As the words “return to normal” and “post-COVID” enter our vocabulary, they reveal the real-world after-effects of the pandemic. Experts expect the ensuing impact of the coronavirus to affect everything from major industries to transportation, to society’s approach to work and education.

Epic River has been a premier lending innovator for over a decade. Through the Platform@EpicRiver, community banks and credit unions have been able to better serve their communities through a variety of online lending programs. Our latest solution focused on driving fee income, Notary@EpicRiver, speeds up the lending process and leverages existing on-staff notaries.

Over the past several months, your team may have been thrown into unchartered territory, rapidly learning to navigate telehealth, payment delays, and coronavirus claims as well as payor changes and inconsistencies.

It seems the forced moratorium on medical bill litigation that accompanied the coronavirus shut down over the spring has ended. Recently, the number of hospitals and patients suing one another has increased. Sick and injured people shouldn’t have to choose between buying groceries or paying their bills. On the other hand, healthcare providers not compensated for services may be forced into bankruptcy. At last count, 42 hospitals closed or filed for bankruptcy this year, with more expected in the coming months.

Waiting to see what Congress does about PPP loan forgiveness is a risky choice for financial institutions. Large banks and credit unions are already communicating with their borrowers about how to prepare for loan forgiveness and are going to start processing applications in a couple of weeks. Borrowers are getting impatient -- and there will be tax implications for carrying loans into 2021. The SBA is ready, your borrowers are ready, we have a portal to streamline the whole process for you. Let’s get started.

Great job! You’ve helped your members and borrowers access the capital they need to stay solvent through the last several months.

Here is a recording our webinar about how educating your customers can reduce your risks. During this recording, you will learn:

Here is a recording of a discussion between three experts in PPP loan forgiveness. During this recording, you will learn:

Congress reconvenes to discuss the bill introduced early in June that would drastically simplify forgiveness for PPP loans under $150K, by automatically qualifying them for forgiveness. There are three ways this decision could go, make sure your financial institution is ready!

We’re all in this together is the mantra of the COVID-19 era. Cable companies are giving premium channels to quarantined customers, car dealerships are deferring payments for months at a time, and free delivery is standard for many restaurants these days.