Our response to Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Congress has announced a second COVID economic relief package for eligible Americans. Here’s what you need to know:

• Individuals who made less than $75,000 in 2019 will receive a $600 direct payment. Couples who made less than $150,000 combined in 2019 will receive a $1,200 direct payment. Families will receive $600 for each child dependent.
• Federal unemployment benefits of up to $300 per week have been extended through March 14, 2021.
• If your bank information is already on file with the IRS, it will be directly deposited into your bank account. If it is not on file with the IRS, you will either receive a paper check or debit card in the mail.
• We encourage you to visit the IRS WEBSITE for details regarding your payment status. If needed, you can use this website to update your address and banking information. In most cases, no action is required to receive your payment.
• Since this program is driven by the Government, Maspeth Federal customer service representatives cannot tell you if and when you will receive your payment. This is determined by the IRS. If you expect to receive a payment, we encourage you to use online or mobile banking to check your bank account for your deposit or visit the IRS WEBSITE to track your payment.
• If you receive a paper check, you can deposit it via your mobile app.

As always, please be mindful of scams. Criminals may try to use this as an opportunity to try and contact you to steal your personal information. These scams could come in all different forms – email, phone calls, texts or even social media. However, the real IRS will NEVER contact you for personal information so you should know if someone asks you questions claiming to be from the IRS, it’s a scam. Also, beware of emails from unknown sources that try to get you to click on a link or attachment claiming to have information about the economic impact payment.

Source: Independent Community Bankers of America

As NYC continues to ramp up reopening efforts, we are adjusting our hours to be able to continue to support our community, customers and the business. We ask you to continue to practice social distancing and safety protocols when visiting our branch locations.

Main Office

Branch Lobby

•         Monday - Wednesday: 8:30AM - 6:00PM
•         Thursday & Friday: 8:30AM - 7:00PM
•         Saturday: 9:00AM - 2:00PM

Drive-Thru

•         Monday - Wednesday: 8:30AM - 6:00PM
•         Thursday & Friday: 8:30AM - 7:00PM
•         Saturday: 9:00AM - 2:00PM

Forest Hills

Branch Lobby

•         Monday - Thursday: 8:30AM - 5:00PM
•         Friday: 8:30AM - 6:00PM
•         Saturday: 9:00AM - 2:00PM

Drive-Thru

•         Monday - Thursday: 8:30AM - 5:00PM
•         Friday: 8:30AM - 6:00PM
•         Saturday: 9:00AM - 2:00PM

Rego Park

•         Monday - Wednesday: 8:30AM - 5:00PM
•         Thursday: 8:30AM - 6:00PM
•         Friday: 8:30AM - 5:00PM
•         Saturday: 9:00AM - 2:00PM

Fresh Meadows

•         Monday - Wednesday: 8:30AM - 5:00PM
•         Thursday: 8:30AM - 6:00PM
•         Friday: 8:30AM - 5:00PM
•         Saturday: 9:00AM - 2:00PM

Ridgewood

•         Monday - Wednesday: 8:30AM - 5:00PM
•         Thursday: 8:30AM - 6:00PM
•         Friday: 8:30AM - 5:00PM
•         Saturday: 9:00AM - 2:00PM

New Hyde Park

Branch Lobby

•         Monday - Thursday: 8:30AM - 5:00PM
•         Friday: 8:30AM - 6:00PM
•         Saturday: 9:00AM - 2:00PM

Drive-Thru

•         Monday - Thursday: 8:30AM - 5:00PM  
•         Friday: 8:30AM - 6:00PM
•         Saturday: 9:00AM - 2:00PM

In this time of great need, we are committed to supporting our communities and those on the frontline, including our own staff. To-date we have pledged over $50,000 to support our community through various programs and contributions. This number will continue to grow, as we announce new programs in the coming weeks.

Masks for Essential Workers & First Responders

In partnership with State Assemblyman Brian Barnwell, we worked to secure a supply of over 11,000 KN95 masks. These masks were donated to local hospitals, nursing homes and first responders. We are thrilled to provide protective masks to those on the frontline.

Meals for First Responders

We partnered with local restaurants, delicatessens and other food service providers to provide free weekly meals to first responders. We also provided monetary contributions to local organizations, in support of the distribution of free meals.

MFS & New York Riptide Campaign Partnership

Earlier this year, we announced our partnership with the NY Riptide Lacrosse Team. Part of this partnership was a donation of $5 for every save during a NY Riptide game. We are pleased to announce that a $5,000 donation was made to Catholic Health Services of Long Island. 

Check out the video here:

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  New York Riptide

Thank You To Our Staff

As an essential business, our staff joined others in working on the frontlines to help keep our community going. We are proud of their hard work and perseverance. The health and safety of our staff remains important to us. Since early March, all staff have been working behind safety glass and using masks and other protective measures. We have also provided free meals and allowed for flexible work arrangements and reduced hours.

Early April, the Government announced the distribution of economic impact payments to eligible Americans. Here is what you should know:

1. Eligible Americans will receive up to $1,200 (individuals) and $2,400 (married couples). Parents will also receive $500 for each qualifying child. These payments vary based on income. To check your eligibility, click here. 
2. These payments will be direct deposited to the account the IRS has on file from your 2018 or 2019 tax return. We encourage you to visit the IRS website for details regarding your payment status. If needed, you can use this website to update your address and banking information. In most cases, no action is required to receive your payment.
3. Since this program is driven by the Government, Maspeth Federal customer service representatives cannot tell you if and when you will receive your payment. This is determined by the IRS. If you expect to receive a payment, we encourage you to use online or mobile banking to check your bank account for your deposit or visit the IRS website to track your payment.
4. For security reasons, the IRS plans to mail a letter about the economic impact payment to the taxpayer’s last known address within 15 days after the payment is paid. The letter will provide information on how the payment was made and how to report any failure to receive the payment. 
5. If you receive a paper check, you can deposit it via your mobile app. 
6. For other questions and relevant information, visit the IRS Economic Payment Resource Center. 

