Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

June 15, 2021
80% Vaccination Threshold Achieved in Vermont
After more than 15 months of being under an emergency Executive Order issue by Vermont Governor Scott in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State has reached a long-sought threshold of 80% vaccination of all eligible individuals. While this has been a Vermont order, throughout the pandemic Union Bank has been following this guidance in all of our branch locations in Vermont and New Hampshire for our pandemic response, because we are Vermont chartered, and for consistency of approach in both states.

By achieving the 80% vaccination rate, the Governor has lifted the emergency Executive Order and the requirement for individuals to wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status. Union Bank as a company, will no longer be required to follow the social distancing and occupancy standards. For individuals that have not been vaccinated, the bank recommends the continued wearing of a mask and practicing social distancing when in the bank. Vaccinated individuals may voluntarily continue to wear a mask if desired. For the time being, the bank plans to keep in place the Plexiglas barriers installed in the branches. More information will follow in the next couple of weeks of new developments occur.

May 25, 2021
Updated Masking Guidelines
Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the states of Vermont and New Hampshire, as well as all town and municipal governments within Union Bank’s footprint (including the town of Stowe, VT as of May 25, 2021), customers who are fully vaccinated and have had two weeks pass since their last vaccine shot will no longer be required to wear face masks while in Union Bank offices. Anyone who is not yet fully vaccinated will still be required to wear a face mask. Thank you for your cooperation.

May 18, 2021
State of Vermont Issues New Masking Guidelines
The State of Vermont has lifted the mandatory masking requirement for individuals who have been fully vaccinated, including the 14-day waiting period after one’s last vaccination. The State of New Hampshire had previously lifted their masking requirements. Accordingly, Union Bank will allow customers who are fully vaccinated into our lobbies and not wear masks. For now, unvaccinated individuals must continue to wear a mask as stipulated by the Vermont Governor’s Executive Order. This holds true whether the individual has not been able to be vaccinated yet, or chooses not to be vaccinated.

Please note that some municipalities in Vermont and New Hampshire have maintained more stringent masking requirements than those directed by the Governors of Vermont and New Hampshire. The Vermont Governor’s addendum to his Executive Order issued on May 14th states that if a municipality has a more stringent mask requirement than the municipality requirement must continue to be followed. Currently, this only affects our Stowe, Vermont branch where a mask mandate remains in place. We will continue to keep this page updated as municipalities change their guidelines.

April 29, 2021
State of Vermont Re-Starts the Vermont COVID Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program
The State of Vermont recently received money through the Federal Cares Act. The Vermont legislature has appropriated additional funds to re-start last winter’s mortgage assistance program to help eligible Vermont households repay past due amounts on their mortgages or property taxes due to the pandemic.

If you are a Vermont homeowner with a mortgage (entered into prior to March 1, 2020), and have missed at least one mortgage payment and/or property tax payment on your principal residence, you may be eligible to receive a grant to help you get caught up on your payments.

The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) is accepting applications beginning on or after Monday, May 3, 2021.

To learn more about the program’s eligibility requirements, go to Vermont COVID Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program where you will find the application, FAQ’s and contact information.

March 22, 2021
Branch Lobbies Reopening Monday March 29 (and those offices with Saturday hours opening March 27, 2021)
All Branch lobbies will again be open for in-lobby customer banking transactions with some restrictions:

Face masks are required (covering mouth and nose).
The number of customers permitted access at any one point in time will be limited to maintain safe distancing.

Branch Locations and Hours

March 19, 2021
The New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides assistance to eligible residents who cannot pay their rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Do You Need Help Paying Your Rent and Utilities?

COVID Relief Bill Updates:

March 11, 2021
Stimulus checks and fraud. As Americans anticipate a new stimulus check anticipated for the end of March, once again, scammers will use the news to try to steal money and personal information by targeting consumers and institutions.
Please be aware of the top 8 red flags if receiving a Federal stimulus check:
1. If you receive a text message about a new stimulus check
2. Asked to verify or provide financial information by phone, email, or text to speed up the delivery of your payment
3. The person you’re talking to via text or email uses language other than “economic impact payment”
4. You’re a retiree who doesn’t normally file a tax return and someone offers to submit
information for you or claims you must verify the information before getting your check
5. You receive a bogus check in the mail
6. Someone says they can get you your payment faster
7. Email attachments promising special information about payments or refunds
8. You’re told you have to pay to get your check.

