Coronavirus COVID-19 Updates

Loan Payment Hardship?

We understand that there will be hardships. Star One is here to help. We are offering a number of loan assistance options to provide short and long term relief to members affected by COVID-19, including deferred payments plans on our consumer and real estate loans.

Learn more or request payment assistance.

Star One does not offer business loans and does not participate in any Small Business Loan (SBA) programs.

Branches are open to members only. No changes to branch hours.

* Face coverings are required when visiting any Star One branch, per Order of the Health Officer of the County of Santa Clara.

Non-members will be referred to their own financial institution for Visa Cash advances and check cashing services.

We have made the following changes:

All Loan Applications must be submitted online—members requiring accessibility assistance please contact us.
Requiring appointments for New Memberships, IRAs and Account Servicing.
Limiting the number of members in the branch at any given time.
Requiring 6 feet of distance between individuals.
Limiting Notary services to Star One Documents.
Shield guards have been installed at every workstation and an auto dispensing hand sanitizer machine is available to members.

We remain committed to serving you and thank you for your understanding during this time.

Digital Financial Services—a webinar

Join us online on June 10 for the next in our series of webinars designed to help you manage money during COVID-19.

Technology has made managing your money much more convenient. Whether it's opening and managing accounts, transferring money or billpay, you'll learn the fundamentals of electronic banking.

Your IRA and the new CARES Act

Thanks to the new CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act), the 2019 income-tax return filing and payment deadline has been extended to July 15, and you may contribute to your IRA for 2019 as late as July 15.

The CARES Act allows you to withdraw up to $100,000 in Coronavirus-Related Distributions (CRDs) from eligible retirement plans—exempt from the 10-percent early-distribution penalty tax.

Additionally, individuals will not be required to take their 2020 required minimum distributions (RMDs) from their IRAs.

Learn more about the CARES Act and how its provisions affects your Star One IRA.

Personal Emergency Loans

Financial assistance is available to Star One members during difficult times. Star One Credit Union offers assistance to existing members who have been financially impacted by COVID-19.

Members may be eligible for up to $10,000 with a six-month deferred payment to help manage the expenses associated with this unexpected hardship.

Emergency Loan applications must be received by June 14, 2020. Learn more about the Emergency Loan.

EDD Debit Cards

If you've received an EDD Debit Card, you can set up a one-time or recurring direct deposit transfer to your Star One account at no cost. Visit the EDD Debit Card website to learn how.

The Strength of Star One

The strength of Star One comes from our members as well as our employees who are dedicated to fulfill our Mission to improve each member's life by delivering valuable financial services.

We know that during uncertain times, you might have questions about the safety of your assets and we are here to help. Our balance sheet is very strong with a net equity ratio of 12.54% as of 2/29/20, over double the regulatory minimum of 6%. We continue to be in a position to weather any interest rate or credit environment as we did during the 2008 financial crisis with little or no impact to our continued financial strength.

Learn more about Star One's financials.

Due to the strength and financial stability of Star One Credit Union, your assets are safe. Visit our National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) insurance page for more details.

COVID-19

As the situation with coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to develop, your Star One team is ready and standing by to support you. We will update this page regularly, please visit often for the latest developments.

Star One is regularly monitoring information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as our state and local agencies to ensure our actions are aligned with the recommendations.

Banking Without the Branch

As always, here are other convenient services you can take advantage of anywhere, anytime: Banking Without the Branch

Deposit checks with your smart phone using the Star One App
Withdraw cash at almost 30,000 CO-OP and Star One ATMs, Star One will waive any out-of-network ATM fees through June 14, 2020
Access your accounts securely with Online Banking and Mobile Banking to order checks, place a stop payment, submit a travel notification, and view your online statements and tax forms, and more
Access your accounts securely with Touchtone Teller
Apply for loans online, 24/7
Apply for new membership online, 24/7

While shopping in-person for essential goods, use Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay on your smartphone wherever they're supported, and minimize your contact with credit-card readers at the checkout!

Simply hold your phone up to the card reader and your Star One Visa card information is transmitted securely. What's more, at many stores, no signature is needed, further reducing your contact.

Economic Impact Payments

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced on March 30, 2020 that distribution of economic impact payments will begin in the next three weeks and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people. Please visit IRS.gov/coronavirus for updates.

When you receive your check in the mail, you can deposit it via mobile banking or online banking, or at a Star One ATM.

You can find your direct deposit account information (ACH Number) within mobile banking and mobile banking on your checking and savings account tile. For your protection, please be advised that Star One will never contact you for your account information.

Additional

May 7, 2020

Dear Member,

We want you to know that serving you is our top priority as COVID-19 has changed the way we all live and conduct business. For those of you who are utilizing our branches, we appreciate your understanding and support with the many changes in our branch operations to keep everyone safe. Below are a few reminders of what we're doing to support our members. If you have a need or question, we are here for you.

