WAVERLY, Tenn. (TN Tribune)– Regions Bank on Friday announced the opening of a full-service portable branch facility outside the bank’s flood-damaged Waverly location at 201 Waverly Plaza.
The portable branch facility is a modern bank on wheels. It offers virtually all the services of a traditional bank branch and is staffed by local professionals who understand the needs of people and businesses affected by the Aug. 21 flooding in Middle Tennessee.
Regions’ Waverly branch was among businesses that were heavily damaged. The bank’s latest portable branch facility, which was first deployed to Nashville following the March 2020 tornado, allows Regions Bank teams to maintain important financial services for people and businesses in the wake of natural disasters.
“Regions Bank believes in neighbors helping neighbors when they face difficult times,” said Scott Beard, local market executive for the bank. “We’ve been part of the Waverly community for many years, and we’re committed to helping people and businesses recover. The arrival of our portable branch offers customers peace of mind by once again enabling them to conduct their banking business here at home. Our team members are here to do everything we can to help people get back on their feet.”
At Regions’ portable branch, people can use an ATM around the clock, conduct transactions with Regions bankers during regular branch hours, and speak with financial professionals about storm-recovery needs. The portable branch features plexiglass shields, and Regions bankers are wearing masks to observe pandemic safety guidelines.
The ATM on the side of the branch is a Regions DepositSmart ATM, which can accept deposits of cash or checks – in addition to actually cashing checks for customers – day or night. The facility also features encrypted satellite uplink technology, security cameras and 24/7 on-site security.
The portable branch facility is simply the latest development in Regions’ comprehensive community response to the recent flooding. On Aug. 30, Regions teams donated more than 300 items – including flashlights, batteries, gloves, buckets, box fans, pillows, tote bags, clean-up supplies, and more – to help with recovery efforts.
“Waverly is such a close-knit community,” said Kimberly Moore, community relations officer for Regions Bank. “It was inspiring to see how everyone has come together to help each other during such a difficult time. It’s a moment of seeing the absolute best of people. We’re grateful to do our part in supporting this outpouring of generosity, and we’re currently planning ways to provide additional volunteer support in the weeks to come.”
Bank associates in Clarksville also provided support by serving as runners for the Humphreys County Emergency Management Agency and fielding phone calls from people wanting to help.
“This community is hurting and devastated,” said Rebecca McCall, manager of Regions’ Lowes Drive branch in Clarksville. “The people of Waverly will need help for a long time to come, and our team was thankful to assist with efforts helping to put this community back together.”
In addition, Regions Bank launched a series of disaster-recovery financial services to help people and businesses in impacted areas of Humphreys, Houston, Hickman, and Dickson counties.1 The services, available for a limited time, include:
- Regions Mortgage Disaster Relief Purchase and Renovation loan programs
- Regions fees will be waived when Regions customers use other banks’ ATMs in the impacted areas for 15 days beginning Aug. 26, 2021. (Note: Fees charged by other banks or ATM owners may still apply.)
- No check-cashing fees for FEMA-issued checks when cashed in a Regions branch2
- Payment deferrals for credit card holders may be available based on individual circumstances.3
- Personal and business loan payment assistance may be available based on individual circumstances.3
- Business loan payment deferrals of up to 90 days may be available based on individual circumstances.3
- One penalty-free CD withdrawal is available upon request (unless within seven days of issuance or renewal).
- An interest rate discount of 0.50% is available on new personal unsecured loans when customers apply in a branch or by phone.
- An interest rate discount of 0.50% on standard rates is available for new business loans or lines of credit of up to $1 million to help with recovery needs in impacted areas.4
- An interest rate discount of 0.50% is available on new unsecured business term loans of up to $50,000 with up to 36-month terms, including waived origination and loan document fees, as well as options for the first payments to be deferred by up to 90 days.4
- Mortgages, home equity loans and lines: 1-800-748-9498
- Other consumer loans: 1-866-298-1113
- Any other banking needs: 1-800-411-9393
The Regions Foundation, a nonprofit initiative funded primarily by Regions Bank, also contributed a total of $50,000 in grants to be divided among United Way of Humphreys County and The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to support immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts.
“During such a devastating period of loss, we are thankful for the generosity of people and nonprofits coming together to help,” said Marta Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation. “These grants from the Regions Foundation will help the United Way of Humphreys County and The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee advance the recovery that’s underway, and the work that remains to be done as our communities recover.”