January 6, 2021
Federal Economic Stimulus: Union Bank deposits electronic payments automatically, as they come in. To learn more about the Federal stimulus payments, please visit www.irs.gov

December 21, 2020
On December 21st, Congress passed a new COVID-related relief bill that includes payments in the coming weeks of up to $600 to most individuals.

In the 5,500-page legislation, Congress included another forgivable loan program for employers. Union Bank plans to participate in this latest Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and will again prioritize serving our existing business and non-profit organization customers.

Union Bank is awaiting the rules for the latest program. We anticipate that the Federal PPP guidelines, which should be announced by early January, will be stricter, targeting the program at the organizations most adversely impacted by the pandemic or those that did not participate in the first round of funding.

We anticipate that this new package will offer funding for those businesses that did not receive PPP money in the first round and allow businesses additional PPP money if they can show losses of 25% or greater in 2020 over their 2019 revenue.

We will share more information once the US Small Business Administration issues guidelines.

November 18, 2020
Branch Lobbies Closing Monday, November 23, 2020
Due to the recent and significant increase in the daily infection rate of the COVID-19 virus in Vermont and New Hampshire, we are closing all branch lobbies beginning on Monday, November 23rd until further notice with the following guidelines in place:

Banking transactions will be performed at our drive-up windows.
Customers may enter lobbies and conference rooms by appointment only and only for transactions (including loan closings and access to safe deposit boxes) that cannot be completed at drive-up windows providing they are not exhibiting COVID related symptoms.
Wearing a mask and maintaining appropriate social distancing is required in order to enter bank facilities.
Customer meetings will be conducted via phone or video to the extent possible.
For contact tracing purposes, any non-Union Bank employee entering a branch or the main office will need to provide their name and phone number.

Following is a list of our branch drive-up hours. You can also access branch drive-up hours on our Locations page.

Drive-up Hours

Vermont
Berlin	8:30-4:30 M-W	8-5 Th-F		802.476.0061
Fairfax	8-4 M-Th	8-6 F		802.849.2600
Hardwick	8-4 M-W	8-5 Th, 8-5:30 F		802.472.8100
Jeffersonville	8-4 M-W	8-5 Th-F		802.644.6600
Jericho	8-5 M-F			802.899.7500
Johnson	8-4 M-Th	8-6 F		802.635.6600
Lyndonville	8-5 M-Th	8-6 F	8:30-12 Sat	802.626.3100
Morrisville Main Office	8-4 M-Th	8-6 F		802.888.6600
Morrisville - Plaza	8-4 M-Th	8-6 F	8:30-12 Sat	802.888.6860
St. Albans	8:30-5 M-F		9-12 Sat	802.524.9000
St. Johnsbury - Portland St.	8-5 M-Th	8-6 F	8:30-12 Sat	802.748.3121
St. Johnsbury - RR St.	Closed temporarily			802.748.3131
Stowe	8-4 M-Th	8-6 F	8:30-12 Sat	802.253.6600
Williston	8:30-5 M-F		9-12 Sat	802.878.7900

New Hampshire
Groveton	8:30-4 M-Th	8:30-5 F	8:30-12 Sat	603.636.1611
Lincoln	8:30-5 M-F		8:30-12 Sat	603.745.4000
Littleton - Dells Rd	8:30-5 M-F		8:30-12 Sat	603.444.7136
Littleton - Main St.	Closed temporarily			603.444.5321

Our ATM’s, customer service and digital banking solutions, including our remote check deposit feature, are readily available to serve you. For more information about accessing our remote banking services that include online banking, mobile banking, and our convenient ATM network please scroll further down the page or call our Customer Care Team at 800.753.4343.

We recognize how the coronavirus is impacting our communities in many ways, medically and economically, and encourage our customers to contact us with any concerns.

Please be assured, you will continue to have easy access to your accounts. In the meantime, please check back for occasional updates.

We are here to help and we will get through this together.

Thank you.

September 3, 2020

Service Alert – Branch Hours

There is the possibility that with school, daycare and health pressures, we may face intermittent staffing challenges, particularly in our branch offices. Some of these we will be able to anticipate, others may develop more suddenly. Our desire is to keep all offices open and operating on normal schedules, but there is a high likelihood that some office(s) may need to shift to drive-up only services for some days or parts of days.

Our ATM’s, customer service and digital banking solutions, including remote check deposit feature, are readily available to serve you.

Please check back for regular updates or call our Customer Care Team with questions. 800.753.4343.

August 31, 2020

COVID Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program Extended

The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) announces the new Vermont COVID Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program to help low- moderate income homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments. The program offers $5 million in funding through the federal CARES Act. The VHFA will administer the program. Applications are being accepted through the fall 2020.

