Hurricane Milton Relief Response: Regions Bank Announces Disaster-Recovery Financial Services for Impacted Florida Markets

Rhea-AI Summary

Regions Bank has announced disaster-recovery financial services for Florida communities affected by Hurricane Milton. The bank is offering several temporary relief measures including: waived ATM surcharges, mortgage disaster relief programs, payment deferrals for credit cards and business loans, penalty-free CD withdrawals, and interest rate discounts on various loans. Special disaster response rates include 0.50% discounts on personal unsecured loans, business loans up to $1 million, and auto loans. The bank has established dedicated contact centers for customer support and is conducting assessments of impacted branches across Florida. The Regions Foundation is expected to announce grant funding for organizations providing disaster relief.

Positive

• Offering 0.50% interest rate discounts on various loans including business loans up to $1 million
• Providing payment deferrals up to 90 days for business loans
• Implementing fee waivers for ATM usage and FEMA check cashing

Negative

• Potential temporary branch closures in affected areas pending damage assessment
• time availability of special financial services
• Restricted geographical availability of relief services to specific impacted areas

Insights

Financial Services Expert

This disaster-recovery response from Regions Bank, while supportive for affected communities, has minimal direct impact on the bank's financial performance. The temporary fee waivers and interest rate discounts represent standard industry practice following natural disasters and are unlikely to materially affect revenue. Key offerings include:

• ATM fee waivers through October 23
• 0.50% interest rate discounts on various loans
• Payment deferrals up to 90 days
• Special business lending terms for recovery needs

While these measures demonstrate strong community engagement and could support long-term customer loyalty, the short-term cost to the bank is manageable within normal operating expenses. The potential for increased lending activity during recovery may provide some revenue opportunities, but this is typically offset by temporary fee waivers and potential loan losses in affected areas.

Regional effects of second named storm in two weeks prompt new wave of special banking services from Regions Bank.

By Ashley Foster

TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / October 28, 2024 / In the wake of Hurricane Milton, Regions Bank announced a series of disaster-recovery financial services designed to help people and businesses in communities across Florida's impacted storm path.

"Our hearts are with everyone who's been affected by Milton, and in the days, weeks and months to come, our teams stand ready to help people assess their financial needs and build a plan to confidently move forward," said John Jordan, head of Retail for Regions Bank. "This is a time when our teams work with heightened urgency for our customers; it's a time for us to lean into our experience and help people and businesses navigate the difficult paths that lie ahead. And beyond the services we're announcing today, we invite our customers to meet with our teams one-on-one to discuss your situation in-depth so we can look for any other ways our services and support can help."

Special Bank Services:

The following services and special offers are now in effect for a limited time in impacted areas¹:

• Regions will waive ATM Surcharges at Regions ATMs for non-customers in the impacted areas¹ through at least Oct. 23.

• The bank will also waive fees charged when Regions customers use other banks' ATMs in the impacted areas through at least Oct. 23. (Note: Fees charged by other banks or ATM owners may still apply.)

• Regions will provide Mortgage Disaster Relief Purchase and Renovation loan programs.

• The bank will remove check-cashing fees for FEMA-issued checks when cashed in a Regions branch².

• Personal and business loan payment assistance³ is available for qualified customers.

• Regions is offering payment deferrals for current credit card holders³.

• The bank can provide business loan payment deferrals of up to 90 days³.

• Additionally, Regions is offering one penalty-free CD withdrawal upon request (unless within seven days of issuance or renewal).

• Regions is offering a Disaster Response interest rate discount of 0.50% on new personal unsecured loans when customers apply in a branch or by phone⁴.

• Regions is offering a Disaster Response interest rate discount of 0.50% on standard rates for new business loans or lines of credit of up to $1 million to help with recovery needs in impacted areas⁴.

• Regions is offering a Disaster Response interest rate discount of 0.50% 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 days⁴.

• Regions is offering a Disaster Response interest rate discount of up to 0.50% on non-business auto loans when customers apply in-branch or by phone⁵.

