Consumer Resources

Restaurant Revitalization Fund

April 29, 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open.

SBA will begin accepting applications via the application portal on Monday, May 3 at 12 p.m. EDT. The application portal will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted.

Eligible businesses include:

• Restaurants Food stands, food trucks, food carts
• Caterers Bars, saloons, lounges, taverns
• Bakeries
• Breweries
• Wineries
• + More

In preparation, qualifying applicants should familiarize themselves with the application process in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient application.

Follow the steps below:

• Register for an account in advance at restaurants.sba.gov starting Friday, April 30 at 9 a.m. EDT. If you are working with Square or Toast, you do not need to register.
• Review the sample application, updated program guide and cross-program eligibility chart on SBA COVID-19 relief options.

For more information, please visit sba.gov/restaurants.

Economic Impact Payments: Guidance for Customers

March 12, 2021

With the passing of the American Rescue Plan Act, the Internal Revenue Service has begun processing ACH files for $1,400-per-person economic impact payments, which will start reaching Americans beginning as soon as Saturday, March 13th.

PS Bank is taking proactive steps to respond to the needs of individual and business customers directly affected by the pandemic, and we stand ready to help customers get access to the government’s economic impact payments quickly, securely and safely.

The fastest way get money to Americans in a safe and secure manner is through direct deposit to either a bank account or a reloadable prepaid debit card. You can use the buttons below to watch for your direct deposit via Online Banking or our mobile app available for Apple or Android. If you’re not currently using these PS Bank free tools, please sign up to view your economic impact payment transaction.

You can expect to receive your Economic Impact Payment in the same way you received the January stimulus – either by direct deposit, printed check or prepaid card. Please pay careful attention to your mail in coming weeks if you received the January stimulus payment by check or prepaid card.

The IRS offers the “Get My Payment” resource to track payment progress as well as answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

Your PS Bank Team is available to assist you. To have your questions or concerns addressed, please email [email protected].

Easy One-Page Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application Now Available

January 26, 2021

The U.S. Small Business Administration has released a new one-page application for borrowers with Paycheck Protection Program loans of $150,000 or less. To apply for forgiveness, please download SBA Form 3508S by clicking the application button below.

Once filled out, please return your forgiveness application to your lender.

If you do not have a designated lender, please send completed documents to [email protected] with your business name in the subject of the email as well as your name and contact phone number.

One-Page Forgiveness Application

Paycheck Protection Program Guidance & Applications

January 12, 2021

First Draw Application

Second Draw Application

The Small Business Administration on January 8th released updated borrower and lender guaranty applications for both first-draw and second-draw Paycheck Protection Program loans. PS Bank will begin accepting applications for both first-draw and second-draw loans starting on Wednesday, January 13th.

The updated forms reflect congressionally authorized changes in the program, including eligibility for certain 501(c)(6) organizations, housing coops and media organizations and the lender requirement to confirm payroll costs by reviewing the applicant’s payroll documentation. The second-draw loan form requires the borrower to certify the decrease in gross receipts required under the statute reauthorizing the PPP and defines how gross receipts are calculated.

First Draw Applicants: If you are applying for your first PPP, please submit the application found in the first button above.

Second Draw Applicants: If you are applying for your second PPP, return the borrower application available in the second button above to your lender.

If you do not have a designated lender, please return via email to [email protected]. In your email, please include your name, business name, and contact phone number.

A borrower is generally eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan if the borrower:

• Previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will or has used the full amount only for authorized uses;
• Has no more than 300 employees; and
• Can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.

Other key PPP updates include:

• PPP borrowers can set their PPP loan’s covered period to be any length between 8 and 24 weeks to best meet their business needs;
• PPP loans will cover additional expenses, including operations expenditures, property damage costs, supplier costs, and worker protection expenditures;
• The Program’s eligibility is expanded to include 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, destination marketing organizations, among other types of organizations;
• The PPP provides greater flexibility for seasonal employees;
• Additional gross income qualification for farmers;
• Certain existing PPP borrowers can request to modify their First Draw PPP Loan amount; and
• Certain existing PPP borrowers are now eligible to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.

Economic Impact Payments: Guidance for Customers

December 30, 2020

The Internal Revenue Service has begun processing ACH files for the $600-per-person economic impact payments, with an effective date of Jan. 4, 2021, the Treasury Department said Tuesday. Over the first three weeks of January, over 140 million Americans should receive payment.

PS Bank is taking proactive steps to respond to the needs of individual and business customers directly affected by the pandemic, and we stand ready to help customers get access to the government’s economic impact payments quickly, securely and safely.

