We hope this finds you and your hard-working news team healthy and holding up. Your jobs are not easy.

We are sharing a video that your viewers and online audiences may find to be reassuring. We know they have a lot of anxieties right now. Access to their funds need not be one of them. The video is about the special programs credit unions have in place to help Idahoans, and about the safety and soundness of credit unions.  https://youtu.be/49eYeXlLrCE

You may air it and post it in its entirety or pull soundbites from it. If you would like to interview Rick Metsger please contact me. 

Stay well-

PORTLAND, Ore. – March 27, 2020 – Umpqua Bank, a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: UMPQ), has announced a package of relief and support to help ease the financial burden of COVID-19's impact on customers, associates, and communities. 

“As the economic impact from the coronavirus continues to grow, we want all those we serve to know that Umpqua is here to help,” said Cort O’Haver, Umpqua Bank president & CEO. “In addition to taking action to provide immediate financial relief for customers, we’re expanding investments in our associates—particularly those on the frontlines of service—and our nonprofit partners working so hard to help our customers and communities get through this difficult time.”

Consumer Relief
For consumer customers experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19, Umpqua is deferring loan payments upon request and waiving all fees associated with deferred payments on existing loans and lines of credit for up to 90 days. The bank is also waiving ATM fees for all customers.

Small Business Relief
Umpqua small business customers impacted by COVID-19 can defer loan payments for up to 90 days and have the related deferral fees waived on deferred loans and lines of credit. The bank is also an active participant in numerous Small Business Administration programs, which offer additional avenues of assistance for small businesses.

Associate Support
For all associates, Umpqua has established a pandemic pay bank, providing additional paid time-off for COVID-19-related exposure or sickness, caring for an impacted loved one, as well as for childcare. The company has also implemented a Retail Frontline Pay program to recognize the dedication of associates who are continuing to deliver in-store customer service during this time.

Community Support
Umpqua has pledged $1 million in support through a combination of donations to nonprofits focused on alleviating the financial hardships of families and small businesses impacted by COVID-19 and capital investments in organizations that provide micro loans and capital to small businesses. In addition, Umpqua is providing a 3:1 match of all associate donations to community partners and activating its innovative Virtual Volunteer program, which allows the company’s associates to continue serving nonprofit organizations and practice safe social distancing.

According to O’Haver, “This combination of support provides immediate relief. But we recognize that the impacts of this crisis will be with us for some time, and we’ll continue to monitor the financial impact on the ground in the coming weeks and months. Above all, we want our associates, customers, and communities to know that we are with them and for them as we all face this challenge together.”

More information is available at https://www.umpquabank.com.

About Umpqua Bank
Umpqua Bank, headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation, and has locations across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada. Umpqua Bank has been recognized for its innovative customer experience and banking strategy by national publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, BusinessWeek, Fast Company and CNBC. The company has been recognized for eight years in a row on FORTUNE magazine's list of the country's "100 Best Companies to Work For," and was recently named by The Portland Business Journal the Most Admired Financial Services Company in Oregon for the fifteenth consecutive year. In addition to its retail banking presence, Umpqua Bank also owns Financial Pacific Leasing, Inc., a nationally recognized commercial finance company that provides equipment leases to businesses. A subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation, Umpqua Investments, Inc., provides retail brokerage and investment advisory services in offices throughout Washington, Oregon, and California. 

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Despite facility closures, millions of acres of BLM-managed public lands across Oregon remain open to enjoy, as long as you do so responsibly

Portland, Oregon – The health and safety of our visitors and staff remains the number one priority of the Bureau of Land Management. In accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state of Oregon public health officials, the BLM will temporarily close many of its developed recreation facilities to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

This closure includes all campgrounds, and some day use sites, and restrooms. Trash pickup and sanitation services on most of these recreation facilities will also be temporarily suspended.

Despite the closure of these facilities, multiple opportunities remain for the public to enjoy the outdoors as long as visitors heed orders, guidance, and advice of local and state officials and the Centers for Disease Control. BLM-managed trails and open spaces remain open across Oregon.

“Local, state or federal, we’re all in this together. The BLM is doing what we can as part of the whole of America response to the coronavirus,” said Jose Linares, acting State Director BLM OR/WA. “Although we have vast open spaces we continue to want people to use, we can’t stress enough that everyone listen to local officials and practice safe social distancing.”