More info about the program and how to start the application process.

Phased – In Reopening of Branches

Following the directives of Vermont Governor Scott’s Be Smart/Stay Safe executive order, Union Bank is now planning the gradual reopening of our branch lobbies. We are taking our customers’ and employee health concerns seriously and will be prudent in our protective measures as we reopen.

Over the course of the next few weeks, Union Bank plans to reopen in phases, dependent on current health conditions, emergency orders applicable to our communities, and our ability to modify our branch offices to provide prudent protective measures.

We re-opened our branch lobbies starting with Phase 1 on Wednesday, May 27.

Our New Hampshire offices will operate under the same framework and all branch locations will resume normal business hours.

Plan Phases for Re-Opening:

Phase 1
Limited Access – The bank will limit the number of customers allowed in the branch to maintain the 25% of normal occupancy requirement (the number of customers permitted will vary by branch). Customers will be required to wear a mask, so we ask everyone to please plan accordingly. If no mask is worn, customers will be asked to use the drive-up window. Our staff will also be wearing masks whenever in the presence of another individual.

Phase 2
Open Access – with preventative measures in place

Phase 3
Eventual return to regular, unrestricted access

Protective Measures:

Employee Training- Vermont Department of Labor’s VOSHA training for COVID-19 has been completed by all employees
Any employee with COVID-19 symptoms or exposure to others with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 are required to stay home and self-isolate
Employees are expected to check temperatures before coming to work and immediately self-report any COVID-19 related symptoms to their supervisor.
All customer-facing employees are required to wear masks when in the presence of others
For everyone’s well-being, we ask all customers to wear masks when visiting the branch office
Social Distancing- the expectation that 6-foot distancing be maintained between all occupants in the branch office
Plexiglass shields at the teller stations to provide adequate separation between customer and branch employees
Hand sanitizer available for employees and customers
Branch furniture and fixtures regularly wiped down

If you have questions, or need assistance, contact our Customer Care Team at 800.753.4343, or call your local branch.

Together we want to help you, our employees and our communities stay safe and healthy as we enter into the next phase of our state’s economy opening back up. We will notify you of any additional changes that occur.

What if I need to discuss a new loan or unable to make my loan payments?

New or in-Process Loan:
Contact your local loan officer, your local branch at the phone number listed above or call 800.753.4343. Commercial customers, please contact your lender. If you are unsure of the correct contact number, go to ublocal.com for a listing of our commercial lenders.

Unable to Make Loan Payment:
If you are unable to make your loan payments due to a financial hardship caused by COVID 19, we have a program to help:

Forbearance Program:

Your loan will be placed into a four-month forbearance status (temporary pause in payments). This means you will not have to make a loan payment for the next four months.
Late fees will not be charged.
Your loan will not be reported as “late” to the credit agencies.
The forbearance will expire when you return to work or after four months, whichever comes first.
You are required to inform us when you return to work.
If you are not back to work by the end of the four-month period, we may be able to extend the forbearance.

How can I get more information about the Forbearance Program?

Please send an email to: [email protected]
Be sure to include in the subject line: Forbearance Information- Last Name
Provide your name, address, and last four digits of your loan account number

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released this very informative video about the things you need to know about Forbearance Programs:

Options for Mortgage and Rent Payment Relief

Economic Impact Payment

In March, Congress passed—and President Trump signed into law—the CARES Act, a $2 trillion
economic relief package to provide assistance to American consumers and businesses struggling as a
result of the coronavirus pandemic. A provision of the law includes sending government payments to
eligible Americans. To help answer common questions about these payments, the American Bankers
Association has developed the following questions and answers as well as the Department of the Treasury and the New England ACH organization, NEACH:

NEACH Update on Economic Impact Payments

COVID Economic Impact Payment FAQs

Protect Your Economic Impact Payment- 5 Scams

Department of the Treasury – Treasury Checks for Economic Impact Payments (EIP)

How to set up an alert in Online Banking that you have received your Federal EIP (stimulus) check

Login to digital banking (Web or Mobile App) and on the left menu, select Settings, then Alerts.
In the New Alert drop-down list, select History Alert.
Select the account that you expect your stimulus payment to go into. This is the account number you provided the IRS to deposit your 2018 or 2019 tax refund in.
Select a transaction of Description.
Enter a description of TAX REF. We have been told by the IRS the electronic payments will contain TAX REFUND as part of the description.
Select a delivery method, which may be email, text message, or phone call. In the example below, email was selected.
Uncheck the Frequency checkbox so you only receive the message once, otherwise you will receive the message everyday after the stimulus payment goes in your account.