The fastest way get money to Americans in a safe and secure manner is through direct deposit to either a bank account or a reloadable prepaid debit card. You can use the buttons below to watch for your direct deposit via Online Banking or our mobile app available for Apple or Android. If you’re not currently using these PS Bank free tools, please sign up to view your economic impact payment transaction.

The government is expected to make some payments to recipients that have not provided their bank account information for electronic payments, through Treasury-issued prepaid cards or printed checks. These cards or checks will be sent via the U.S. Postal Service. Please pay careful attention to your mail in coming weeks if you received the April stimulus payment by prepaid card.

The IRS offers the “Get My Payment” resource to track payment progress as well as answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

Your PS Bank Team is available to assist you. To have your questions or concerns addressed, please email [email protected].

PPP Loan Forgiveness Resources

PS Bank continues to accept submission of PPP forgiveness applications for existing PPP loans using the forms and links below. Please contact your lender or [email protected] for assistance.

Links to instructions and forms for loans over $50,000:

SBA Form 3508EZ Instructions
SBA Form 3508EZ Forgiveness Application
SBA Form 3508 Instructions
SBA Form 3508 Forgiveness Application

If your PPP Loan was $50,000 or less:

SBA Form 3508S Instructions
SBA Form 3508S Forgiveness Application

The current rules require a borrower to submit documentation substantiating the calculations reflected in the Forgiveness Application to its lender including:

Payroll Documentation:

• For the selected Covered Period, bank account statements or 3rdparty payroll service reports
• 941 reports
• State & local employee wage reports
• Health insurance & retirement paid
• Account statements and receipts; or invoices and cancelled checks

Payroll Documentation for Sole Proprietors:

• Bank account statement documenting the amount of cash compensation paid with proof of transfer of payment from business to self

Non-Payroll Documentation:

• Mortgage Interest
• Account Statements
• February 2020 and Covered Period and one month afterwards; or
• Amortization schedule and receipts/cancelled checks
• Rent/Lease
• Account Statement
• February 2020 and Covered Period and one month afterwards; or
• Lease agreement and receipts/cancelled checks
• Utilities
• Account statements
• Invoices February 2020 and Covered Period
• Receipts/Cancelled Checks/Account Statements

Please submit your documentation to your lender.

PS Bank Lending Team:

Janice Bevacqua - [email protected]
Jeffrey Buckingham - [email protected]
Joshua Edwards - [email protected]
Thomas Hendershot - [email protected]
William Joseph - [email protected]
Paul Walsh - [email protected]

SBA Borrowers: Beware Email Phishing Scams

The U.S. Small Business Administration is sending a cyber warning alert to loan applicants seeking federal aid in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Email phishing campaigns where malicious actors are impersonating the SBA and its Office of Disaster Assistance to collect personally identifiable information (PII) for fraudulent purposes have surfaced.

The SBA is particularly concerned about scam emails targeting applicants of the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program asking them to verify their accounts using a third-party online platform to collect personally identifiable information.

It should be noted that any email communication from the SBA will come from email accounts ending in sba.gov, and nothing more. Loan applicants are being advised to look out for email scams and phishing attacks using the SBA logo. These may be attempts to obtain PII, access personal banking accounts, or install ransomware or malware.

Applicants are also advised to help protect their identity and privacy by never providing their full name, date of birth, Social Security Number, address, phone numbers, email addresses, case numbers, or any other PII in public-facing comments or responses to third-party emails.

The SBA will not use a third-party platform to:

• Actively seek PII
• Search a third-party platform for or by PII, or
• "Follow" public users proactively without a waiver.

Borrowers who are in the process of applying for an SBA loan and receive email correspondence asking for PII are cautioned to ensure that any application numbers referenced in the email are consistent with their actual application number. Loan applicants and borrowers are also advised not to click on any links or open any attachments, which are often used in phishing email scams.

Additionally, federal agencies that provide disaster recovery assistance will never ask for a fee or payment to apply for financial assistance, and government employees do not charge for any recovery assistance provided.

An SBA logo on a web page does not guarantee the information is either accurate or endorsed by the SBA. Loan applicants and borrowers should be vigilant in protecting their personal information and data assets. Visit https://www.sba.gov/COVIDfraudalert to learn more about scams and fraud schemes.

If you suspect an email is associated with a fraud scam targeting the SBA, report it to the Office of Inspector General’s Hotline at 800-767-0385 or online at https://www.sba.gov/COVIDfraudalert.

Loan applicants who have questions about SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program may call the Disaster Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or send an email to [email protected].