• Dedicated Contact Center:

  • For help with loans, credit cards, or deposit accounts: 1-800-221-7471

  • For help with any other banking need: 1-800-411-9393

• The areas covered by these services could be expanded in the coming days to include additional communities based on continued damage assessments or further disaster declarations from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Check https://www.regions.com/hurricanemilton for an updated list of areas where these offers are available as damage assessments continue.

Regions' branches in impacted portions of western, central and eastern Florida are currently being assessed, and any closed locations will reopen as soon as possible pending the restoration of utilities, debris removal, any required repair work or other necessary steps for business to resume as normal. In addition, banking services remain available around the clock through Regions.com, the Regions Mobile Banking App, and other Regions branch locations across Florida, the Southeast and beyond.

Business Support:

Regions Bank's business clients include companies of various sizes, from smaller businesses to major corporations. Just as the bank delivers customized financial guidance for individual consumers, so, too, will Regions' teams support business clients through the recovery.

"There are many companies, large and small, that will be working to get back to normal while also supporting the short-term and long-term recovery of their communities," said Nikki Stephenson, head of Commercial Banking for Regions. "As always, we're ready to work with business clients one-on-one to discuss their needs and identify the best financial services and solutions to support their operations. We'll be calling on clients proactively, and we welcome any company seeking financial guidance through the recovery process to let us know how we can help."

Here for You:

In addition to the above disaster-recovery services, Regions Bank teams can be contacted at the following numbers for customized guidance on a range of lending products, including:

• 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

Community Support:

In addition to special financial services from Regions Bank, the Regions Foundation - a nonprofit funded primarily by Regions Bank - is expected to announce grant funding in the coming days for organizations providing disaster relief. For example, following Hurricane Helene, the Regions Foundation announced a series of grants for several agencies supporting recovery operations across multiple states. Once grants are finalized for organizations supporting the recovery from Milton in Florida, information will be posted at regions.doingmoretoday.com.

About Regions Financial Corporation

Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $154 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,250 banking offices and more than 2,000 ATMs. Regions Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.

About Regions Foundation:

The Alabama-based Region Foundation supports community investments that positively impact communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank. To learn more about the Regions Foundation visit www.regions.com/foundation.

¹Offers are available for a limited time and only to individuals and businesses affected by the recent disaster in the ZIP codes listed below, may be subject to other exclusions and restrictions, and are subject to change without notice. All loans and lines, deferrals, extensions or forbearances may be subject to required documentation and credit approval. Residency restrictions may apply.

Affected ZIP codes are as follows; please note: the list of ZIP codes could be expanded to include additional communities based on ongoing assessments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency:

