Branch banking

Often overlooked in narratives about essential workers, branch and call-center employees are responding to challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis. They’ve processed emergency-relief loans late into the night, coached customers unfamiliar with mobile banking and made house calls to elderly account holders.

The Summerville, S.C.-based institution will also close two branches as part of a broader strategic effort to better service members.

COVID-19 diagnoses in McKinley County, which includes Gallup, account for nearly a quarter of the state's cases. That has forced officials to take drastic action.

Credit unions moved quickly to reduce branch access as the coronavirus crisis worsened. The harder decision will be when and how to begin lifting those restrictions.

U.K. ATM operator LINK reported that its cash withdrawals have fallen by 60% over the past month ending April 27 when compared to the same period one year earlier.

Financial institutions are finding that on-screen agents can offer most services that occur in a branch, but with a more personal touch than the phone or internet.

The Georgia bank could rely more on drive-through-only branches, trim office space and reassess staffing levels after the coronavirus crisis, according to Kessel Stelling.

The pandemic won’t halt the Cincinnati bank's plan to open about 100 branches in the Southeast, but features could be added to accommodate social distancing.

Few lenders are finding creative ways to provide much-needed financial advice and emergency services online.

Credit unions serving university communities got an early taste of life during the pandemic when classes moved online and campuses cleared out.

Losses on commercial real estate aren’t expected to be as bad as the 2008 crisis; as more cities announce shutdowns, consumers turn to online payments.

It joins a growing list of banks temporarily shuttering branches as the novel coronavirus continues to spread across the country and more Americans stay home. Meanwhile, Citi and rival Wells Fargo became the latest banks to announce plans to pay bonuses to front-line employees.

The coronavirus is changing how consumers interact in branches and banking online. Bank leaders should be prepared.

Banks cutting back on branch services — or closing stores outright — to slow spread of coronavirus; Trump administration to halt foreclosures as pandemic worsens; Wells Fargo hires TD's Ellen Patterson as general counsel; and more from this week's most-read stories.

Some banks have closed branches or restricted access and bank tech resources are being overwhelmed; bank pays a record SKr4 billion ($400 million) for issues.

Institutions across the country are restricting entrance to their facilities to help curb the spread of COVID-19 but profitability issues could crop up if the pandemic drags on.

Truist, Key, Fifth Third and PNC became the latest banks to restrict branch access to the drive-through window or appointment only.

The coronavirus outbreak has led many banks to close branches, but for those that remain open, it's a new normal.

The biggest bank in the U.S. will temporarily close 20% of its branches, following recommendations by health experts. It said it would also operate its remaining branches at reduced hours.

High-tech self-service channels can help credit unions effectively and efficiently meet members' needs during a time of social distancing.