Visitors may continue to enjoy their BLM managed trails and open spaces in Oregon while following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Local and State public health authorities. Social distancing recommendations are extremely important to reducing the transmission of COVID-19 and may require that visitors avoid public lands during high-use times, such as weekends. Please limit any group activities to members of your household, and keep your total party to 10 or fewer participants. At all times, maintain a distance of six feet or more from other people.

The BLM encourages responsible, local recreation to avoid putting strain on other communities. To ensure public lands and waters remain intact for future generations, visitors are encouraged to utilize Leave No Trace practices, such as picking up all trash and human waste, while services at recreational facilities are suspended. Please bring your own sanitary products, including toilet paper and hand sanitizer, and pack out all trash.

Providing for recreation opportunities during this time is just one of the many activities BLM Oregon/Washington staff continues to perform each and every day remain because they are vitally important to the nation and our neighbors. Our work continues to support the nation’s energy and food security. We provide for sustainable timber harvests and provide protection from wildland fire. We are stewards of amazing landscapes and provide for enjoyment of all types of outdoor recreation.

If you’d like to do business with the BLM, please do so by email or phone whenever possible.  If you need to come into one of our offices, please contact us first so we can arrange an appointment to help you during normal business hours. Contact information is available on our website at www.blm.gov/oregon-washington.

Information on the affected BLM Oregon-Washington facilities will be posted on https://www.blm.gov/oregon-washington/covid-access-restrictions. Please check with individual field and district offices and visitor centers for specific details on operations in your area.

• Burns District: 541-573-4400
• Coos Bay District: 541-756-0100
• Lakeview District: 541-947-2177
• Medford District: 541-618-2200
• Northwest Oregon District: 503-375-5646
• Prineville District: 541-416-6700
• Roseburg District: 541-440-4930
• Vale District: 541-473-3144

These closures are pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): 43 CFR § 8364.1, 43 CFR § 9268.3(d)(1), and 43 CFR § 8365.1-4.

– BLM–

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In fiscal year 2018, the diverse activities authorized on BLM-managed lands generated $105 billion in economic output across the country. This economic activity supported 471,000 jobs and contributed substantial revenue to the U.S. Treasury and state governments, mostly through royalties on minerals.

SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon National Guard, in conjunction with the Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) is scheduled to provide and deliver 150 military cots along with blankets and hygiene packs to La Grande, Oregon, March 26. The supplies were requested by Union County Emergency Management to support ongoing medical response in Oregon.

“We are all part of one team working together to ensure the safety of our communities throughout Oregon,” said Stephen Bomar, Director of Public Affairs for the Oregon Military Department.

A crew of four Oregon Army National Guardsmen assembled the military cots, blankets and hygiene packs in Salem on March 25, and then loaded and transported the items to be delivered today in La Grande.

In addition to delivering the supplies, the team is scheduled to support a Grant County request by assisting in setting up a temporary structure/s at the Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day, Oregon, to be used to support short-term medial stations if/when needed.

“Our team at Blue Mountain Hospital District is thankful to the Oregon Army National Guard for answering our call for support. We envision using this tent as an important extension of our emergency department in the event there is an influx of patient volume”, said Derek Daly, the Chief Executive Officer for Blue Mountain Hospital District.

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PHOTO CAPTIONS: 

200325-A-LM216-269: Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. Luke Fox, prepares 150 military cots along with 150 blankets and hygiene packs provided by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, to be delivered by a team of four Oregon Army National Guardsman from Salem to La Grande, Ore., at the request of Union County Emergency Management in response to the COVID-19 situation, March 25, 2020. Additionally, at the request of Grant County, the team will deliver and assist in setting up three large tents to Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day, Ore., to be used, if needed, to support temporary medical stations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Holden, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office) 

200325-A-LM216-290: Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. Luke Fox, prepares 150 military cots along with 150 blankets and hygiene packs provided by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, to be delivered by a team of four Oregon Army National Guardsman from Salem to La Grande, Ore., at the request of Union County Emergency Management in response to the COVID-19 situation, March 25, 2020. Additionally, at the request of Grant County, the team will deliver and assist in setting up three large tents to Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day, Ore., to be used, if needed, to support temporary medical stations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Holden, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office) 

