Archives for 2020

To our valued customers: As a first step toward resuming our normal branch banking access, beginning on Monday, June 15th, we will be opening our lobbies for appointments only. To make an appointment to bank with us in person at one of our branch lobbies, please call:Alton – 603.875.8500 Ashland – 603.968.7103 Center Harbor – 603.253.7303 Gilford – 603.528.1500 Laconia – 603.527.6030 Meredith/Main Office – 603.279.7986 Meredith/Route 104 – 603.279.5274 Moultonborough – 603.476.2300 Plymouth/Main Street – 603.536.8228 Portsmouth – 603.334.9661 Wolfeboro – 603.569.6655 To ensure your health and safety as well as that of our employees and other visitors, we […]

On Friday, June 5th the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act was signed into law, amending certain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness rules, for both existing and future borrowers. The most impactful changes in the new Act include the following:The spending period for approved PPP loan funding has been extended from 8 weeks to 24 weeks. This allows another 4 months of spending toward loan forgiveness. The minimum amount of funds that must be devoted to maintaining payroll has been reduced from 75% to 60%. This allows an increased percentage of specific non-payroll related items, including mortgage interest, rent and utilities. […]

There has been a sharp rise in unemployment fraud amid the current pandemic. Federal and state agencies are investigating substantial fraud schemes involving stolen personal identifying information to fraudulently claim unemployment benefits. Criminals are applying for unemployment with stolen personal information and requesting direct deposit for these financial benefits. Once the deposits are made to their accounts, the funds are either withdrawn, transferred to other accounts, or transferred overseas. Unemployment insurance fraud and identity theft are crimes that affect everyone, including businesses, employees and claimants. If you believe you have been affected by unemployment fraud, contact us and/or review materials at […]

The US Treasury has been sending stimulus payments in the form of prepaid debit cards to those without direct deposit information on file with the IRS. As supplying personal identifiable information is required to activate the cards, criminals have already started to take advantage of the situation by creating fraudulent cards with accompanying letters containing a false phone number to steal personal information. In addition, some recipients have also questioned the legitimacy of their real cards, and have destroyed or discarded them, which may lead to fees for replacement cards. Please use the included photo to verify your cards. The […]

If you have qualified for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) the government might mail you your money on a prepaid VISA debit card beginning this week.  The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has released an informational video for consumers on how they can access their funds. Once the card is activated, consumers may use it to get cash, request a check or make purchases anywhere that VISA debit cards are accepted. Watch the video here.  

The American Bankers Association (ABA) has released a new video highlighting the ways America’s banks have stepped up to support their customers, and their communities facing unprecedented challenges during the COVID19 pandemic. The video recognizes the efforts of banking employees across the country who are serving as ‘economic first responders’ in their communities, and also shares testimony from customers thanking banking employees for their efforts. “We’ve got folks working from their kitchen tables, their laundry rooms, wherever they can find a place to work. I couldn’t be more proud of what our folks have been able to accomplish,” said ABA […]

Governor Sununu has authorized the allocation of $400 million in emergency funding from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund to provide emergency financial relief to New Hampshire small for-profit businesses due to the economic disruption caused by COVID-19. In order to be eligible, a business must have its principal place of business in New Hampshire and must have generated less than $20 million in revenue during the 2019 tax year. In addition, healthcare, childcare, and agriculture businesses will not be eligible for the program, as those businesses are or will be addressed through other programs. This program is administered by […]

There have been reports of a rise in money flipping schemes, targeting consumers who’ve run into financial trouble due to pandemic-related unemployment. Money flipping is an attempt by scammers to lure consumers with promises of a payout. The target of the scam is required to pay a small amount up front in order to earn a larger return on their money. Money flippers are taking advantage of today’s uncertain climate by posting about fictitious charities on social media. In their posts, they describe how they will donate money to you if you give them your banking information. The banking information […]