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The following is an announcement from Pathfinder Bank President and CEO Tom Schneider about bank plans for reopening of bank branches:
On Monday, June 8th, we will begin reopening our lobbies. As you know, we restricted access to our lobbies two months ago, on March 20th. We did so to help our communities slow the spread of COVID-19. Together we have made progress. Enough so, that it is time to start reopening. We know we are not out of the woods. We need to stay vigilant and disciplined. We must continue to put the health and well-being of our employees, our customers, and the community ahead of all other interests as we make decisions.
In following state and federal guidance, we've implemented a phased approach to re-opening our branches. Beginning Monday, June 8th, our branch lobbies* will reopen to serve you during normal business hours Monday – Friday. Our lobbies will continue to remain closed on Saturdays (with the exception of our Lacona Office) with Drive-thru available from 9AM to 12PM. All updates as they relate to branch accessibility can be found on our Locations & Hours page.
*Please note, our Main Office in Oswego and our Pike Block Office in Syracuse will resume normal business hours but remain by appointment only until further notice.
New Reopening Safety Precautions
As we begin to re-open our branches, things will look a little different as we continue to place a strong focus on the health and safety of our employees, customers, and community. We encourage you to continue using our online and mobile banking, ATMs, and drive-thru services. Here is what you can expect:
- Way finding and social distancing markings having been placed throughout the branch network to help maintain 6 feet of distance and ensure social distancing at all times.
- Plexiglass shields are being installed at all teller stations, service desks, and customer facing office areas. This is to help protect both our employees and customers.
- For your safety and the safety of those around you, we will be limiting the number of customers in our lobbies at any one time. We kindly ask those customers visiting the lobby of our branches to please limit the number in your party to only those needed to complete your transaction.
- Lobby doors will remain locked yet a concierge will be positioned at the entry point to grant you entry.
- Masks will be required for employees working directly with customers in person for your safety.
- Masks or other face coverings will be required for anyone entering our buildings for the safety of our employees. We may ask that you briefly adjust your mask to visually confirm your identity. If you do not have a face mask we can supply you with one. If you prefer not to wear one, we kindly ask you to please continue to utilize our drive-thru lanes to conduct your transactions or to use our remote banking services.
- Hand sanitizer will be available for customers as they enter and exit our locations via commercial hand sanitizing stations.
- Common areas such as coffee stations, public restrooms, check writer stations and children's tables will remain temporarily closed.
- Branch staff will be providing the customer with a pen and deposit/withdrawal slips at each teller station. If the customer does not want to keep the pen it will be placed in a receptacle until it can be sanitized.
- If you are feeling unwell, please remain home. We have a variety of remote banking services available and would be happy to speak with you over the phone if needed.
Building Precautions for Customer and Employee Safety
While our lobbies have been closed, we have implemented additional procedures for the safety of our customers and employees, which will continue once our lobbies open.
- Greatly enhanced daily cleaning procedures have been implemented.
- Touch points will be continually sanitized at all teller stations and customer facing desks after each interaction.
- Masks will continue to be worn by employees working with customers for everyone's safety.
- Frequent hand washing is highly encouraged and our employees will practice proper hand washing techniques often.
- Employees will be required to attest to a number of health related questions each morning prior to customer activity.
- With new Coronavirus (COVID-19) developments happening every day, we are continuously monitoring the situation and will adjust our reopening plans to ensure we're doing the most we can to keep every customer, community members, and our staff as healthy as we can. In addition, we will continue offering expanded drive-thru services.
We apologize for any inconvenience the closure of our branch lobbies may have caused and appreciate your understanding as we work towards reopening our lobbies. I am incredibly proud of the way our co-workers and our customers have turned a very difficult period into a demonstration of our resilience and togetherness.
Thank you for trusting us with your financial needs,
Tom Schneider, President & Chief Executive Officer