Click the Save button. Verify the alert is enabled by going into your History Alerts and checking that the alert is On.

Other Questions/needs

Call us and ask. We will work with you on the best way to meet your needs.

Union Bank is monitoring the impact of the coronavirus and the disease which it causes, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (abbreviated COVID-19). The coronavirus is a respiratory illness that was initially identified in Wuhan, China, and has now been detected in countries around the world. Union Bank is well prepared and we will continue to keep you informed on our website (ublocal.com) and Facebook page as things change.

Tools for Banking Remotely:

Inquire on account balances
Transfer funds between accounts
Transfer funds to others using our P2PHub service
Transfer Funds to/from your accounts at other institutions
Deposit checks using the Mobile Deposit function on our app
Bill Pay

If you have not yet tried our free Online and Mobile Banking services, consider signing up today at ublocal.com. Go to the Log In prompt at ublocal.com select Sign Up and follow the prompts.

If you are an existing Online or Mobile Banking customer and you wish to try some of the additional functionality available to you, log in and explore. If you have questions, please contact our Customer Care Team at 800.753.4343 and we will be happy to help.

For added convenience, this simple and secure service allows you to deposit checks into your account without coming to the bank.

If you are not quite ready to try online banking, consider using our Telebanking system. You can find account balances and transfer funds between your Union Bank accounts with Telebanking. With your account number and social security number (or tax ID number) handy, call 800.583.2869, and follow the prompts.

To guard against fraud, sign up for and begin using the Card Valet App. The app alerts you to any transactions posting to your debit card, and allows you to turn it on or off, or to designate the areas (geographic or industry category) where your debit card may be used.

Consider using any of our ATMs, or any of the 55,000 no-fee Allpoint ATMs to access cash using your Union Bank ATM or Debit Card. In addition to mobile check deposit and drive-through banking, you can also deposit checks or cash at our conveniently located ATMs* located at our branches.

* Union Bank ATMs located separately from our branches may not accept deposits.

Staying Safe and Paying Attention
Coronavirus -themed scams are on the rise. Cybercriminals are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to carry out more fraud scams towards individuals and businesses.

Always remember — Union Bank will never request sensitive financial or personal information via email, text message or telephone call. The following links offer information to help customers spot tactics being used by fraudsters trying to obtain your financial information and steal your money.
COVID-19 Scam Roundup
Coronavirus: Scammers follow the headlines- Federal Trade Commission
FTC: Coronavirus Scams, Part 2
Coronavirus scams to watch out for- American Bankers Association

Our Priority:
Remains the health and safety of our customers and employees, while continuing to meet your financial needs. Here are some things that you can do to prepare in the event of a worsening of the coronavirus or, to more generally, prepare for emergency situations and reduce your need to visit a Union Bank branch:

Utilize direct deposit for your payroll, tax refund, dividends, social security or retirement receipt. It is the quickest and safest way to get the money into your account
Stay connected with Online Banking. We encourage you to test your ability to connect (confirm that you have a user name and password and can log on).
Download and sign-in to the Union Bank mobile app and use our mobile check deposit function to remotely deposit a check with your smart phone or tablet.
Download and use the specialty service, CardValet, to restrict and monitor how your debit card is used.
Use our bill pay service to pay your bills from home and avoid using the postal system.
Use our Apple Pay mobile payment option.
We also offer telephone banking (800.583.2869), as well as cash access at dozens of Union Bank ATM’s along with fee-free access at Community National Bank ATM’s and 55,000 ATM’s in the Allpoint network.
Maintain some manner of emergency savings fund, adequate insurance and, to supplement your debit card, a supply of checks and cash
Avoid scams – fraudsters are creative and will look for ways to take advantage of the fear created by this virus outbreak. Do not let fear cloud your judgment when accessing links from emails and online posts. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has published information to help you protect yourself from scammers.
Stay up to date with trustworthy information –The Centers for Disease Control posts the most up to date and reliable information at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.htmlIf you have questions, including how to best minimize the disruption to your banking needs, please call us at 800.753.4343 or 802.888.6600 or message us through online banking or the contact us page on our website.

Special Request

If you’re feeling under the weather, we encourage you to use the above electronic options to do your banking, but if you need to do your banking in person, we ask that you please use the Night Drop Box or Drive-Up Window at one of our branch locations.