COVID-19 Updates
A message from Jody Burk, CEO
 Jody Burk – CEO |
On behalf of myself and the Board of Directors, we want to assure you that the health and safety of our members and employees is a top priority so that we can continue to serve you. We are following the Coronavirus developments very closely. We continue to monitor the latest advice from our provincial and federal health agencies and relevant local information. In response to heightened concerns about the rapid spread of COVID-19, EKC continues to update members on proactive measures to protect employees and members. |
EKC Takes Additional Precautions
Banking Tips for You and Your Family
EKC Mortgage and Relief Program
Latest Updates
April 1, 2020
“Together Through Life” has been our strategic vision and slogan since 2010. It was developed from interviews with our founding members. They talked about how the credit union was there for them, their families and businesses at all stages of life; the good times and the challenging times. It reminds me why EKC is in existence and further how it acts as our North Star. It guides us in all areas; our service to members, our respect to our employees, how we work together with our staff and members and our overall direction of operational decisions especially at this time.
EKC highly recommends members to like us on Facebook for the most up to date information.
Our Members
Mortgage & Loan Relief
EKC continues to work with our personal and small business members who need mortgage payment deferrals and relief on other credit products. These relief efforts will not affect members’ credit. Our support to you may be extended as we navigate the future.
Mobile, Telephone and Digital Channels
Last Friday we had a very busy day in Cranbrook. We have to limit the number of members in the branch at one time. We are looking at the situation and respectfully ask our members to consider the use of mobile, telephone and digital channels that are available 24/7. We recommend, if you do not have an ATM card or you are not signed up for MemberDirect (online and phone banking), please call us 1.866.960.6666 or phone your branch, numbers are listed here, Contact Us.
Peace of Mind
EKC is here to answer your questions and work with you to find solutions. If you’re concerned about your investments in light of current market volatility, reach out to EKC or EKC MoneyWorks. We have the expertise to help you navigate temporary instabilities and achieve your long-term goals.
Void Cheque
If you are applying for government subsidies, your direct deposit information can be found in one of two places. If you have a cheque for your account, you'll see the direct deposit information printed on the bottom of the front of your cheque. Or log in to EKC’s MemberDirect online banking and go to the ‘Account Services’ menu. To print the information of a void cheque, go to your account you would like the deposit to go in and click on the void cheque icon. It will bring you to a page of your information! More information online banking is available here.
Our People
We’re following direction from the Government of Canada and the Government of B.C. and taking proactive measures to ensure our members and our employees are protected. We are also working with employees to understand their individual circumstances during this unprecedented time.
Increased Protections
- Increased sanitization of our workspaces and member service areas
- Promoting ‘best in class’ hygiene practices by all employees
- Added informative signage and floor decals
- Implemented new work stations to comply with social distancing and separation of staffing who work in the same area
- Enabled work-from-home arrangements wherever possible
- Protecting our employees and members by discontinuing in-person appointments to the branch unless absolutely necessary and prompting non-branch delivery channels and phone appointments
- Working with our members to use digital signing technology to allow for signing credit union documents on the phone or computer
- Added protective shields for front line employees
- Purchased a significant supply of hand sanitizer from local vendors
- Added security at the front door of Cranbrook and door monitoring at the other branches to maintain social distancing protocol
- Reduced branch hours
- Requiring isolation to employees who are sick, travelled outside of Canada or in a place where more than 50 people congregated
Change in Service
As we navigate this dynamic situation, we are required to adapt to the branch experience. Branch hours or even branch closures may have to happen quickly.
Temporary Branch Hours
- Sparwood – closed to foot traffic - please call910.9222 or 1.855.222.5788
- Cranbrook & Fernie - Tues.-Fri. 10am – 3pm and Sat. 10am – 2pm
- Elkford - Mon.-Fri. 10am – 3pm
- Commercial - Tues.-Fri. 10am – 3pm and Mon. 10am – 2pm
Temporary Phone Service Hours:
- Monday - Friday: 9am - 4:30pm
- Saturday - 9am-3pm
We have configured the phone system that allows calls from branches to have their phones answered by extra staff.
If these hours change we will post updates on Facebook or at EKCCU.COM Contact Us.
AGM & Community Cash
The Board has voted to postpone our AGM and Community Cash program. We will update you when we have confirmed a new date.
Our Partners
- Kootenay Insurance Services (KIS) - available by phone or email only and will not be available for walk- ins. Keep up to date at KIS.
