Coronavirus Information

The safety of our clients, staff, and community is the top priority for Amboy Bank. We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation. We are working diligently to protect the wellbeing of our clients and staff and ensure you have access to the financial resources you need.

Consumer Information & Branch Updates

Updated 9/15/2020

Branch Access

While our drive-ups and ATMs remain available for your use, we have begun to manage client access to our branch lobbies. If you have transactions to conduct or wish to speak about a financial matter, and you feel that it would be beneficial to be face-to-face with our staff, please make an appointment online or call your local branch. 

• Use a face covering when inside the branch -- we'll be wearing them too.
• Stand at least 6 feet from other people.
• Sanitize your hands before and after your transaction - hand sanitizer will be available in the branch.
• Visit our website for your specific branch hours. Please note that our Millstone branch will remain closed until further notice.

Updated 6/2/2020

Your EIP Debit Card

While many people have received their Economic Impact Payments via direct deposit or check, some are receiving it via a mailed debit card. These cards are authorized by the IRS. For information on how to activate the card, how to use it, or how to find your balance, you may visit EIPcard.com.

Updated 5/18/2020

Free Weekly Credit Reports Are Available

Due to the financial strain that many are now feeling, everyone is eligible to get free weekly credit reports from the three national credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. To get your free reports, go to AnnualCreditReport.com. The credit reporting agencies are making these reports free for the next year.

Updated 5/11/2020

Economic Impact Payment Information

As part of the CARES Act, individual workers, independent contractors, and freelancers are entitled to receive a onetime $1,200 payment ($2,400 for married couples) from the IRS, plus an additional $500 per dependent 16 years or younger. The payments commenced on April 15.

In order to qualify for the full amount, you have to have earned $75,000 or less in the prior year ($150,000 or less if married and filing jointly). Above those income levels, the stimulus payment decreases until it stops for single people earning $99,000 or married couples who have no children and earn $198,000. You can use your 2019 tax return, or your 2018 return if you've not yet filed this year, to see the income amount the IRS will use to calculate your payment.

So, how do you receive the payment? If you've filed taxes for either 2019 or 2018, your payment will be sent automatically. Those with direct deposit information on file with the IRS will have the payment sent electronically, while all others will have checks mailed to them.

• Update on payments sent out as of May 8, 2020
• If you have not needed to file your taxes in recent years, you may enter your information here.
• Check your payment status or enter your direct deposit information
• Info Center & FAQs from the IRS are helpful. 

Watch out for Coronavirus Scams- Retirees, Especially

The IRS and its Criminal Investigation Division have seen a wave of new and evolving phishing schemes against taxpayers. In most cases, the IRS will deposit economic impact payments into the direct deposit account taxpayers previously provided on tax returns. If the IRS does not have a taxpayer's direct deposit information, a check will be mailed to the address on file. 

The IRS also reminds retirees who don't normally have a requirement to file a tax return that no action on their part is needed to receive their $1,200 economic impact payment. Seniors should be especially careful during this period. The IRS reminds retirees – including recipients of Forms SSA-1099 and RRB-1099 − that no one from the agency will be reaching out to them by phone, email, mail or in person asking for any kind of information to complete their economic impact payment. The IRS is sending these $1,200 payments automatically to retirees – no additional action or information is needed on their part to receive this.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that scammers may:

• Emphasize the words "Stimulus Check" or "Stimulus Payment." The official term is economic impact payment.
• Ask the taxpayer to sign over their economic impact payment check to them.
• Ask by phone, email, text or social media for verification of personal and/or banking information saying that the information is needed to receive or speed up their economic impact payment.
• Suggest that they can get a tax refund or economic impact payment faster by working on the taxpayer's behalf. This scam could be conducted by social media or even in person.
• Mail the taxpayer a bogus check, perhaps in an odd amount, then tell the taxpayer to call a number or verify information online in order to cash it.

A Message from Our President

Updated 4/7/2020

In accordance with the recommended procedures of local authorities, we will be temporarily adjusting the operations of our branches as follows:

• Branches with drive-up service: Amboy Bank will be temporarily suspending lobby services at these branches. Transactions may be carried out through the drive-up window, ATM and night depository (where applicable). You can also call the branch to arrange an appointment for limited essential services, such as safe deposit box access and wire transfer services. Signs will be posted at the branch with these instructions as well. Effective April 7, all drive-ups will close at 5:00 pm or earlier if they usually close before then.
• Branches without drive-up services- limited access by appointment (Metuchen, Millstone, New Brunswick and Woodbridge): Amboy Bank clients will have access to the branch lobby by appointment only to ensure social distancing practices. Please contact your branch to arrange an appointment for limited essential services, such as safe deposit box access and wire transfer services. Transactions may also be carried out through the ATM and night depository (where applicable). Signs will be posted at the branch with these instructions as well.

Before visiting a branch we recommend you view our Branches page for any updated information about temporary closures or hour changes.

In addition, we have increased ATM withdrawal limits and increased mobile deposit limits.

