June 23, 2020
Please continue to visit this page for the most up-to-date information on our response.
A Look Ahead: As We Prepare to Reopen
We look forward to welcoming customers back into our branch lobbies beginning Monday, July 6. All branches will resume their regular operating hours on that date. Click here to read a message from our president.
For now, our lobbies will remain closed and we will continue to serve you through our drive-up windows, ATMs, and electronic banking services, with access to your safe deposit box available by appointment.
We have been preparing our branches for reopening by ensuring that doing business in each location is as safe as possible. Here are just some of the personal protection measures we’re taking:
- We’re installing protective shields at all our teller lines and customer-facing staff desks.
- We’re installing floor markers and directional signage to manage customer foot traffic, including dedicated entry and exit doors when possible, to help promote social distancing.
- We’ll have members of our branch staff serve as greeters, who will be stationed at each entrance to help quickly identify your needs and direct you appropriately.
- We’ll require face coverings for anyone over the age of two who enters our buildings. Please note that you may be asked to remove your face covering briefly for identification purposes. If you are unable to wear a face covering, we ask that you continue using our drive-up services.
- We’ll have hand sanitizing stations available at all entrances.
- We’ve enhanced our cleaning and sanitizing protocols at all our sites.
- We’ll continue our “no handshake” policy.
Economic Impact “Stimulus” Payments
The federal government’s Coronavirus economic relief package includes Economic Impact Payments—more commonly referred to as stimulus payments—to most taxpayers.
Eligibility
Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2019 or 2018 will automatically receive an Economic Impact Payment of up to $1,200 for individuals or $2,400 for married couples, plus up to $500 for each qualifying child.
- Tax filers with adjusted gross incomes of up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns will receive the full payment.
- For filers with incomes above those amounts, the payment amount will be reduced by $5 for every $100 in income above the $75,000/$150,000 thresholds.
- Single filers with incomes exceeding $99,000 and joint filers with incomes exceeding $198,000 with no children are not eligible to receive payments.
- Recipients of Social Security, Railroad Retirement, disability, and veteran’s benefits as well as taxpayers who do not have enough earnings to typically have to file a tax return are also eligible to receive payments.
For people who have already filed their 2019 tax returns, the IRS will use this information to calculate the payment amount. For those who have not yet filed their returns for 2019, the IRS will use information from their 2018 tax filing to calculate the payment.
Payment Methods
If you’re eligible, the IRS will either deposit the money directly into your bank account or send you an EIP Card. The payment method will be determined by how you received your 2019 federal tax refund (or your 2018 refund if you have not yet filed for 2019).
If your tax refund was direct deposited, your payment will be deposited to the same bank account as your refund. The first such direct deposits may be initiated as early as April 10 with accounts credited by approximately April 15. Simply log into Online Banking or our Mobile Banking app to see the deposit in your account.
If you did not receive a refund or received it by check, you can take the following steps:
- Visit the IRS’s web-based portal at IRS.gov to enter your banking information. Doing so should speed up receipt of your payment. Be sure to have your account number and bankHometown’s routing number handy: 211371926
- If you take no action, you will receive your payment by EIP Card.
EIP Cards
The U.S. Treasury recently announced that EIP Cards would be mailed instead of paper checks when your bank account information is not on file with the IRS. Here’s what you need to know.
- An EIP Card is a prepaid debit card that contains your stimulus payment. You will receive an EIP Card if you are eligible for an EIP payment but do not have bank account information on file with the IRS.
- EIP Cards will be mailed in a plain envelope from “Money Network Cardholder Services” to the most recent mailing address on file with the IRS. The Visa® logo appears on the front of the card while the back of the card has the name of the issuing bank, MetaBank®, N.A. The card mailing includes a fee schedule and cardholder agreement that explain the features of the card and how to use it.
- Only one EIP Card is issued per tax return, so if the tax return was filed jointly, the card will be issued in two names. The first name listed on the card is the primary cardholder.
- The primary cardholder is the one who must activate the card, create a PIN, and register for online and telephone access by calling 800.240.8100.
- Once activated, cardholders can access the funds on the card in several ways:
- Get cash at an ATM or at a merchant that offers point-of-sale (POS) purchases with cash back. To withdraw funds from an ATM, choose “withdrawal from checking.” Refer to the documentation that accompanies the card for information on ATM withdrawal limits and fees.
- Make purchases anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted—in stores, online, or by phone.
- Transfer the funds to an existing bank account using the EIP Card’s online access or mobile app. Refer to the documentation that accompanies the card for instructions on registering for online or mobile access.
- Order a Money Network Check® by calling 800.240.8100.
Please note that bankHometown will not process cash advances on EIP Cards. Additional information on EIP Card features, limits, fees, and functionality can be found at EIPCard.com or by calling 800.240.8100.
We're Here For You.
Beginning on March 19th, we are putting the following programs in place to support our customers’ short-term needs as a result of hardships they may face due to the Coronavirus pandemic until further notice. Click here to read a message from our president.
- We will waive early withdrawal penalties on CD withdrawals up to $10,000 per customer.
- On an individualized basis, we will consider options to support the needs of consumer loan and mortgage loan customers who may have difficulty meeting their payment obligations in the months ahead.
