Dear Pioneers,

Through July 16th, Idaho added 3,500 new COVID-19 cases over a span of 7 days. The previous 7 day span added 2,900 cases, the week before that experienced 1,800 new cases.

Due to this rapid rise in cases, as of July 22nd, we will be requiring our members and team members to wear a mask or face covering inside our branches.

Idaho just surpassed 13,000 confirmed cases, the vast majority of which have been added over the past 3 weeks. Our foremost goal is to minimize risk, to protect the health and safety of our team members, our members, and the communities we proudly serve.

For members unable to comply with our new face covering policy, our Personal Teller Machines, the myPioneer Personal Assistant video chat app, our Contact Center, and our mobile banking app are all available to continue meeting your banking needs.

Thank you for your understanding as we navigate this difficult period together, and thank you for your ongoing business. Stay healthy!

Curt Perry
President/CEO

Q: Will the Personal Teller Machines (PTMs) and myPioneer Personal Assistant (myPPA) close?

A: The PTMs and myPPA app will remain open to safely assist members Monday through Saturday, 7 AM to 7 PM. Click the links above to see what you can do through each service.

Q: How can I check my account balances?

A: To check your balance without calling Pioneer, log in to myPioneer Online or Mobile Banking. You can also use our Telephone Teller automated system. If you do not have an access code for this system, please call us and we will set one up for you.

Q: How do I make my loan payment if my branch is closed?

A: We have several ways you can make loan payments. Visit any Pioneer drive up through a Personal Teller Machine, mail your payment to Pioneer, call us at (208) 587-3304, log in to myPioneer Online Banking and transfer from another Pioneer account or use your account/routing number from another financial institution, or use a debit card from another financial institution. We are currently waiving all associated fees with different methods for payment. You can also complete an ACH Origination form to have funds pulled directly from another institution.

Q: How do I send a wire while the lobby is closed?

A: There are two ways to complete a wire transfer outside the branch. You can complete a Wire Transfer Request form online or use the myPioneer Personal Assistant App to work with a Pioneer team member.

Q: Will deposits and debit card transactions still work?

A: Deposits, withdrawals, and debit card transactions will continue to process as they normally would.

Q: How can I get a cashier's check or money order?

A: Cashier's checks and money orders may be available to pick up at your local branch. Please use the myPioneer Personal Assistant app, a Personal Teller Machine, or call us at (208) 587-3304 to coordinate with the branch.

Pioneer is here for you. We are currently offering different loan relief and budgeting assistance options for our members.

Mortgage Assistance

• Mortgage Assistance Form

QuickLOC:

• Flexibility - use the loan proceeds for any borrowing purpose***
• Quick application period and approval - days, not weeks
• 1-year draw period - 15-year repayment period
• Up to $25,000
• No minimum credit score
• Interest-only payments during the draw period****
• Low fixed rate - don't worry about rising interest rates
• Easy access - use a debit card or balance transfers through myPioneer Online Banking
• A great option for short-term expenses you need to pay quickly!

Apply for a QuickLOC   

GreenPath Financial Wellness

Pioneer members have free access to one-on-one financial counseling through GreenPath Financial Wellness. They can assist members with budgeting during this difficult time and set you up with methods on paying off debt and saving money.

To get started with GreenPath, visit their website or call 1-877-337-3399.

Business Assistance

For members who applied for the SBA PPP loan, it is now possible to apply for loan forgiveness. The links below can be used to learn more and apply for the loan forgiveness program.

• PPP Loan Forgiveness Instructions
• PPP Loan Forgiveness EZ Application
• PPP Loan Forgiveness Application

These other resources may be helpful for business members to navigate through this difficult time.

• FAQs for employers about unemployment insurance and COVI-19 on the Department of Labor blog and website
• U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour guidance on issues around COVID-19
• Information about tax relief for employers from the IRS
• Low-interest economic disaster loans at the Small Business Administration website
• Resources from the Idaho Department of Commerce
• Idaho Small Business Development Center

*Some loans are only available to current members or those eligible for Pioneer membership. All loans on approved credit. Your rate may vary based on credit history. Membership and credit requirements apply.

**On approved credit. Valid on auto loans only. Promo valid on new purchase or refinance from another financial institution. Existing Pioneer loans are not eligible. Loan interest accrues from origination date. Offer valid December 31, 2020

***No appraisal wait time. The value of the home will be based on automated evaluations. Subject to credit approval and loan to value adjustments. Fixed closing cost will be split with Pioneer; you only pay $300. Homeowner must own their house for a minimum of 6 months. Membership and credit requirements apply. We do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. NMLS ID 1122574. Federally Insured by NCUA.

****Consult your tax adviser regarding interest deductibility.

Federally insured by NCUA

Click here to read the Consent and Agreement form for the Skip-a-Pay program.

