COVID-19 Updates
Staying connected while keeping apart
Kootenay Savings remains committed to providing access to your accounts in the best way possible through a combination of assisted and self-serve channels. We continue to do our part to keep our employees, members and communities safe by following the guidelines and recommendations of the provincial health authorities.
Although all our branches are currently open and operating with limited hours, we urge members to stay safe and conduct as much banking as possible through our online, mobile and phone banking, our 24/7 ATMs or by calling our Member Service Centre. If you haven’t yet tried any of these convenient banking options, call 1.800.665.5728 and we can help get you started.
CURRENT BRANCH HOURS
| Monday to Friday Branches Castlegar, Trail Kimberley, Salmo Closed Monday, August 3 for BC Day |
Tuesday to Saturday Branches Kaslo, Invermere Nakusp, South Slocan Closed Monday, August 3 for BC Day |
| Monday and Thursday Only New Denver To accommodate BC Day Closure: BRANCH WILL BE OPEN ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 4 SENIORS HOUR: 10:00 am to 11:00 am ALL MEMBERS: 11:00 am to 3:00 pm |
Monday and Friday Only Fruitvale, Radium To accommodate BC Day Closure: BRANCH WILL BE OPEN ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 4 SENIORS HOUR: 10:00 am to 11:00 am ALL MEMBERS: 11:00 am to 3:00 pm |
SENIORS HOUR ONLY 10:00 am to 11:00 am
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More Holiday Hours here.
APPOINTMENTS REMAIN BY PHONE ONLY.
Please click on the tabs below for the latest updates and information.
Banking Options
Virtually, most of your banking needs can be done from the comfort of your home through online, mobile or phone.
We urge you to take advantage of these banking options and ask that you only go to branch if necessary.
If you haven’t used these options, we can help get you started.
- Online and mobile banking options
- Member Service Contact Centre - 1.800.665.5728, press 4
- Phone Banking - 1.800.665.5728, press 1
- ATMs
Do you receive your Old Age Security and/or Canada Pension Plan by cheque? Click here to enroll in Direct Deposit.
With these services, you can monitor and manage your accounts, transfer funds, pay bills, and deposit cheques to name a few. We can also conduct appointments by phone and documents can be signed electronically.
For our Wealth Management clients and Small Business owners, we have support in place too. To reach a representative, simply call 1.800.665.5728 and press 5.
Branch Hours
In all locations hours of operation will be as follows:
- Seniors Only: 10:00 – 11:00 am
- Regular Banking: 11:00 – 3:00 pm
Days of Operation:
Monday to Friday: Castlegar, Salmo, Kimberley, Trail
Tuesday to Saturday: Kaslo, Invermere, Nakusp, South Slocan
Monday and Thursday ONLY: New Denver (Will be open on Tuesday, August 4th)
Monday and Friday ONLY: Fruitvale and Radium (Will be open on Tuesday, August 4th)
For a full listing of branch hours click here.
Financial Relief
While it won’t be business as usual, you will be able to count on us. COVID-19 has affected all of us in various ways. If you are facing financial challenges, we are here for you.
We're dedicated to working with our members to provide flexible solutions through hardships caused by these circumstances including:
- Payment suspensions and alterations up to 6 months
- “Quick Loans” – Personal loans up to $10,000 with deferred payments up to 6 months
- “Quick LOCs” – Business Lines of Credit up to $25,000 with interest only payments
Please call 1.800.665.5728 for assistance. Business members can select option 5, and follow the prompts to talk to a commercial lender. All other members please select option 4 to speak to a Kootenay Savings representative.
Our goal is to provide some peace of mind knowing you can continue to support yourself and your families through these difficult times.
The Government of Canada announced a new relief program to support businesses impacted by COVID-19.
Briefly, solutions include:
- The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
- The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Co-Lending Facility
- The Export Development Bank of Canada Business Credit Availability Program
Self-employed or contract workers, please refer to Canada’s Emergency Response Benefit.
To find out more about the CEBA program at Kootenay Savings, please click here.
Our Visa partner, Collabria Financial has announced several financial measures for affected cardholders including:
- temporary credit limit increases
- minimum payment deferrals
- reduced interest rate to 10.9%
As well, tap limits on transactions have been increased to $250.
For more information, please visit Collabria Financial or MyCardInfo.
Cardholders are advised to contact Collabria Cardholder Services at 1.855.341.4643 for assistance.
CEO Message
March 21, 2020 - A Message from Brent Tremblay, President and CEO
As I’m sure you have all seen in the media, things are evolving very quickly around us and changes are occurring daily. I know for myself, I have never seen anything quite like this before and I understand how unsettling it can be for you and your family. We know you are concerned and I want to provide you with an update on what we are doing at Kootenay Savings.