We also urge you to continue to be on the lookout for scams. Unfortunately, scam artists may use the economic impact payments as cover for schemes to steal personal information and money. Remember, if you receive a communication from the IRS requesting personal information - IT IS A SCAM. The IRS will not call , text, email or contact you on social media asking for personal or bank account information – even related to the economic impact payments. Also, watch out for emails with attachments or links claiming to have special information about economic impact payments or refunds.

We would like to provide you with an update on our response to the Coronavirus pandemic and its impact on our lending operations.

Maspeth Federal Savings continues to operate our retail branches however; we have suspended all loan closings and application processing until further notice. Additionally, for the safety of our employees and community, our Loan Center is currently closed to customer traffic.

For those customers with an existing application or active mortgage loan, please note the following:

• Lending team members will be available to answer your calls and assist with your loan servicing needs. Please contact us at (718) 651-7525 or email us at LoanServicing at MaspethFederal dot com
• Existing application processing has been suspended until further notice. While we are hopeful that full operations will resume by the time these applications move to closing; we are unable to guarantee a closing date at this time. Commitments of mortgage customers who were unable to schedule a closing will be extended.
• Customers who need to submit documents are urged to use our secure loan portal. For your convenience, our drop-box will still be available to accept documents. Please speak with you loan representative regarding your individual application.

We are making every effort to continue to service you and your mortgage needs as best as possible and ask you to remain patient while this situation continues to unfold. Updates will be posted on our website but please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions regarding bank operations or your individual mortgage needs.

Social Distancing - We believe this is an important measure to protect against the spread of the virus - and are taking it seriously.

In-branch transactions will be conducted behind the teller windows - including customer service needs. This will allow us to meet your needs while providing you and our staff added protection.

Loan representatives are still available for meetings on a case-by case basis. We ask that you call your loan representative at (718) 651-7888. If a meeting is necessary, they will be limited to one person. All loan documents can be dropped off in our drop-box.

We encourage you to take advantage of our online, mobile and telephone banking systems during this time.

Protecting Your Financial Well-Being - As many have heard, the Government is working to provide financial assistance. With that comes the risk of financial scams. We urge you to be vigilant. If you get a call from a government impostor, file a complaint at ftc.gov/complaint.

Here are 4 reminders to help you stay ahead and avoid scammers.

• The government will only contact you through physical mail.
• Don’t believe your caller ID - Technology makes it easy for scammers to fake caller ID information. If someone asks you for personal information, hang up.
• Don’t pay upfront for a promise - The government will never ask you to pay any money up front. This includes fees and charges.
• Don’t give out personal information. - Never give out or confirm financial or other sensitive information, including your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number. The government will never ask for this information over the phone.

Maspeth Federal Savings has been carefully monitoring the developments related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Our first priority is always the safety of our customers and staff. We share your concerns and would like to provide you with an update on our response to the current situation.

First and foremost, we are prepared. A variety of situations, including pandemics like the coronavirus, have always been part of our planning strategies. If we need to temporarily close a branch location, there are a variety of alternative ways to do your banking:

• Our online, mobile and telephone banking systems are equipped to handle most of your banking needs.
• You can access cash at over 80,000 surcharge free ATMs within the Allpoint or Moneypass networks.
• With more than one branch, your banking needs could still be met at an alternate location.

We are taking steps to reduce the risk of exposure:

• In February, in addition to our daily cleaning schedule, we increased our cleaning protocols to include a weekly deep cleaning of all branch locations and back office workspaces.
• Hand sanitizing stations are available in all branch locations for customer use. In addition, staff have been given personal hand sanitizers at work.
• We are reinforcing the importance of frequent handwashing and are utilizing technology to limit in-person meetings when possible.
• Our staff have been encouraged to avoid handshakes, limit non-essential business travel and avoid coming to work sick. We will also remain flexible and provide our staff with additional support as needed.
• As a precaution to help limit the spread of coronavirus and promote social distancing, we have decided to postpone all regularly scheduled events in April.

We are continuing to do what we do best, support our customers and local communities. If you are a customer experiencing hard-ships due to the coronavirus, please speak with a customer service representative, your loan officer or call (718) 335-1300.

We encourage you to protect yourself. Join us in practicing healthy hygiene.

• Follow the CDC guidelines on staying well and protecting yourself against Coronavirus (COVID-19). CDC guidelines can be found here.  

• Also, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning consumers to be cautious. Criminals may utilize coronavirus fears to conduct fraudulent or identity theft related activities. Remember that Maspeth Federal Savings will never call, text or email you to ask for your banking information and have 24/7 Fraudwatch monitoring to help protect you.

We take these steps out of an abundance of caution and feel it is the best way to serve our customers and communities by following the guidance of state and local authorities. Your health and well-being, and that of our customers and communities, are important to us. We will continue to monitor the situation and follow guidance from state and local authorities. We encourage you to visit our website or follow us on Facebook for additional communications or updates.

Please continue to take care of yourselves and your families.