As Idaho begins to reopen, Pioneer is actively monitoring the situation and taking active steps to protect our members and team members. 

Currently, Pioneer’s lobbies will remain closed through May 5th. Senior management will make an evaluation as that date arrives on what to do next. When we do reopen lobbies, we ask that all members follow the instructions of Pioneer team members and signage in the branches.  Please utilize our temporary hours page for up-to-date information before heading to a branch and verify hours of operation as they may change.

For the safety and health of our team, Pioneer is working to install safety plexiglass at all teller lines. Our team members will wear face masks, and we hope our members visiting the lobby will do the same so we can keep our team as healthy as possible to continue serving our members.

Each location will have a team member greeting our members and determining needs as we will be limiting the number of members allowed in each branch at all times. We also ask that you do not enter a branch if you are showing symptoms, have tested positive for COVID-19, have had to self-quarantine, or you have been in contact with another person who has contracted the virus unless you have been cleared by a medical professional.  We thank you for your partnership in keeping our team and our members healthy.

Please remember the many remote options we have including our Personal Tellers in the drive up and the myPioneer Personal Assistant app, both available from 7 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Saturday. You can also reach our Call Center from 8:30 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday.

Hello Pioneers,

First, thank you for your membership and for your understanding during this challenging period.

Our mission at Pioneer is “To ignite lifelong partnerships, member success, and strong communities through "WOW" service.” We have entered our 66th year as an Idaho credit union, we’ve stood by our members through the good times as well as the challenging times. Even though we are only in March, it is evident that 2020 will be one of the more challenging years faced as a nation.

We are your credit union; we are your lifelong partner; we are here for you. Levels of member success may vary over time, but not levels of our partnership. We have seen the rapidly developing economic impact. That impact ranges from reduced hours and paychecks to temporary business closures to spikes in unemployment claims. If you have been impacted financially during this crisis, you are not alone. In fact, you may represent the majority.

If you are facing a financial hardship, I urge you to reach out to Pioneer sooner rather than later. As your partner in this crisis, we hope to proactively keep you one step ahead instead of catching up from two steps behind. 

We have many solutions that can be considered for the unique needs that may exist. To name just a few – you may be able to skip loan payments or establish interest only payments for the time being, or you may obtain an emergency loan to replace temporarily-reduced income. Through GreenPath Financial Wellness, we also provide resources for financial education and counseling services.

When faced with financial hardship, some consumers may compound the issue through a lack of communication. At Pioneer, we encourage the opposite. We are here to assist you through this difficult time, and transparency is the best way to work through this challenge together. We are here to continue and strengthen our lifelong partnership with you.

Our mission at Pioneer is member-centric and remains the same, even as economic conditions fluctuate. For each member, what is celebrated as success may vary during difficult times, but confirmation of Pioneer as your lifelong partner does not.

Sincerely,

Curt Perry
President/CEO

To our Pioneer Family,

First, thank you for your membership with Pioneer. We recognize you have a choice in where you “bank” and we are thankful for your selection.

Pioneer is closely monitoring the latest reports from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Government, and state and local authorities to make proactive decisions. For the latest news from Pioneer, please visit our website or sign up for text message alerts by texting PIONEER to 74994*.

We have entered our 66th year as an Idaho credit union, this has been a year unlike any other. Always remember, your credit union is financially safe and sound. Our Net Worth Ratio places us well above the strongest classification (Well-Capitalized) of financial stability in a credit union. On top of our financial stability, your deposits are also fully insured up to $250,000. The safest option for your peace of mind, would be to leave your funds on deposit with your Well-Capitalized and insured credit union. For more information on our Share Insurance, visit MyCreditUnion.gov.

We are here for our members and always will be as your credit union. We are dedicated to serving our members and our communities. If you have been financially impacted by COVID-19, please contact us. We have several solutions available and will work with you to determine the best option.

Our executive leadership and management teams continue to constantly monitor the situation while taking proactive measures to protect the health and safety of all. We continue to communicate with staff about appropriate and necessary steps to keep themselves protected through CDC recommendations. To the fullest extent possible, we are proactively controlling our environment.

Communication is readily available through various avenues, but most community events have been postponed or cancelled, and most businesses have implemented severe restrictions. This pandemic is having an impact on operations across Idaho, Pioneer included. As of this morning, we closed our Hailey Branch until further notice as Blaine County is under an isolation order. Drive through services are still available in Hailey, but our lobby is closed.

We are committed to providing the highest level of service possible, but as a precaution we must close all branch lobbies effective Monday, March 23rd. All drive up lanes and ATMs will remain accessible. Our Personal Teller Machines provide personal interaction with a team member from 7 AM to 7 PM and ATM access outside of those hours. We will still meet with members through scheduled appointments at branches outside of Hailey. For your safety, the safety of our communities, and our team safety, we are proactively working to minimize non-essential contact.