32114, 32115, 32116, 32117, 32118, 32119, 32120, 32121, 32122, 32123, 32124, 32125, 32126, 32127, 32128, 32129, 32130, 32132, 32141, 32163, 32168, 32169, 32170, 32173, 32174, 32175, 32176, 32198, 32701, 32702, 32703, 32704, 32706, 32707, 32708, 32709, 32710, 32712, 32713, 32714, 32715, 32716, 32718, 32719, 32720, 32721, 32722, 32723, 32724, 32725, 32726, 32727, 32728, 32730, 32732, 32733, 32735, 32736, 32738, 32739, 32744, 32745, 32746, 32747, 32750, 32751, 32752, 32753, 32754, 32756, 32757, 32759, 32762, 32763, 32764, 32765, 32766, 32767, 32768, 32771, 32772, 32773, 32774, 32775, 32776, 32777, 32778, 32779, 32780, 32781, 32783, 32784, 32789, 32790, 32791, 32792, 32793, 32794, 32795, 32796, 32798, 32799, 32801, 32802, 32803, 32804, 32805, 32806, 32807, 32808, 32809, 32810, 32811, 32812, 32814, 32815, 32816, 32817, 32818, 32819, 32820, 32821, 32822, 32824, 32825, 32826, 32827, 32828, 32829, 32830, 32831, 32832, 32833, 32834, 32835, 32836, 32837, 32839, 32853, 32854, 32855, 32856, 32857, 32858, 32859, 32860, 32861, 32862, 32867, 32868, 32869, 32872, 32877, 32878, 32885, 32886, 32887, 32891, 32896, 32897, 32899, 32901, 32902, 32903, 32904, 32905, 32906, 32907, 32908, 32909, 32910, 32911, 32912, 32919, 32920, 32922, 32923, 32924, 32925, 32926, 32927, 32931, 32932, 32934, 32935, 32936, 32937, 32940, 32941, 32948, 32949, 32950, 32951, 32952, 32953, 32954, 32955, 32956, 32957, 32958, 32959, 32960, 32961, 32962, 32963, 32964, 32965, 32966, 32967, 32968, 32969, 32970, 32971, 32976, 32978, 33503, 33508, 33509, 33510, 33511, 33513, 33514, 33521, 33523, 33524, 33525, 33526, 33527, 33530, 33534, 33537, 33538, 33539, 33540, 33541, 33542, 33543, 33544, 33545, 33547, 33548, 33549, 33550, 33556, 33558, 33559, 33563, 33564, 33565, 33566, 33567, 33568, 33569, 33570, 33571, 33572, 33573, 33574, 33575, 33576, 33578, 33579, 33583, 33584, 33585, 33586, 33587, 33592, 33593, 33594, 33595, 33596, 33597, 33598, 33601, 33602, 33603, 33604, 33605, 33606, 33607, 33608, 33609, 33610, 33611, 33612, 33613, 33614, 33615, 33616, 33617, 33618, 33619, 33620, 33621, 33622, 33623, 33624, 33625, 33626, 33629, 33630, 33631, 33633, 33634, 33635, 33637, 33646, 33647, 33650, 33655, 33660, 33664, 33672, 33673, 33674, 33675, 33677, 33679, 33680, 33681, 33682, 33684, 33685, 33686, 33687, 33688, 33689, 33694, 33701, 33702, 33703, 33704, 33705, 33706, 33707, 33708, 33709, 33710, 33711, 33712, 33713, 33714, 33715, 33716, 33729, 33730, 33731, 33732, 33733, 33734, 33736, 33738, 33740, 33741, 33742, 33743, 33744, 33747, 33755, 33756, 33757, 33758, 33759, 33760, 33761, 33762, 33763, 33764, 33765, 33766, 33767, 33769, 33770, 33771, 33772, 33773, 33774, 33775, 33776, 33777, 33778, 33779, 33780, 33781, 33782, 33784, 33785, 33786, 33801, 33802, 33803, 33804, 33805, 33806, 33807, 33809, 33810, 33811, 33812, 33813, 33815, 33820, 33823, 33825, 33826, 33827, 33830, 33831, 33834, 33835, 33836, 33837, 33838, 33839, 33840, 33841, 33843, 33844, 33845, 33846, 33847, 33848, 33849, 33850, 33851, 33852, 33853, 33854, 33855, 33856, 33857, 33858, 33859, 33860, 33862, 33863, 33865, 33867, 33868, 33870, 33871, 33872, 33873, 33875, 33876, 33877, 33880, 33881, 33882, 33883, 33884, 33885, 33888, 33890, 33896, 33897, 33898, 33901, 33902, 33903, 33904, 33905, 33906, 33907, 33908, 33909, 33910, 33911, 33912, 33913, 33914, 33915, 33916, 33917, 33918, 33919, 33920, 33921, 33922, 33924, 33927, 33928, 33929, 33931, 33932, 33936, 33938, 33945, 33946, 33947, 33948, 33949, 33950, 33951, 33952, 33953, 33954, 33955, 33956, 33957, 33960, 33965, 33966, 33967, 33970, 33971, 33972, 33973, 33974, 33976, 33980, 33981, 33982, 33983, 33990, 33991, 33993, 33994, 34101, 34102, 34103, 34104, 34105, 34106, 34107, 34108, 34109, 34110, 34112, 34113, 34114, 34116, 34117, 34119, 34120, 34133, 34134, 34135, 34136, 34145, 34146, 34201, 34202, 34203, 34204, 34205, 34206, 34207, 34208, 34209, 34210, 34211, 34212, 34215, 34216, 34217, 34218, 34219, 34220, 34221, 34222, 34223, 34224, 34228, 34229, 34230, 34231, 34232, 34233, 34234, 34235, 34236, 34237, 34238, 34239, 34240, 34241, 34242, 34243, 34249, 34250, 34251, 34260, 34264, 34265, 34266, 34267, 34268, 34269, 34270, 34272, 34274, 34275, 34276, 34277, 34280, 34281, 34282, 34284, 34285, 34286, 34287, 34288, 34289, 34290, 34291, 34292, 34293, 34295, 34436, 34601, 34602, 34603, 34604, 34605, 34606, 34607, 34608, 34609, 34610, 34611, 34613, 34614, 34636, 34637, 34638, 34639, 34652, 34653, 34654, 34655, 34656, 34660, 34661, 34667, 34668, 34669, 34673, 34674, 34677, 34679, 34680, 34681, 34682, 34683, 34684, 34685, 34688, 34689, 34690, 34691, 34692, 34695, 34697, 34698, 34705, 34711, 34712, 34713, 34714, 34715, 34729, 34731, 34734, 34736, 34737, 34739, 34740, 34741, 34742, 34743, 34744, 34745, 34746, 34747, 34748, 34749, 34753, 34755, 34756, 34758, 34759, 34760, 34761, 34762, 34769, 34770, 34771, 34772, 34773, 34777, 34778, 34785, 34786, 34787, 34788, 34789, 34797, 34945, 34946, 34947, 34948, 34949, 34950, 34951, 34952, 34953, 34954, 34957, 34958, 34972, 34979, 34981, 34982, 34983, 34984, 34985, 34986, 34987, 34994, 34995, 34996