First, let me reassure you, there is no greater priority than the safety and well-being of our members, employees and communities.
Our steps to serve you safely and responsibly.
We are monitoring the evolving developments surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19). In our branches and offices, we’ve implemented precautionary health and safety actions that follow the recommendations of the public health agencies. We are paying close attention and have a team in place ready to respond to changes as they occur.
If you’d like to find out more about the precautions we’re taking, please Click here.
Reduced Branch Hours.
Out of an abundance of caution, and to keep our members and employees safe, we have decided to limit branch hours. As of Monday March 23, we will be open from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm until further notice.
We have made this decision so that we can continue to provide services to our members while also following the social distancing recommendations of the provincial health agencies.
Rest assured, you can connect with us in many convenient ways.
Virtually, most of your banking needs can be done from the comfort of your home through online, mobile or phone. We urge you to take advantage of these banking options and ask that you only go to a branch if necessary. If you haven’t used these options, we can help get you started.
- Online and mobile banking options
- Member Service Contact Centre - 1.800.665.5728, press 4
- Phone Banking - 1.800.665.5728, press 1
- ATMs
With these services, you can monitor and manage your accounts, transfer funds, pay bills, and deposit cheques to name a few. We can also conduct appointments by phone and documents can be signed electronically.
For our Wealth Management clients and Small Business owners, we have support in place too. To reach a representative, simply call 1.800.665.5728 and press 5.
Member Financial Relief.
While it won’t be business as usual, you will be able to count on us. COVID-19 has affected many of us in various ways. If you are facing financial challenges, we’re here for you. Our goal is to provide some peace of mind knowing you can continue to support yourself and your families through these difficult times. Our team is dedicated to working with you to provide flexible solutions through hardships caused by these unusual circumstances. Click here to find out more.
If you would like to speak to one of our representatives about financial relief, please call 1.800.665.5728 for assistance.
Sincere thanks.
As a member-owned credit union, local decision-making and thriving communities are the cornerstone of who we are. These are different times and I realize your banking experience with us will be different too. We ask for your patience and understanding as we continue to make changes to provide you with the best possible service during this evolving situation.
Finally, on behalf of the entire Kootenay Savings family, I want to thank you for your continued trust and loyalty.
Please continue to check our website and social media pages often for the latest updates and information.
We’re in this together and we’ll get through it together. Please take good care.
Brent Tremblay
President and CEO
FAQs
We're following the directions of the provincial and federal health authorities and have implemented precautionary health and safety actions to reduce the spread of the virus.
Urging members to use our other banking options – online, mobile, phone, ATMs and Member Service Contact Centre and only come to the branch if absolutely necessary.
- Requiring our employees to stay home if they are sick or have symptoms.
- Requiring all employees who have travelled outside of Canada to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days.
- Practicing physical distancing by maintaining a distance of 2 metres away from others
- Increased the intensity of cleaning across our branches and ATMs including high-touch surfaces such as door handles, countertops, and key pads.
- Increased our supplies of hand sanitizer pumps and wipes in our branches and offices.
- Moved all in-branch appointments to phone appointments only, unless emergency
- Installed Plexiglas partitions to minimize potential exposure of the virus to front line staff
- Ensured only one public entrance to each branch is open - wheelchair accessible
- Set up many of our employees to work from home
- Segregated work groups to ensure everyone is following social distancing
Useful resources:
Stay informed about the facts by visiting these qualified authorities:
World Health Organization (WHO)
Public Health Agency of Canada
Government Travel Advice and Advisories
Interior Health Authority
Credit Unions have been declared an essential service under non-health essential service providers. These are the services British Columbians rely on in their daily lives. Kootenay Savings remains committed to providing access in the best and safest way possible through a combination of assisted and self-assisted channels.
We are continuing to implement precautionary health and safety actions that follow the recommendations of the public health agencies and have implemented additional measures to take care of our employees and members’ health and wellbeing.
We urge members to do as much banking as possible through online, mobile and phone banking, our ATMS or by calling our Member Service Centre. If you have not tried these banking options, please call 1.800.665.5728 and we can help get you started.
If your question is not answered here, please send us a message and we'll get back to you.
Resources
Stay informed about the facts by visiting these qualified authorities:
Public Health Agency of Canada
Direct Deposit from the Canadian Revenue Agency is now easier, faster and safer.
The Government of Canada has partnered with Canadian Financial Institutions to offer Canada Revenue Agency Direct Deposit enrollment through online banking.
Learn how you can register to have your CRA payments deposited directly to your account.