Paycheck Protection Program Extended to August 8, 2020

July 1, 2020

The United States Senate has passed an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses. With funding left over, the program will continue to accept applications until August 8, 2020. PS Bank is an eligible SBA lender and can help you through this process.

This program provides cash-flow assistance through 100% federally guaranteed loans to eligible employers who maintain their payroll through this emergency. Eligible employers are generally considered to be those small businesses, including nonprofits, sole proprietorships, independent contractors, and eligible self-employed individuals, with less than 500 employees.

PPP loan money used for payroll in accordance with guidelines do not have to be repaid.

Eligible small businesses may receive up to 2.5 times average monthly payroll costs as calculated by applicable guidelines. Payroll costs are defined to include salaries, wages, other similar compensation, vacation, sick and other qualified leaves, group health care benefits, retirement benefits, and state or local tax assessed on employee compensation (also subject to certain limits). Loan proceeds may be used to pay payroll costs, health insurance, interest on mortgage obligations, rent, utilities, interest on other debt, and certain other allowable uses. Most importantly, these loans may be eligible for forgiveness.

Please feel free to reach out to your PS Bank lender or use our inquiry form so we can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program by clicking below.

Click Here to Submit Your Info

New EZ and Revised Forgiveness Applications for the Paycheck Protection Program

June 19, 2020

The Paycheck Protection Program program includes the process of application for forgiveness. If you have received PS Bank funds as part of the Paycheck Protection Program, please read and review the following information very carefully as many revisions have been instituted in connection with the recently passed PPP Flexibility Act of 2020.

The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, recently posted a revised, borrower-friendly Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application implementing the PPP Flexibility Act of 2020, signed into law by President Trump on June 5, 2020.

In addition to revising the full forgiveness application, SBA also published a new EZ version of the forgiveness application that applies to borrowers that:

• Are self-employed and have no employees; OR
• Did not reduce the salaries or wages of their employees by more than 25%, and did not reduce the number or hours of their employees; OR
• Experienced reductions in business activity as a result of health directives related to COVID-19, and did not reduce the salaries or wages of their employees by more than 25%. The EZ application requires fewer calculations and less documentation for eligible borrowers. Details regarding the applicability of these provisions are available in the instructions to the new EZ application form.

Both applications give borrowers the option of using the original 8-week covered period (if their loan was made before June 5, 2020) or an extended 24-week covered period. These changes will result in a more efficient process and make it easier for businesses to realize full forgiveness of their PPP loan.

Click here to view the EZ Forgiveness Application.

Click here to view the Full Forgiveness Application.

SBA guidance recommends PPP borrowers consult with their accounting professionals and payroll processors for assistance with gathering the required information and choosing and completing the appropriate Forgiveness Application.

Clarks Summit Branch Lobby to Open Friday

June 4, 2020

Effective Friday, June 5, the lobby in our Clarks Summit branch will be reopened and will be abiding by all CDC and PA Department of Health guidelines.

Each branch lobby has been labeled to promote appropriate social distancing, plexiglass has been installed to separate employees from customers, and masks are required to enter. PS Bank is also reserving the first business hour each day for customers who are 60 years of age or older, and those who are considered high-risk.

While branches are working to accommodate customers in-person, distancing is still recommended. Our drive-up windows and online resources continue to serve customers as well. To access Mobile Banking, bill pay, mobile deposit and more, please click here.­­­­

Locations in Wyoming County to Open Tuesday

May 22, 2020

Effective Tuesday, May 26, our lobbies in Tunkhannock and Factoryville will be reopened and will be abiding by all CDC and PA Department of Health guidelines.

Each branch lobby has been labeled to promote appropriate social distancing, plexiglass has been installed to separate employees from customers, and masks are required to enter. PS Bank is also reserving the first business hour each day for customers who are 60 years of age or older, and those who are considered high-risk.

While branches are working to accommodate customers in-person, distancing is still recommended. Our drive-up windows and online resources continue to serve customers as well. To access Mobile Banking, Bill Pay, Mobile Deposit and more, please click here.

Locations in Bradford, Sullivan, and Susquehanna Counties Now Open

May 19, 2020

PS Bank has reopened our lobbies at several locations for your banking convenience. Branches including Wyalusing, North Towanda, Wysox, Dushore and Sayre are open and abiding by all CDC and PA Department of Health guidelines.

Each branch lobby has been labeled to promote appropriate social distancing, plexiglass has been installed to separate employees from customers, and masks are required to enter. PS Bank is also reserving the first business hour each day for customers who are 60 years of age or older, and those who are considered high-risk.