- EKC MoneyWorks - please call first 1.533.5533 to book a phone meeting.
We appreciate the support and positive comments we have received from our members in emails, messages and on social media. It emphasizes how together we will get through this.
Thank you for continued patronage.
March 28, 2020
Annual General Meeting & EKC Community Cash Postponed until further notice.
March 24, 2020
Since 1950, EKC has worked with our members in good times, previous downturns and now during this current period of uncertainty.
In response to heightened concerns about the rapid spread of COVID-19, EKC continues to update members on proactive measures to protect employees and members.
EKC highly recommends members to like us on Facebook for the most up to date information.
Our People
We are taking every reasonable effort to protect our members and employees. We are working with staff individually to understand their needs for their financial wellbeing, childcare requirements and needs to self isolate due to travel or family.
Change in Walk-In Hours
Sparwood – closed to foot traffic
- For services still available, please call 250.910.9222
- ATM and night depository will be fully operational.
Cranbrook & Fernie
- Tue – Fri 10 am – 3 pm
- Sat 10 am – 2 pm
Elkford
- Mon – Fri 10 am – 3 pm
Commercial
- Mon 10 am – 2 pm
- Tue – Fri. 10 am – 3 pm
Change in Service
Please be assured that we've increased our sanitization efforts and are finding innovative ways to meet your needs.
We're increasing support for members to do banking over the phone but still experiencing high call volume. By next week we will have a new phone system that will better direct calls.
EKC is complying with government requirements on social distancing to keep everyone safe. You may notice plexi glass shields at the wickets. You may have to wait to enter the branch or you may be asked the following questions at the door by security staff:
- Are you're feeling sick or have travelled outside the country?
- Please keep at least six feet between others.
- Please understand we may limit conversation to make sure we can accommodate all members.
- Can your banking be done over the phone?
- All appointments will now be done on the phone or by email as most offices do not allow the mandatory six-foot social distancing. Please let us know if your circumstances require an in-branch appointment.
Mortgage & Loan Relief
EKC will work with our personal and small business members who need mortgage payment deferrals and relief on other credit products. These relief efforts will not affect members’ credit. Our support to you may be extended as we navigate the future.
2020 RRIF Minimum Amount Changes
The Government of Canada announced immediate RRIF annuitants can request a 25% reduction to their 2020 RRIF minimum payment. Please contact us for details.
Doing Business in New Ways
Virtually, all of your banking needs can be achieved from the comfort of your home. With additional measures put in place, we are asking that you take advantage of our banking options. Call your branch, after hours technical phone service, email, MemberDirect, our online banking site, from your mobile phone by downloading our mobile app, e-transfers and international e-transfers, ATMs and night depositories. Visit our Ways to Bank page to learn more.
Our Partners
- Kootenay Insurance Services (KIS) will available by phone or email only and will not be available for walk- ins.
- EKC MoneyWorks please call first.
In Closing
With a strong financial base and deposits 100% guaranteed by the Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, we are here to serve you today, tomorrow and into the future.
Thank you for continued patronage.
March 20, 2020
On behalf of myself and the Board of Directors, we want to assure you that the health and safety of our members and employees is a top priority so that we can continue to serve you.
We are following the Coronavirus developments very closely. We continue to monitor the latest advice from our provincial and federal health agencies and relevant local information.
The risk of contracting the illness, today remains low. At this time, EKC has not been impacted by COVID-19 and we have not had any employees show symptoms of the virus. Therefore, you may notice changes to how we greet you or your appointment may not be in the usual office in support of these recommendations. These are just precautions to further protect you our member and our employees during this time.
We recognize that you may have some questions about how we're responding to this evolving situation. EKC has mobilized a team who have put plans in place and are responsive to the changes. Updates to staff and you, our members, will be posted when changes occur.
EKC branches are open and will remain open to serve you. We have made more staff available by phone and email to support you if you are not feeling well.
EKC Takes Additional Precautions
EKC branches are remaining open. We have adjusted staff levels, are performing extra cleaning, and introduced social distancing to reduce personal contact.
Banking Tips for You and Your Family
- ensure contact info and ID is up to date
- sign up for MemberDirect online banking
- download the mobile app for mobile banking
- e-Transfers and International Transfers
- Phone and email us first – virtually, all of your banking needs can be achieved from the comfort of your home. With additional measures put in place, we are asking that you take advantage of our banking options. Call or email your branch