(File photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

COVID-19

Cornerstone Credit Union urges members to avoid visiting branches

Mar 26, 2020 | 2:00 PM

A local financial institution is taking the unusual step of asking members not to visit their branches.

Cornerstone Credit Union, which has branches in Archerwill, Rose Valley, Tisdale, and Wynyard, issued a media release March 25 urging members to use alternate methods of banking in light of COVID-19.

“The important message is about keeping everyone safe during this COVID-19 pandemic, and that includes our employees,” CEO Doug Jones told northeastNOW.

Jones said they’re trying to educate their members that 95 per cent of what they need to get done can be done without them needing to visit a branch to have face-to-face interaction.

“It’s really just trying to educate our members and really get them to phone first and talk about what their needs are,” Jones said.

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There are times when members need to schedule a time to meet, and that is still available if necessary, according to Jones.

But he said they’re asking members to be willing to try to avoid coming in if at all possible.

“We’ve beefed up our resources in our contact centre; again, call volumes are high so we do need everyone’s patience that you may have to wait,” Jones said.

He added wait times are usually less than 30 seconds to a minute. Jones suggested using a land line rather than a cellphone.

Jones said they are doing their best to ensure that staff members remain safe during COVID-19.

“We’ve sent a high percentage of our employees home to work, we’re working through that gradually, again, just to create some space in our building so that people feel safe coming to work,” Jones said.

He said members are important to them, and they want to make sure they’re looked after.

“The government is asking us to help ‘flatten this curve’, and Cornerstone wants to show leadership in making that happen in a safe way, but at the same time make sure our members get served,” Jones said. “We think in 95 per cent of the cases it can be done without having to come in [to a branch].”

Meanwhile, Conexus Credit Union issued a COVID-19 update March 23 that recommended members call in before coming to one of their branches.

The news release said Conexus is limiting the number of people inside the branch at one time, only one person is allowed at the ATM, they are practicing social and physical distancing while increasing cleaning protocols, and members will be encouraged to use remote banking channels if possible.

Conexus also reduced hours at all of their branches. They are open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and are closed from noon to 1 p.m.

The credit union has branches in Humboldt. Wakaw, Lanigan, La Ronge, and in Prince Albert.

Affinity Credit Union’s hours have also been reduced to 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday at all locations, except those in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, Martensville, Warman, and Estevan, which are open until 4 p.m.

CEO Mark Lane issued a news release March 19 that stated “presently, our advice centres remain open during regular business hours. Decisions around future service delivery will be dependent on many factors including our available resources.”

Affinity has branches in Melfort, Kinistino, Birch Hills, Prince Albert, St. Brieux, Lake Lenore, Naicam, Watson, Porcupine Plain, Hudson Bay and Muenster.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974