Amplify's Coronavirus Response

Here's where you can find frequent updates regarding Amplify's response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Written By Matthew Monagle (Member Support)

Updated at April 4th, 2022

In this section, we’ll address the changes we’ve undergone to ensure the health of our team amid COVID-19, our options for complete remote service, and the multiple ways we are prepared to handle financial uncertainty.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Amplify Credit Union, like other financial institutions, has been deemed "critical infrastructure" by the Department of the Treasury and is from Austin's shelter-in-place orders.
  • ATM services and night drops are available at all branch locations. Drive-thru services are available at our Esperanza and Pond Springs branches.
  • Our mask policy is regularly updated using guidance from Austin Public Health. As of Thursday, July 22, we are strongly recommending masks for all members.
  • If you are worried about your ability to make your upcoming loan payments, Amplify is offering deferment options available to eligible borrowers. See below for more information.
  • If you included your direct deposit information on your 2018 or 2019 tax returns, you Economic Impact Payment (or stimulus check) will be directly deposited to your Amplify account. Visit the IRS website to check your upcoming payment status.Branch

Branch Services and Operations

What Are Your COVID-19 Safety Plans?

In 2020, our leadership team developed a detailed pandemic plan using guidance from Austin Public Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  As our community begins its slow recovery from the pandemic, this team will meet regularly to ensure our internal processes are in keeping with the most recent guidance from city and federal officials. We will use this article to provide updates to our members should that guidance result in changes to branch services.


Are Amplify’s Branches Still Closed to the Public?

As of April 4, 2022, most Amplify Credit Union branches are open to the public without an appointment. In accordance with the City of Austin's COVID-19 risk-based guidelines, our team is also no longer enforcing capacity requirements at our branches. We continue to encourage unvaccinated members to wear a mask while visiting Amplify, and our team is happy to provide members with masks upon request.

Please note that our Cedar Park and La Frontera locations remain temporarily closed to the public. You can review the details behind this decision on the Amplify website. As of this writing, our team is hard at work on recruiting and training our new branch staff, and we hope to reopen both locations soon.

For a full list of our hours of operations, please visit the Service Locations and Hours page on the Amplify website.


Do I Need an Appointment to Visit an Amplify Branch?

You are no longer required to make an appointment to visit an Amplify branch.


Are Drive-Thru Services Available to Members?

If you still have concerns about using our in-branch services, we encourage you to take advantage of our drive-thru services at our Esperanza Crossing and Pond Springs locations. Our drive-thrus are open six days a week and our team is happy to help you maintain a socially distant banking experience.

Here are the hours of operation for our drive-thru services:

  • Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM CST
  • Saturday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM CST

What Remote or Online Services Are Available to Amplify Members?

As a digital-first credit union, Amplify team has invested heavily in providing online solutions to our membership. This allows us to offer our full range of financial services during regular business hours. From self-service member support to virtual consultations with mortgage officers, we are happy to meet you where you need to be.

  • If you need to deposit a check, you can use our the mobile check deposit feature included in the Amplify Credit Union app. Read our Mobile Check Deposit article for a step-by-step walkthrough of how this service works.
  • If you need to deposit cash, you can also use our night drop services at each of our branch locations. Read our Night Drop article for more information on our night drop requirements and forms.

And as always, please contact our Call Center at (512) 836-5901 if you have additional questions or need personalized account support.


CARES Act and Loan Deferments

When Will I Receive My Stimulus Check?

As part of the CARES Act, Congress authorized a series of Economic Impact Payments (also known as Stimulus Checks). These payments are intended to help Americans navigate the economic hardship brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligible payees can expect payment through one of these three methods:

  • If you included direct deposit information on your 2018 or 2019 tax return, your payment will be deposited by the IRS into the same account as that year’s tax refund.
  • If you did not include direct deposit information on your 2018 or 2019 tax return, the IRS will mail your check to the address on record.
  • If you did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019, please provide your contact information on the IRS Economic Impact Payment Non-Filer page as soon as possible.

We also recommend enabling direct deposit account alerts in Online Banking to receive immediate notification when these funds become available.

Please note that Amplify Credit Union does not have any additional information regarding payment amounts and upcoming schedules. Visit the IRS Economic Impact Payment portal to see your stimulus check status and payment method.


Will Amplify Remove Funds from My Economic Impact Payment?

Recently, some members have expressed concern that their financial institution will automatically apply Economic Impact Payments to outstanding loan balances. Amplify Credit Union will not automatically apply any portion of your stimulus check to other account balances. If you are concerned about the status of a current loan, we encourage you to reach out to our Loan Servicing team as soon as possible to explore alternative payment options. We also strongly recommend you double-check any active automatic payments before these funds are deposited.

In some rare cases, members may see their stimulus check posted to an account with a negative balance. In these instances, part of the payment will be used to bring your current account balance back to zero ($0.00). Your payment total will then be your Economic Impact Payment amount minus the negative balance.


I'm Worried About Missing an Upcoming Payment. Can Amplify Help?

We recognize that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may have a profound impact on our members' finances. For families worried about making upcoming loan payments, we want you to be aware of relief options available and accommodations that may be possible related to COVID-19. We’re able to provide the most assistance before loan payments are late, so we urge you to consider one of these steps as soon as you believe you may be at risk.

  • Consumer Loans: Amplify members with consumer loans, such as an auto loan or a Homeowners Express loan, are eligible to apply for our Skip-a-Pay program. That allows members to defer a loan payment for 1-3 months. For those facing financial hardship related to COVID-19, we’re currently waiving the $35.00 processing fee typically associated with this program. Please visit the Skip-a-Pay section of our website to learn more about the application process.
  • Mortgage Loans: Members whose mortgage is with Amplify and who are affected by COVID-19 can ask to be placed on a forbearance plan. If approved, that means mortgage payments are suspended for 90 days, offering some breathing room to stabilize finances. Please contact our loan servicing team at (512) 519-5417 to learn more about your repayment options.
  • Commercial Loans: We are currently recommending current borrowers seek out Direct Disaster loans with the Small Business Administration (SBA). For those businesses in need of a deferral, our lending team has developed a multi-step review process that may result in an extended deferment. For more information, please contact your dedicated commercial loan officer.

If you have questions about your current loan or need advice on how to begin the deferment application process, please contact our member support team at (512) 836-5901.


Is Amplify Still Accepting Paycheck Protection Program Loans?

As of Wednesday, May 5, the Small Business Administration has exhausted its Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds for most lenders. This means that Amplify Credit Union is no longer accepting applications for PPP loans. 

Prospective borrowers may still be able to apply through a “community financial institution,” which includes Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), minority deposit institutions, and other qualifying small lenders. These lenders have access to about $8b in loan funding as part of a congressionally-mandated set aside, although their funding may run out too before the program expires at the end of May. PeopleFund is just one example of a community financial institution operating here in Central Texas.

For more information on additional COVID-19 relief options - including the Shuttered Venues Grant and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund - please visit the Small Business Administration website as funding allows.


Amplify Credit Union Account Protection

Are My Funds With Amplify Insured?

Amplify Credit Union is a member of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an independent federal agency that supervises and regulates credit unions across the country. The NCUA operates and manages the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), which is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

For more information, please visit our NCUA / NCUSIF article in the Amplify Credit Union Help Center.



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