MIRAMAR, Fla.–The spike in COVID-19 cases in Florida has led several CUs to reclose branches, while one Virginia CU has halted usage of its mobile branch.
In South Florida, Tropical Financial Credit Union reported it has reclosed all of its branches. As CUToday.info reported earlier, the credit union had earlier opted to reclose its branches in Miami-Dade County, but it has now expanded the closures to all of its offices.
Branches with drive-thru service remain open in Pembroke Pines, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, North Miami-Dade and West Palm Beach. For the time being, there will be no Saturday hours at those branches.
Tropical Financial said it has closed four other branches that offer no drive-through service in Miramar, Plantation, Kendall and Coral Springs. ATMs at all branches will remain operational.
Tropical Financial had originally closed its branch lobbies in mid-March when coronavirus cases first started spreading in South Florida, but they re-opened in May once stay-at-home orders were lifted with strict health and safety precautions and social distancing in place.
‘Best Interest of Our Members’
“Considering the current climate in South Florida, we thought it was in the best interest of our members and employees to go back to drive-thru service only until we are confident it’s safe to resume normal branch operations,” said President/CEO Richard Helber. “Members still have 24-hour access to their accounts online or through mobile devices to complete transactions, deposit checks or apply for loans. Our nationwide ATM network also provides a convenient way to access currency as well as account information.”
Tropical Financial said it is advising members who typically bank at one of the closed branches to utilize drive-thrus at closest locations to them.
OCCU Closes Branches
In Northern Florida, Ocala Community Credit Union said it has again closed its lobbies due to COVID-19 pandemic. The move comes after re-opening its lobbies on June 1, with a limit of four members inside at any given time. The credit union had initially closed its branches on March 19.
OCCU said the decision was made to re-close the lobbies as all three area hospitals have seen a surge in patients.
All drive-throughs remain open, and the credit union is accepting appointments to meet with staff. It is also directing members to apply for loans via its online channels.
Meanwhile, In Virginia, People’s Advantage FCU published a notice on its website that its mobile unit had temporarily closed in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.