Branches are open to members only
Our branches are open during our normal hours for limited transactions. If you need IRA or account servicing, you can make an appointment in Online or Mobile Banking or on our website. To keep you and our staff safe, we've instituted recommendations by the CDC and state and local agencies to limit the spread of COVID-19 which include social distancing inside branches, enhanced branch and facility sanitizing procedures, and the requirement of face coverings.

Remote Banking and ATMs are available 24/7
Online Banking and Mobile Banking are secure and convenient ways to bank with us remotely. You can deposit checks, apply for loans, transfer funds, use Bill Pay to pay bills, view e-statements and tax forms, and do much more. Plus, Touchtone Teller gives you secure phone access to your accounts. ATMs are available, and we've temporarily increased the withdrawal limit to $1,000 a day.

We're waiving many fees

Out-of-Network ATM, Overdraft, Courtesy Pay, Returned Check, ACH Non-Sufficient Funds and Visa Limit fees will be waived from March 20 to June 14, 2020.
Loan and late payment fees on all our loans will be waived through June 14, 2020.

Loan payment hardship assistance
We are offering a number of loan payment assistance options to provide short and long term relief to members affected by COVID-19, including deferred payment plans on our consumer and real estate loans. (Deferred payments will be added to the end of your loan term.) More information is available on our website.

Supporting the Santa Clara community
This unprecedented time has challenged all of us, especially the organizations that serve our most vulnerable community members. Star One continues to support many local programs like Second Harvest Food Bank to ensure families and children are fed.

Important reminders about scammers
The security of your personal data and financial information is extremely important to us. Scammers are using the COVID-19 situation to take advantage of people. We want you to be safe and aware of their schemes. To learn more about how to protect yourself from scammers and to get answers to your Star One banking questions, please visit the COVID-19 Updates page on our website.

Our strength is your security
Star One will continue to support you through this challenging time and beyond. Our conservative investments and business policies set the foundation to our strength. With a very strong balance sheet, and net worth over $1 billion and double the regulatory requirement, we are in a solid position to withstand any economic climate the future holds. Our Board of Directors and staff are continually working to make decisions that benefit you, our members. Together, we're applying our knowledge and experience to help you meet your financial needs during this time. You can feel assured that we are, and will be, here to serve you. Thank you for your membership and continued partnership.

Sincerely,

Gary Rodrigues
President and CEO
Star One Credit Union

The security of your personal data and financial information is extremely important to us. In this challenging time, scammers are using the situation to take advantage of people. We want you to be safe and aware of their schemes. Help protect yourself with these tips.

Hang up on robocalls.
Don’t press any numbers. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from scam Coronavirus treatments to work-at-home schemes.

Ignore online offers for vaccinations and "miracle" cures.
There are currently no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure COVID-19.

Fact-check information.
Scammers, and sometimes well-meaning people, share information that hasn't been verified. Before acting on this information, contact trusted sources and websites to verify the accuracy of the information.

Don't respond to inquiries about the Economic Impact Payment.
Don't respond to phone, mail, email, text or social media requesting verification of personal information, fees, or banking information in order to receive your stimulus check. For more information including eligibility and any action you need to take, visit the IRS website.

Do your homework when it comes to donations.
If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don't do it. And only donate to trusted organizations.

Do not give your personal information or credentials.
As a reminder, Star One will never contact you and ask you to disclose or verify personal information, including passwords via e-mail or text.

Do not go to or enter personal information on unfamiliar websites.
Fake websites and applications may claim to share news, testing results, or other COVID-19 related information. But they will actually install malware, steal your personal information such as bank information or credentials, or cause other harm.

Be aware when working from home.
As employees sheltering in place work remotely, their personal devices are at increased risk. Be aware of fraudsters' tactics which include phishing, social engineering, and hacking. Use anti-virus software, and stick to trusted apps and websites.

For more information about current scams and how to avoid them, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Questions & Answers

Learn more or request payment assistance.

Assistance with notaries will be limited to Star One documents.

The VITA program (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) has been cancelled due to COVID-19—for alternatives, please visit the Earn it Keep it Save it website.

The daily cash withdrawal limit is $5,000; however depending on branch traffic those limits may be reduced. Cash withdrawals exceeding our daily cash limit can be accommodated. An order must be placed in branch or with one of our call center representatives. Please note there is a 4-business-day turnaround time. For your personal protection, we discourage large cash withdrawals.

Accounts can be accessed with Online Banking, Touchtone Teller, ATMs, Debit or Credit Card, and the Star One Mobile App.

Yes, at this time we are directing any new accounts or loan applications to our website. Both can be processed and funded remotely.

Star One is actively monitoring information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and federal, state, and local agencies to help ensure the actions we are taking are in line with the latest CDC recommendations and guidance. We urge members to use our remote services to do many banking transactions right from home. Our branches have also taken preventive measures to minimize exposure such as social distancing, routine disinfecting, and installing an auto-dispensing hand sanitizer machine at all locations.

Your Health and Safety Are Our Top Priorities