We will do our best to keep you informed as we navigate through this crisis. Pioneer is better equipped than most. We offer a wide array of remote service options to our members. With full functionality, we strongly encourage members to maximize usage of our remote service channels. Our options are convenient and allow you to conduct most “lobby” business without entering a facility.

Utilizing remote services from the comfort of your own home or vehicle, we can accommodate your withdrawals, deposits, various account transactions, loan applications, or even loan closings. With many remote options, you still maintain personal interactions with our team members. This is a big adjustment for Pioneer as well. We enjoy seeing members in our lobby. Unfortunately, at this time for the safety of all, we should practice social distancing to reduce all non-essential contact.

For necessary lobby appointments, please adhere to social distancing practices around other members if applicable. If you have any reason to believe you may have been exposed, please do not enter our facility and risk the health of others. Desperate times call for desperate measures, but we have a responsibility to our team and our community. If we have any reason to be concerned for the safety of others, we would ask individuals to exit our facility.

Thank you once again for your membership at Pioneer, and thank you for working together as we all navigate through this pandemic one day at a time.

Curt Perry
President/CEO 

Several contact avenues are listed below. If you have a banking need and would like to discuss remote service options first, start by calling (208) 587-3304 and our team members will be happy to assist.

Contact Center
Phone: (208) 587-3304
Email: pfcu@pioneerfcu.org
Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Live Chat: Click the “Chat with us!” button found on the right-hand side of our website

Business Services
Phone: (208) 587-3304
Email: business@pioneerfcu.org

Marketing Department
Phone: (208) 580-5587
Email: marketing@pioneerfcu.org

Collections
Phone: (208) 580-5588
Email: collections@pioneerfcu.org

Loan Department
Phone: (208) 580-5584
Email: loans@pioneerfcu.org
The Loan Department is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday.

Mortgage Department
Phone: (208) 580-5626
Email: mortgage@pioneerfcu.org

The continual spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has the world's attention. We truly appreciate interacting with our members face-to-face and have regular business hours, but we understand that each individual will have their own comfort level for public interaction. Pioneer is assessing our plan and evaluating steps to keep our members and team members safe. While there are no confirmed cases in Idaho to date, we want to be as prepared.

Below is a list of remote options available for our members. If you need assistance or would like more information on any of these services, please let us know.

• myPioneer Personal Assistant (myPPA) – Download the app and video chat with our team from your smartphone or computer with a microphone and camera. myPPA is available Monday through Saturday, 7 AM to 7 PM.
  
  Check account balances, transfer money, open a new account, apply for a loan or check your loan status, and ask general questions.
   
• Personal Teller Machine (PTM) in our Drive Up – Access to our team members Monday through Saturday, 7 AM to 7 PM at most of our branches. We recommend using a stylus pens or wearing a glove when touching the PTM screen.
  
  Check account balances, make deposits, withdraw funds, complete other basic drive up transactions.
   
• myPioneer Online and Mobile banking – Access your Pioneer account 24/7 from your  computer or mobile device.
  
  Check account balances, view statements (if enrolled in eDocuments), make loan payments, budget with Money Management, transfer funds, apply for a loan, and view your credit score.
   
• Contact Center - Call us at (208) 587-3304 or use the 'Chat with us' button on our website for account inquiries and other Pioneer questions. Team members are available Monday through Thursday, 8 AM to 5:30 PM and Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM.

Pioneer will continue to follow the progress of Coronavirus and monitor recommendations from the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or need assistance accessing any of the remote options listed above.

How You Can Stay Safe and Prevent Spreading the Disease

The Coronavirus spreads mostly through the virus entering your body through contact with your eyes, nose and mouth. To prevent the germ from getting to those areas, your hands become a key factor that needs to be cared for. Experts suggest that people regularly wash their hands with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer if washing your hands is not possible at that time.

We touch hundreds of things everyday with our hands that have germs on them. Some major areas of concern at financial institutions include:

• Cash used in transactions
• Debit and credit cards
• Transaction card readers and ATMs (anything with a pin pad)
• Door handles
• Public spaces with food and drinks

It is recommended that if you touch items other people interact with, wash and clean your hands often and avoid touching your face until you can do so. Disinfect items you regularly touch like your wallet, debit and credit cards, your smartphone, and your computer.

We are taking steps internally to prevent the spread of germs and ask our members to do the same. If you are sick, it may be best to use a remote method to contact us. Our online banking, live chat, phone service, and myPioneer Personal Assistant app are all great ways to do your banking from a remote location.

 Download the myPioneer
Personal Assistant app