ll help stimulate the economy or pay it forward to someone else in need. If you decide to save your funds, visit ithinkfi.org as we offer competitive rates to help maximize your investment.

Please remember, YOUR credit union will never initiate a contact and ask for your Personal Identification Number (PIN) or information. We are aware there are bad actors spoofing our phone number, impersonating YOUR Credit Union and asking for your information. We will not call you and ask for your personal information.

Also, through the CARES Act, we have been able to help many of our business members through the Small Business Administration’s Payroll Protection Program (PPP). Unfortunately, as I am writing this email the money Congress appropriated to help our small businesses has run out. We will keep you updated on this program if the status changes.

We know that brighter days are ahead. Thank you for your membership and for continuing to support iTHINK Financial.

Sincerely,

Michael L. Miller
President/CEO
iTHINK Financial Credit Union
 

Dear Members,

At the end of 2019, we were hopeful for a new year. We set resolutions, goals, and couldn’t wait to see what 2020 had in store.

Today life is much different than what we had all envisioned. We certainly grieve with those who have lost loved ones. We empathize with you if you have lost or been furloughed from your job. For many, your homes have been turned into office spaces and classrooms. Still others are unselfishly risking their lives to care for or service those in need. Little could we have imagined that 2020 would be like this.

The spring season has always been associated with “renewal.” Spring is a rebirth and rejuvenation of hope, and I can’t think of a time when hope is more needed. We hear every day of our members helping each other, patients beating the odds, and families reconnecting in new and different ways. We are optimistic for the future and want you to know we are here for you and want to help you in any way we can. Here are some of the tools we developed to help you keep hope and move forward during this challenging time:

• Our Coronavirus Information webpage contains resources on the CARES Act Stimulus Checks, how to use our Skip-A-Payment program, and Fraud Prevention tactics
• We are offering loan assistance to help make ends meet. We’ve made it easy for you to apply online anytime. Click here to apply for a personal loan
• We are offering several webinars at this time, including “How to Weather a Bear Market” hosted by iTHINK Wealth Management on Monday, April 13th from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm EST. You can register for this free webinar by clicking the link below:
  
  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2509537839664481292

If you do not see your specific need above or are unsure of what you need, please contact us. We have increased our call center and online capabilities and are ready and able to assist you.

We are hopeful that your family remains safe and healthy. We know and take peace in the fact that brighter days are ahead. Thank you for continuing to support iTHINK Financial.

Sincerely,

Michael L. Miller
President/CEO
iTHINK Financial Credit Union
 

Dear Members,

It seems like every day we hear more information about how coronavirus is affecting our daily lives. Even though our lobbies remain closed, our Drive Ups, ATMs, and call centers remain open as options to you. We’ve added direct phone numbers for all branch locations on our website. We have increased our capacity to accommodate the unprecedented volume of members using our Online Services, allowing you to perform banking at your convenience and from the comfort of your own space.

Our members are faced with many challenges during this historic situation, and we want to help you navigate through these uncertain times. Below, I’m listing some of the ways we are striving to meet your needs. If you don’t see a solution to your specific situation, please call us and we will work with you.

We know that you may need a temporary assistance loan to help make ends meet. We’ve made it easy for you to apply online anytime. Click here to apply for a personal loan. You can also check the status of your loan request using that same link. We’ll have a decision for you as soon as we can.

We’ve also made it easy for members who qualify to skip their next loan payment on most consumer loans, and we're waiving the normal $30 Skip-A-Payment fee. Members can use this privilege up to three (3) times per loan per rolling 12-month period, and it can be used for consecutive months.

We’re also offering assistance for qualified members who have an iTHINK Financial Mortgage. Email mortgageservicing@ithinkfi.org if you need more information.

It is more important than ever that you stay aware of scams during this time. We’re continually updating our Fraud Prevention page with articles to help you avoid becoming a victim.

Government stimulus checks will be coming out soon. It is important that the IRS has your routing and account number to direct deposit your stimulus check, as paper checks in the mail will take significantly longer to receive. If your banking information was not included in your 2019 or 2018 tax return, a web-based portal will soon be set up to provide your direct deposit information to the IRS online. For more information about getting your CARES stimulus check, visit the IRS's coronavirus page at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus.

For more details on other ways we’re helping our members, please see our Coronavirus Information webpage. We’re updating it regularly.

We hope you and your family remain safe and healthy during this time.

Thank you for being a member and for being the best part of iTHINK Financial.

Sincerely,

Michael L. Miller
President/CEO
iTHINK Financial Credit Union
 

Dear Members,

In our last notice, we communicated some of the measures we’re taking to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) – including closing our lobbies until further notice.  Our Drive Ups, ATMs, and call centers have remained open as options to service our members.  We are experiencing an unprecedented increase in members using our Online Services, allowing them to perform banking at their own convenience and within the comfort of their own space.

As we are reviewing regular updates from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and local health authorities on how to protect your personal health, we’ve noticed there is limited information available on how to maintain your financial health during this pandemic.  As your financial advocate, we’ve prepared some important material to help you remain financially healthy during this uncertain time.

First, protect your household against current scams. Thieves are always looking for opportunities to steal your financial information, and they are getting more creative during this crisis. We’ve identified a number of current scams - please be sure you view the Recent Fraud Articles on the Announcements portion of our website. It is updated daily.