While branches are working to accommodate customers in-person, distancing is still recommended. Our drive-up windows and online resources continue to serve customers as well. To access Mobile Banking, Bill Pay, Mobile Deposit and more, please click here.

Ready to Process Paycheck Protection Program Loans

April 21, 2020

PS Bank is prepared for the second round of the Paycheck Protection Program funding. Our team is accepting submissions and we are able to process PPP loans quickly. We are eager to help the businesses in the communities we serve.

Please use the button below to get started and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.

Click Here to Submit Your Info

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us by emailing [email protected].

Update & Response to CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program

April 16, 2020

Since March 30, 2020, PS Bank has been accepting inquiries and processing loan applications from businesses in our service area for the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program. At this time, funds allocated under this program are currently exhausted. However, we encourage customers to continue providing us information through our inquiry form so that we can have your request ready for submission if/when additional funding becomes available.

More details regarding the Paycheck Protection Program and other programs can be found by reviewing the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship’s Guide to the CARES Act.

Feel free to reach out to your PS Bank lender or use our inquiry form below so we can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program.

If you have already submitted your information to us, please know that our team will reach out when more information and directions are readily available.

Click Here to Submit Your Info

We appreciate your business and your patience at this time.

Important Information About Your Economic Impact Payment

April 15, 2020

As distribution of Economic Impact Payments begin, PS Bank is committed to keeping customers informed of how they can access their payment as soon as possible. Please review the information below.

U.S. residents will receive the Economic Impact Payment of $1,200 for individual or head of household filers, and $2,400 for married filing jointly if they are not a dependent of another taxpayer and have a work eligible Social Security Number with adjusted gross income up to:

• $75,000 for individuals
• $112,500 for head of household filers
• $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns

Taxpayers will receive a reduced payment if their AGI is between:

• $75,000 and $99,000 if their filing status was single or married filing separately
• $112,500 and $136,500 for head of household
• $150,000 and $198,000 if their filing status was married filing jointly

The amount of the reduced payment will be based upon the taxpayers specific adjusted gross income.

Eligible retirees and recipients of Social Security, Railroad Retirement, disability or veterans' benefits as well as taxpayers who do not make enough money to normally have to file a tax return will receive a payment. This also includes those who have no income, as well as those whose income comes entirely from certain benefit programs, such as Supplemental Security Income benefits.

Retirees who receive either Social Security retirement or Railroad Retirement benefits will also receive payments automatically.

If you filed Federal Income Tax in 2018 or 2019, click here to check your payment status.

If you did not file Federal Income Tax in 2018 or 2019, click here to enter payment information.

Failure to receive payment: For security reasons, the IRS plans to mail a letter about the economic impact payment to the taxpayer’s last known address within 15 days after the payment is paid. The letter will provide information on how the payment was made and how to report any failure to receive the payment. If a taxpayer is unsure they’re receiving a legitimate letter, the IRS urges taxpayers to visit IRS.gov first to protect against scam artists.

Important IRS information regarding the Economic Impact Payment - Click to Visit the Information Center.

All information provided above is sourced from the Internal Revenue Service.

Assisting Customers with the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), was signed into law on Friday March 27, 2020. One of the many provisions of the CARES Act is the Paycheck Protection Program. This program will provide cash-flow assistance through 100% federally guaranteed loans to eligible employers who maintain their payroll through this emergency. Eligible employers are generally considered to be those small businesses, including nonprofits, sole proprietorships, independent contractors, and eligible self-employed individuals, with less than 500 employees.

Eligible small businesses may receive up to 2.5 times average monthly payroll costs as calculated by applicable guidelines. Payroll costs are defined to include salaries, wages, other similar compensation, vacation, sick and other qualified leaves, group heath care benefits, retirement benefits, and state or local tax assessed on employee compensation (also subject to certain limits). Loan proceeds may be used to pay payroll costs, health insurance, interest on mortgage obligations, rent, utilities, interest on other debt, and certain other allowable uses. Most importantly, these loans may be eligible for forgiveness.

PS Bank is an eligible SBA lender and can help you through this process. Final SBA guidelines are expected to be received soon, and we anticipate a tremendous amount of interest in this program. If you would like to have PS Bank help you through this process, we ask that you follow the link below and register your company name and certain other information so that we can address this as quickly as possible when the program opens. We anticipate this money will go very quickly so we will attempt to gather information beforehand that we believe may be necessary to expedite the process.

More details regarding this and other programs can be found by reviewing the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship’s Guide to the CARES Act.