200325-A-LM216-311: Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. Luke Fox prepares a trailer and Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV) for his team to deliver 150 military cots along with 150 blankets and hygiene packs provided by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to La Grande, Ore., March 25, 2020. The team of four Oregon Army National Guardsman will travel from Salem to La Grande at the request of Union County Emergency Management in response to the COVID-19 situation. Additionally, at the request of Grant County, the team will deliver and assist in setting up three large tents to Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day, Ore., to be used, if needed, to support temporary medical stations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Holden, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office) 

200325-A-LM216-354: Oregon Army National Guard Spc. Gerod Martin (left) and Sgt. Luke Fox, prepare a trailer and Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV) for his team to deliver 150 military cots along with 150 blankets and hygiene packs provided by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to La Grande, Ore., March 26, 2020. The team of four Oregon Army National Guardsman will travel from Salem to La Grande at the request of Union County Emergency Management in response to the COVID-19 situation. Additionally, at the request of Grant County, the team will deliver and assist in setting up three large tents to Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day, Ore., to be used, if needed, to support temporary medical stations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Holden, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office) 

200325-A-LM216-379: Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. Luke Fox guides a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV) driven by Spc. Gerod Martin as the team of four Oregon National Guardsman depart to deliver 150 military cots along with 150 blankets and hygiene packs provided by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to La Grande, Ore., March 26, 2020. The team will travel from Salem to La Grande at the request of Union County Emergency Management in response to the COVID-19 situation. Additionally, at the request of Grant County, the team will deliver and assist in setting up three large tents to Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day, Ore., to be used if needed, to support temporary medical stations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Holden, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office) 

200325-A-LM216-398: Oregon Army National Guard Spc. Gerod Martin (right) and Sgt. Luke Fox, prepare a trailer and Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV) for his team to deliver 150 military cots along with 150 blankets and hygiene packs provided by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to La Grande, Ore., March 26, 2020. The team of four Oregon Army National Guardsman will travel from Salem to La Grande at the request of Union County Emergency Management in response to the COVID-19 situation. Additionally, at the request of Grant County, the team will deliver and assist in setting up three large tents to Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day, Ore., to be used, if needed, to support temporary medical stations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Holden, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office) 

As essential financial services providers, they’re offering special services to members impacted by COVID-19.

SeaTac, Washington (March 26, 2020) – Credit unions are considered essential businesses under Governor Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, and are here to support more than 4.3 million Washingtonians. As not-for-profit, cooperative financial services providers, credit unions are already mobilized to help their members who are facing financial hardships as the result of COVID-19.

While communities are coming together in efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus, disruptions in everyday life may create inconveniences, anxiety, and financial difficulty for Washingtonians. Credit unions are helping members and employees through those challenges. Afterall, the credit union philosophy is “People Helping People.”

Credit Unions are Here for You

Washingtonians are facing life-changing disruptions as schools and many businesses close. Unfortunately, for many, this has meant the loss of jobs or income. Washington’s credit unions have special programs in place to help consumers through these difficult times, and have already provided hundreds of solutions such as:

• Loan modifications to make payments more affordable
• Options to skip mortgage payments for as long as 90 days
• Emergency low-interest to zero-interest loans

At a credit union, you’re not a number – you’re a member, and each member’s needs are unique. If you are being impacted financially by COVID-19, contact your credit union to find out about the solutions that are best for you. If you aren’t a credit union member, and unsure where to start, visit YourMoneyFurther.com to learn more and find one near you.

Still Connected During Social Distancing

Like your family, the credit union family is following best “social distancing” practices to keep members and employees safe. Some branches are closed, but drive-throughs remain open, ATMs are operating, employees are answering questions at call centers, and online and mobile apps are available for 24/7 account access.

There is no Need to Carry Large Amounts of Cash

With full access to your money through digital technology, there is no reason for you to withdraw large amounts of cash; in fact, we’re hearing many merchants may prefer that you use a debit or credit card right now. If your cash is lost or stolen, it cannot be replaced, but your credit union can fix you up with new credit and debit cards if they are lost or stolen.

We as credit unions understand the difficulty this situation presents, and we are working through this together.

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The Northwest Credit Union Association is the trade association representing more than 175 not-for-profit, cooperative credit unions in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and their 7.3  million consumer members. As not-for-profit cooperatives, credit unions look out for their members’ financial well-being. Everyone should open their eyes to a credit union.  For more information, please visit: https://yourmoneyfurther.com