We will continue to do our best to service you, while keeping both your safety and the safety of our employees, as the top priority. We continue to remain vigilant and follow the recommended procedures and protocols of the national and local authorities in an effort to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our clients and staff. 

You may continue to self-serve through Digital Services, such as our 24-hour online banking platform, and our extended-hours Call Center. See our list of branch hours and locations and accessibility options.

Please continue to check AmboyBank.com or call 877-22-AMBOY for updates. As always, you can take advantage of our online banking platform by visiting AmboyBank.com or Amboy24 at 877-24-AMBOY.

Also, please contact us if you have difficulty paying your Amboy loan, read our precautions about Coronavirus scams, and rest assured that your FDIC coverage remains in effect.

Sincerely,
G. Gregory Scharpf

President and CEO
Amboy Bank

Consumer Lending Assistance

Updated 4/1/2020

Amboy Bank is prepared to help you through these difficult times. If you have a loan with us and would like to know what options can assist you, please call us at 800-942-6269.

Health Resources

• CDC
• State of New Jersey Department of Health
• WHO
• If you're unsure of where to get help, consult with your Primary Care Physician

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You can do your part by taking the following steps: 

• If you are not feeling well or exhibit any respiratory issues, DO NOT come into work
• For traveling considerations, please check out the CDC website 
• Develop the habit of washing your hands regularly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol based sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or the inside of your elbow, then dispose of the tissue
• Wipe down work surfaces, phones and other devices periodically with a wipe or disinfecting spray
• Avoid close contact (6 feet) with people who appear to have a respiratory infection

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Protect Yourself from Scams

The FTC has been alerting consumers as to the various scams that have been cropping up.

Read about the Grandparent Scam targeting Older Americans, and scams surrounding the Economic Impact Payments.

Business Loans & Resources

 

View our Business Lending Options page for the latest info, including how to apply for the new round or the Paycheck Protection Program

Updated 1/19/2021

A new round of PPP has begun. Clients who participated in the first round are eligible for this second round of funding. The SBA has yet to determine the program rules, but at a minimum, the rules makes the SBA PPP available to businesses with 300 or fewer employees, that saw a 25% or greater revenue drop in 2020 compared to 2019, and that have used the full amount of their first-draw PPP loan. To get the process started, click below to complete our brief form. 

Start PPP Process

Additional information that may be useful to you is here.

Updated 8/10/2020

The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency has introduced the Small Landlord Emergency Grant Program (SLEG). This program will reimburse small residential rental property owners for lost rent revenue due to COVID-19 between April and July 2020, as long as they agree to forgive outstanding back rent and late fees that their tenant accrued during this time.

Applications are due by August 26, 2020. Learn more.

Updated 6/11/2020

The Payment Protection Program Flexibility Act has been signed into law. Learn more about how this provides greater flexibility for borrowers.

Updated 5/22/2020



The past couple of months have not been easy for any of us, especially our small businesses. Amboy Bank was honored to have helped over 850 local businesses obtain Paycheck Protection Program loans for over $100 million. But our commitment to helping does not end there. To help ease the transition to our previous way of life, Amboy Bank has put together a list of our clients that are OPEN for Business! Please check it out to see which ones you might want to solicit, and submit our form to have your business listed, as well.  


Updated 5/18/2020

 

We are no longer accepting inquiries for the Paycheck Protection Program. Please see our Coronavirus Lending Options page for more information, including how to apply for Loan Forgiveness.

Did you miss out on the Paycheck Protection Program?  Don’t forget about the Employee Retention Credit! See below.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), enacted on March 27, 2020, is designed to encourage Eligible Employers to keep employees on their payroll, despite experiencing economic hardship related to COVID-19. More information on loans from the Small Business Administration and the State of New Jersey can be found on our Coronavirus Lending Options page.

Employee Retention Credit

If you've not taken advantage of the Paycheck Protection Program, you may be eligible for the Employee Retention Credit program.

The Employee Retention Credit is a fully refundable tax credit for employers equal to 50 percent of qualified wages (including allocable qualified health plan expenses) that Eligible Employers pay their employees. This Employee Retention Credit applies to qualified wages paid after March 12, 2020, and before January 1, 2021. The maximum amount of qualified wages taken into account with respect to each employee for all calendar quarters is $10,000, so that the maximum credit for an Eligible Employer for qualified wages paid to any employee is $5,000.

Eligible Employers for the purposes of the Employee Retention Credit are those that carry on a trade or business during calendar year 2020, including a tax-exempt organization, that either:

• Fully or partially suspends operation during any calendar quarter in 2020 due to orders from an appropriate governmental authority limiting commerce, travel, or group meetings (for commercial, social, religious, or other purposes) due to COVID-19; or
• Experiences a significant decline in gross receipts during the calendar quarter.

Note: Governmental employers are not Eligible Employers for the Employee Retention Credit. Also, Self-employed individuals are not eligible for this credit for their self-employment services or earnings. For details on this program go to the full IRS FAQ.

Your FDIC Coverage

Even in these unique times, FDIC coverage remains in effect on your applicable deposit accounts to at least $250,000. See our FDIC Coverage page for more details.