Tropical Financial Credit Union reopens lobbies, major banks still under reduced hours
In a sign that companies are starting to reopen, Tropical Financial Credit Union reopened on Monday all nine of its branch lobbies in South Florida.
The credit union had closed the lobbies and offered only drive-thru service in March, when the novel coronavirus outbreak began to grow significantly in South Florida. On Monday, it reopened the nine branches, installing safety measures for customers and employees.
“Some of our members prefer doing their banking with direct human interactions so we felt comfortable reopening our branches with proper health and safety protocols in place,” said Richard Helber, Tropical Financial president and CEO, in a statement. “Members will still have the option of using drive-thrus, ATMs and online banking.”
To enter the lobby, members must wear masks and will have to lower them briefly when entering and checking with security. No more than four people will be allowed inside at one time and customers must social distance.
Lobbies will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Drive-thru lanes will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday. On Fridays, the drive-thru will stay open until 6 p.m. For now, branches will remain closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Employees will be required to wear masks and gloves. Plexiglass has been installed for extra protections. New accounts won’t be opened and no loan applications will be processed for now at the credit union’s branches.
Here’s a look at what other South Florida banks are doing to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic:
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo has reduced hours at many of its locations. New branch hours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday. The banks are closed on Sunday. Check your local branch for hours.
Apart from changed hours, Wells Fargo has said some branches will be open only by appointment and some branches are temporarily closed. In order to schedule an appointment, visit Wells Fargo’s branch locator.
Some locations are allowing only drive-thru access and limiting the number of customers in a branch at one time.
“As we continue to navigate the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation, our first thought is for the safety and well-being of all individuals and businesses impacted by these difficult circumstances,” Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf said in a statement.
Chase
Chase announced temporary closures and updated hours at some locations. Most South Florida branches have hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Closed on Sunday.
Check your local branch for hours.
SunTrust
Suntrust is also making major changes at local branches, starting with all in-person visits at every SunTrust bank must be scheduled.
According to its website, SunTrust has also changed the following: “Providing teller services through drive-thru lanes only, in-person visits by appointment only and select branch closures.”
An appointment can be scheduled on its website here.
TD Bank
TD Bank said it would be temporarily closing some of its branches and has updated reduced hours for branches that remain open.
Open branch hours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Branches will open Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., unless it is normally closed.
Check your local branch for hours.
This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 7:07 PM.
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