Please feel free to reach out to your PS Bank lender or use our inquiry form so we can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program by clicking below.

Click Here to Submit Your Info

Stay strong! We’re here for you!

PS Bank

PS Bank Open for Business

March 20, 2020

PS Bank is committed to serving customers as an essential business in the communities we serve. We are a strong and viable community bank and are prepared to help you. Our COVID-19 plan will remain in effect until further notice. All branches with drive-thru access will continue to serve customers during regular business hours and in-person appointments can be made by contacting your branch location.

Effective immediately, PS Bank is making the following assistance available to our customers:

• Increasing ATM daily cash withdrawal limits
  
• Easing credit terms for new loans
  
• Offering loan payment accommodations to existing affected borrowers to include interest only payments and/or deferred principal and interest payments to help you through these difficult times.
  
• Customers are encouraged to use Online or Mobile Banking options during this extraordinary time

Our team members are available to discuss assistance options during this challenging time. Contact us at (570) 746-1011 or (866) 746-1011 or by emailing us at [email protected].

PS Bank understands the difficult times you are going through right now. We are committed to helping you.

PS Bank to Limit Branch Access Due to COVID-19

March 17, 2020

After careful consideration, guidance and recommendations regarding the Coronavirus pandemic, PS Bank will limit access to our bank locations effective March 18th until further notice.

Branch access will be limited to drive-thru windows and by appointment only.

Our Dushore office will remain open for appointments, but we strongly encourage PS Bank customers to utilize alternative services.

Important Information:

• Drive-thru service at available locations will continue to operate based on regular banking hours.
• Please review our website for information on contacting your branch location.
• Please visit our Locations/Hours page for a complete list of offices, phone numbers and drive-thru hours.

Bank with PS Bank 24/7:

• PS Bank offers Online Banking, Mobile Banking, Mobile Deposit, Online Bill Payment, Telephone Banking, online mortgage applications, night depository and more.
• Many of the transactions customers need to perform can be done online or by phone.
• ATMs are always available. Please visit our ATM Locations page for a complete list of ATM locations.

Our staff are still available to serve you when branch access is limited. During regular business hours, you can still contact your branch manager, loan officer, or our other staff who can assist you with a financial transaction.

If you are a business customer or individual that is or may be adversely financially impacted by this situation, please feel free to reach out to your local branch manager or commercial lender so we can provide assistance as necessary. We are working diligently to be able to support relief to customers who may experience financial difficulty at this time.

We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we take important steps necessary to ensure the safety of our customers and employees. We are committed to working through these difficult times with you and our communities.

A Letter from Our President & CEO Regarding COVID-19 Preparedness

March 12, 2020

To our valued customers,

At PS Bank, we value the health and safety of our customers and employees. In light of recent concerns about COVID-19 (Coronavirus), we are monitoring the outbreak and are committed to following CDC recommendations to keep you safe. Our institution wants customers to be assured that all necessary precautions are being taken to reduce risks to the health and safety of our customers while sustaining continued business operations. We have assembled a team and continue to assess the situation to ensure all necessary steps are being taken.

The health and safety of our staff and customers are of utmost importance. Our staff is working diligently to do whatever is necessary to keep people safe. PS Bank has a contingency plan in place for an event of this nature. We have a great team that has already begun the process of mitigating risks to our staff and customers. Our senior leaders and management team are continuously monitoring the news so we can stay informed and prepared. This event is still developing, and we intend to adjust business practices as necessary.

As precautionary measures, all locations are currently practicing the following:

• Social Distancing – Avoid handshakes and direct physical contact with each other.
• Good Hygiene - Frequent hand washing, utilization of antibacterial hand sanitizer, use tissues and cough into elbows rather than hands.
• Keep Surfaces Clean – Use antibacterial wipes and cleaning products to clean all surfaces.
• Stay Home if Sick – Employees who are sick or have a fever are asked to stay home to avoid spreading any illness in our locations.

If you are a business customer or individual that is or may be adversely financially impacted by this situation, please feel free to reach out to your local branch manager or commercial lender so we can provide you assistance as necessary.

Business continuity is important to us and branches remain open as scheduled at this time. In an effort to reduce person-to-person contact, we ask that customers consider utilizing our services such as Online and Mobile Banking, phone services and drive-through tellers when possible. Our staff can assist you with many of your banking needs over the phone by calling 866-746-1011, your branch manager, or emailing us at [email protected].

We are here for you and our community in this time of uncertainty. Through all this we remain committed to providing you with a superior community banking experience.

Thank you,

Anthony Gabello

President & CEO