Latest COVID-19 lockdown – working together

First of all, we’d like to wish all our members a Happy New Year. We hope that you and your families are safe and well, and that you have managed to make the most of what we know was a very unusual festive season due to the pandemic.

We understand that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of a new lockdown, which could last until at least mid-February, will have come as a further blow to many.

However, hopefully, we are now entering the final furlong in the fight against the coronavirus, and thanks to the fresh optimism brought by the two new vaccines being rolled out, we can look forward to an easing of restrictions come the Spring.

In the meantime, though, it is imperative that we all, collectively, take all precautions necessary to ensure we keep each other safe, particularly in light of the extra-virulent alternative strains of the virus now in circulation. The figures for transmission rates in our East Yorkshire region are stark – with an estimated one in 65 people now thought to have the coronavirus whether they are showing symptoms or not.

With this in mind, we have some things to ask of you, in terms of how you engage with our team here at the Beverley over the coming weeks.

Minimising contact and following guidance

First and foremost, we’d like to reassure you that we remain here to serve you, as we have been throughout the pandemic.

However, we must balance maintaining a high standard of mortgage and savings service, with keeping you, our branch-based team and our wider community, safe.

To enable us to do so, we are asking you to observe the following, in line with ongoing government guidance:

  • Please only come into branch when absolutely necessary. For example, consider carefully whether small deposits and interest updates to your passbook are really essential. The less in-person contact we have with each other, and with physical items like passbooks and cash, the lower the risk of catching or spreading the virus
  • Please do not transact in cash unless absolutely necessary. Cash is known to pose a risk when it comes to passing the coronavirus from one person to another, and therefore we are advising that you carry out account-to-account deposits and money transfers electronically wherever possible
  • Please ensure that, when you do have to come into branch, you wear a mask; sanitise your hands using the dedicated stations provided; maintain a two-metre distance between yourself and our counter team/other customers, and check in using the QR code in-branch, in line with the NHS’s Track and Trace system 
  • Our team are still available to deal with your enquiries over the telephone on (01482) 881510 or via email.

Changes to our savings account availability

Due to the exceptional popularity of our long term, good value accounts, we have had to take the decision to close all our accounts to new applications for the time being, in order to manage that demand and ensure that we can prioritise maintaining our high levels of service for our existing customers in these unprecedented circumstances. We will, of course, aim to make our accounts available again as soon as possible in the future, and will announce via our website, social media and other channels when this happens.

All eligible savings with us continue to benefit from maximum protection under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, up to £85,000 per customer.

Still offering mortgage appointments

We also remain committed to continuing to help people achieve their homeownership aspirations through lending particularly to those whose circumstances don’t fit the mould, including the self-employed, first-time buyers and those planning and in retirement.

If you would like to discuss your needs with a member of our mortgage team, call us on (01482) 881510 or email them to make an appointment.

Still here when you need us

Please be reassured that we fully understand how challenging this further period of restrictions are for everyone, in different ways.

Our highly-committed colleagues are helping to ensure we can continue to meet your financial requirements, as an essential service, and we are hugely grateful to them for their efforts and the personal risk they have been prepared to take since March, in order to do so.

Our branch will remain open from 10am to 3pm weekdays, and our telephone lines from 9am until 5pm, to provide you with the excellent, personal service you’ve come to expect from us.

We will continue to keep an eye on the developing situation with COVID-19, and changes to the way we operate are possible. We will update you as these arise, via our website, social media, branch windows and in-branch notices.  

Below is a reminder of a number of steps you can take to help us avoid unnecessary interruptions to your service, for example if we need to operate temporarily from another venue.

  • Ensure all of your personal details, including contact information, are up-to-date
  • If you don’t have another bank account we can electronically transfer your money to, please get in touch with us via (01482) 881500 or email the savings team and we will try to find a solution for you
  • Our mortgage team are continuing to offer advice appointments over the phone. Get in touch via (01482) 881510 or the  mortgage team email to arrange one
  • Protect yourself from fraud: Unfortunately, cybersecurity experts are warning that criminals are continuing to capitalise on the coronavirus situation. Please be vigilant and treat any new contact you receive via SMS text message, email or telephone as potentially suspicious, particularly if it asks you to pay out or transfer money. If you are at all unsure about any communications you receive, check before you act on them, and be wary of anyone you don’t know offering you services at home – including bringing you supplies if you are self-isolating and don’t have the support of friends and family. For a more detailed insight into cyberfraud and how to protect yourself against the risks, read our recent blog
  • Check our status before coming into branch, for the latest situation and to avoid any wasted journeys
  • If you think you might experience any difficulties in paying your mortgage, talk to us at the earliest opportunity and we will do our best to help you find a solution.

Message from our Chief Executive, Karl Elliott

“These are exceptional times for all of us, and we thank our customers for all the support and patience you have shown so far in helping us, to help you, throughout the global pandemic.

“As a grassroots independent building society, going out of our way to offer our customers outstanding customer service in the best, and worst, of times, is in our DNA.

“I am exceptionally proud of how my colleagues here at the Beverley have pulled together to ensure that we have continued to serve our customers and offer mortgage and savings solutions since the outset of this worldwide crisis.

“With the help of our loyal customers, I am confident that we will be able to continue doing so, and that we will all emerge stronger, together, and hopefully before too much longer.” 

you are concerned about anything at all, please don’t hesitate to us on (01482) 881510, or email us, and we will do everything we can to help and reassure you.

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