²The FEMA no check-cashing fee offer is available only to Regions customers; if you are not a Regions customer, you must enroll in Now Banking. No checking account is required to enroll in Now Banking. Regions reserves the right to refuse to cash any check.

³May be subject to credit approval. Interest will continue to accrue during the period that the payment is skipped or deferred. For installment loans, deferring or skipping payment may extend the maturity of your loan but will not automatically extend any optional insurance. Forbearances, skipped payments and deferrals (a) may vary by customer, (b) postpone - rather than forgive - certain payment obligations and (c) may require payment in full of the postponed payments at the end of the forbearance or deferral period, in addition to any other amounts that come due, unless you make other arrangements with Regions to resolve the delinquency.

⁴New business loan and personal unsecured loan rate discounts may not be combined with other special offers or discounts. Interest will accrue during the optional 90-day payment deferral period for unsecured business loans if elected.

⁵Auto loan rate discount of up to 0.50% includes 0.25% disaster relief rate discount with an additional 0.25% rate discount when you enroll in auto debit payments from an existing Regions checking account. Auto loan rate discounts cannot be combined with other special offers or discounts.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Regions Bank on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:
Spokesperson: Regions Bank
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/regions-bank
Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Regions Bank

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What disaster relief services is Regions Bank (RF) offering for Hurricane Milton victims?

Regions Bank is offering ATM fee waivers, mortgage disaster relief programs, payment deferrals, penalty-free CD withdrawals, and 0.50% interest rate discounts on various loans including business loans up to $1 million.

How long will Regions Bank (RF) waive ATM fees for Hurricane Milton victims?

Regions Bank will waive ATM surcharges through at least October 23 for both customers and non-customers in impacted areas.

What business loan support is Regions Bank (RF) providing after Hurricane Milton?

Regions Bank is offering business loan payment deferrals up to 90 days, 0.50% interest rate discounts on business loans up to $1 million, and special terms for unsecured business loans up to $50,000.