- Our commercial loan officers will work with impacted business customers to assess their banking needs to ensure their operations remain intact despite loss of income or other impact to their business as a result of this pandemic.
Ways to Bank from Home.
We offer electronic banking services that let you connect with your money, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including:
- Online Banking and Bill Pay. Check balances, view transactions, see which checks have cleared, transfer funds, pay bills, make loan payments and more from any computer or device with Internet access. Click here for a video tutorial.
- eStatements. Get your statements electronically through Online Banking. See up to 16 months of statements automatically and print and save them, too. Click here for a video tutorial.
- Mobile Banking. Download our mobile app to take your money with you wherever you go. It’s secure, easy, and free.
- Mobile Deposit. Make deposits right from home using the camera on your smartphone.
- Telephone Banking. Get 24-hour access to your account information by phone, anytime, by calling 888.826.1120. Check balances, verify transactions, transfer funds, and more.
- Debit Card. Shop from home and enjoy a secure way to make payments.
- Zelle Person-to-Person Payments. Use Zelle to send or receive money through Online Banking or our Mobile Banking app.
- Live Chat. Chat live one-on-one with a member of our Customer Care team.
Ways to Sign Up to Bank from Home.
- Visit our website at bankHometown.com and click “Logins” to sign up for Online Banking, Bill Pay, or Zelle.
- Download our Mobile Banking app from The App Store or Google Play to sign up for Mobile Banking or Zelle.
- Use Mobile Deposit by opening our Mobile Banking app and choosing “Deposit a Check.”
- Order a new debit card by visiting the service center within Online Banking.
- Sign up for Telephone Banking by calling 888.826.1120 and following the prompts.
- Sign up for eStatements by logging into Online Banking and choosing the “eDocuments” tab.
- To begin a Live Chat, log into Online Banking and click the “Chat Online” icon. Or click the Live Chat icon on bankHometown.com.
For your safety and ours, if you have traveled internationally or visited an impacted area in the last 30 days, please call us at 888.307.5887 to transact any banking business. Our Customer Care team is ready and waiting to assist you with your banking needs.
Beware of Unemployment Fraud
A new identity theft scheme is spreading across several states, including Massachusetts: Fake unemployment claims are being filed using personal information stolen in recent national data breaches. Often, victims learn they’ve been targeted when they receive letters in the mail about their pandemic unemployment benefits—though they’ve never filed a claim.
If you believe your identity was stolen to file a false unemployment claim, take the following steps:
- Report the fraud to the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance at gov/unemployment-fraud or by calling 877.626.6800.
- Alert us by calling our Customer Care team at 888.307.5887. We will flag your accounts for suspected identity theft.
- Review your credit report from the three credit reporting agencies by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com, as the scheme could indicate that fraudsters have captured your Social Security number and could use it to commit other types of fraud.
Ways to Protect Yourself from Fraud.
Where many of us see uncertainty, fraudsters see opportunity. Scammers have developed fraudulent websites, emails, and telemarketing calls to try to swindle taxpayers out of their stimulus payments. Others are trying to peddle Coronavirus-related cures, treatments, and other products. All are designed to get their hands on your money or your personal or financial information. Be vigilant and cautious!
Here are some ways to protect yourself:
- Do not give anyone your account information or Online Banking username and password in connection with speeding up stimulus payments. The IRS will not text, call or email you to ask for or verify your banking information for your stimulus payment. Do not fall for scams promising to speed up your payment or asking you to sign over your payment check. Watch out for bogus checks, perhaps in an odd amount, with instructions to verify banking information by phone or online in order to cash it.
- Do not fall for emails, calls, or websites advertising products or services that promise protection, treatments, or cures for Coronavirus. None are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and no legitimate-home test kits or vaccinations are for sale.
- Never open emails or click on the links or attachments in emails from unknown or unsolicited senders. Doing so could download malicious software onto your computer or device or lead you to fake websites looking to steal your personal information.
- Make sure you have the most up-to-date security software and the latest updates downloaded on your computer or device.
If you suspect you’ve been the victim of a scam, contact our Customer Care team immediately at 888.307.5887.
To learn more about protecting yourself and sign up for consumer alerts on the latest scams related to Coronavirus, visit the Federal Trade Commission's Coronavirus page.
Ways to Learn More.
If you're looking for more information on the Coronavirus or ways to protect yourself, visit these websites:
The Centers for Disease Control
The World Health Organization
The Mass.gov Coronavirus Update
The Federal Trade Commission
Additional Resources.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) has recently released several resources to help consumers take steps to protect their finances during the COVID-19 pandemic, including how to avoid financial scams and submit complaints to the Bureau:
Protect yourself financially from the impact of the coronavirus
The CFPB information and resources continues for informed financial decisions
Protecting your credit during the coronavirus pandemic
Coronavirus and dealing with debt: Tips to help ease the impact
Tips for financial caregivers during the coronavirus pandemic
Small Business Resources.
COVID-19 Resources and Guidance for Businesses
Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program
Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019
Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
We're Here to Help.
Of course, if you need assistance, you can call our Customer Care team to speak with a representative at 888.307.5887. Our hours of operation are:
Monday - Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
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