Next, please continue to protect your financial information. If you currently have a myChoice Checking, myDefense Checking, or Grand Checking account, it includes Credit Monitoring and ID Theft Protection Services.  These programs are essential to inform you of changes to your credit history and give you resources to mitigate any unauthorized actions. If you haven’t activated/received your registration certificate number that comes with these checking accounts, contact us today.  If you don’t have one of these checking accounts, open one in Online Banking, and you’ll receive your Credit Monitoring/ID Theft Protection registration certificate number the following business day.

Lastly, protect your investments during this current bear market.  Our credit union has created iTHINK Wealth Management* to assist you in making investments and financial planning.  They’re hosting a free webinar on “How to Weather a Bear Market” on Monday, April 13^th from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm EST.  You can register for it by clicking the link below:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2509537839664481292

Remember, if you are enduring financial hardship as a result of COVID-19, please contact us.  We will work with you and may be able to help you with a special loan program, or our other assistance tools to ease your financial concerns during these uncertain times.

As a credit union member, you are an owner.  We are here to serve you and help you.  Thank you for your membership, support, and for being the best part of iTHINK Financial.

Sincerely,

Michael L. Miller
President/CEO
iTHINK Financial Credit Union
 

Dear Members,

Last week, we shared some of the preventative measures your credit union is taking to help reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Our mission is to provide Service Excellence, and although times have changed, we’re still committed to help our members, while protecting them and our employees. So, I wanted to update you with some additional measures we are taking effective Friday, March 20th, 2020.

Our branches will only utilize Drive Ups to service our members, while our lobbies will close until further notice. ATMs remain operational. Our call center agents remain able to assist you. Many of our members have found that they can reduce trips to branches by taking advantage of electronic options by using our iTHINK Financial app eDeposit feature, Bill Pay, Online Banking, our Mobile Banking App, Quick Pay and eTransfers.

Branches that will be open with Drive Up access are:

We are still closely monitoring the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and local health authority updates. We’ll continue to keep you updated on our website at ithinkfi.org.

As this public health concern evolves, know that we appreciate your membership and support. Thank you for continuing to trust iTHINK Financial to help move you forward.

Sincerely,

Michael L. Miller
President/CEO
iTHINK Financial Credit Union
 

Dear Members,

As the situation regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, we want to reiterate that the health and safety of our Members and Employees are our top priority. We want to share a few of the steps we are taking and our commitment to helping our Members in these uncertain times.

We have prepared for such a scenario in our business recovery plans. We are closely monitoring the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and local health authority updates. We are continuing to make sure our policies and procedures meet or exceed their guidelines. We have learned from our experience with other outbreaks and have continually refined and improved our ability to protect our Employees and Members.

We have our cleaning crews expanding their cleaning and disinfecting procedures; taking extra precautions to use disinfectants and wipe down doorknobs, counter tops, elevator buttons, bathrooms, and similarly exposed areas. Our Employees are sharing in the responsibility by trying to keep our facilities free from the spread of germs and practicing good hygiene and cleaning up after using the kitchen, bathroom, and work areas. We are distributing hand sanitizers in branches, bathrooms, and at Member contact workstations.

You can take preventative measures to help control your health, home, and workplace. If you have concerns about person-to-person interactions, we would encourage you to take advantage of our electronic options by using our iTHINK Financial app eDeposit feature, Bill Pay, Online Banking, our Mobile Banking App, Quick Pay, eTransfers, and our Drive Up facilities. Also, if you have been affected and need financial help as a result of the virus, please contact us and we may be able to help you with a special loan program we have developed for this situation.

Like you, we are taking this public health concern seriously and appreciate your efforts to assist us in getting quickly through this unfortunate situation. Thank you for your membership and support.

 
Sincerely,

Michael L. Miller
President/CEO
iTHINK Financial Credit Union

Your savings at iTHINK Financial are federally insured to at least $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), a federal agency backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. For more information, please refer to NCUA’s Your Insured Funds.

Calculate the insurance coverage on your iTHINK Financial share accounts using NCUA's Share Insurance Estimator:
https://www.mycreditunion.gov/share-insurance-estimator-home

Our iTHINK Financial locations are not operating as CO-OP Shared Branches until further notice.

iTHINK Financial members trying to use a CO-OP Shared Branch at another credit union should check with that location to confirm they are still operating.

If you have already filed your 2019 tax returns, your stimulus payment will be directly deposited into the bank account reflected on your return. If you have not yet filed your 2019 return, the IRS will use the bank information from your 2018 tax return. 

If the IRS does not have your bank information from a 2019 or 2018 tax return, the Treasury has sent up a web-based portal for you to provide your direct deposit information to the IRS online. Have your 2018 and/or 2019 tax return handy; the system will prompt you to add specific line items from your tax return.

In order to request that your CARES stimulus check be direct deposited to your iTHINK Financial account, please use the information below. Direct depositing your stimulus check is safer, plus you'll get to use the money immediately instead of waiting for a check in the mail.

If you are getting a physical check issued, remember you can use eDeposits to safely and securely deposit the funds into your Credit Union checking account.

For more information about getting your CARES stimulus check, visit the IRS's coronavirus page at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus.

 

What is COVID-19?
There are many types of human coronaviruses, including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.

How does COVID-19 spread?
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
• It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Who is at higher risk?
Older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease seem to be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. Early data suggest older people are twice as likely to have serious COVID-19 illness.

What is the Credit Union doing to protect Members and Employees?
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Credit Union National Association
https://www.cuna.org/Coronavirus-Disease-(COVID-19)

World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Florida Department of Health
http://www.floridahealth.gov/

Georgia Department of Public Health
https://dph.georgia.gov/