The news says to expect a major winter storm. You have your shovel, your coat, gloves, and hot chocolate.
But what about your money? Will your bills be paid on time? What if a financial emergency happens and you can’t drive anywhere?
Here’s what SECU offers our members when the weather outside is frightful.
SECU banking options during a storm
- Just like schools, we sometimes have to close financial centers due to extreme weather. If that happens, we post messages on our secumd.org homepage, on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media accounts letting you know what is closed and for how long.
- Even if your financial center is closed, you can still conduct your usual financial transactions through online banking or our mobile app. Before a storm is a great time to make sure you’re registered and can access your account this way.
- Bill payments, direct deposits, transfers, or other digital transactions will continue to process as usual.
- Our Virtual Financial Center is open during its regular hours, even if some or all physical locations are closed.
- If it’s safe enough to venture outside, we have a network of ATMs that will be up and running. You can find locations for those ATMs here.
- Since no employees will be in a closed financial center, you will not be able to speak with a teller through our interactive teller machines (ITMs). All traditional ATM functions will be available on machines with those capabilities.
- You will also be able to contact SECU through our contact center.
Smart money moves to make before a storm
- Withdraw and have cash on hand. Even if you can get to a SECU financial center after the storm, you don’t know if other merchants will have power. Being able to pay for items in cash will allow you to buy essentials if credit, credit, or other digital payment options aren’t available.
- Know where important documents are. We don’t want to think about it, but what happens if your house is damaged in a storm? Do you know where your insurance policy is, the number to call, and what it covers? Gather important information in one location just so you’re prepared for the worst.
- Double check your online banking. Did you set up that mortgage payment like you said you would? Make sure everything is good to go so you don’t have to trudge through the snow to a mailbox.
Other storm preparedness tips
We know that banking isn’t your only concern before a storm. Here are a few reminders on how to make sure you and your loved ones can be safe, and maybe even enjoy the snow.
- Gas up your car.
- Charge your devices (phones, tablets, laptops) and have backup powerbanks ready is possible.
- Fill up containers of drinking water.
- If you’re worried about freezing pipes, keep a faucet on the top level of your house at a slight drip. You can capture that water for use later.
- Don’t heat your home with the oven or stove.
- Don’t leave space heaters or candles unattended or use them near flammable materials.
- Have flashlights ready with full batteries in case power goes out.
- When it’s safe to do so, be courteous and shovel your sidewalk and clear your car so others can travel without risk of injury.
- Check in on vulnerable neighbors if you can.
- Set alerts with utility companies to stay informed of potential outages or when they will be restored.
- Have nonperishable foods available to eat.
- Cover exposed skin when outside to prevent frostbite.
- Avoid downed power lines if you see them. Call your utility to report the incident.
- Be warry of potential scams, as scammers like to use emergencies to their advantage.
- Be kind to each other. These events can be stressful. Let’s all try to be understanding of what our neighbors and fellow Marylanders are going through.
