Attorney General Shapiro Launches ”˜PA CARE Package’ Consumer Relief Initiative During COVID Pandemic

March 30, 2020 | Topic: Consumers

PNC jumpstarts program by being first major financial institution committing to Pennsylvania’s efforts

HARRISBURG – Today, Attorney General Josh Shapiro is announcing the launch of ”˜PA CARE Package’, Pennsylvania’s consumer relief initiative. ”˜PA CARE Package’ is focused on partnering with banks and financial institutions across the Commonwealth to ensure Pennsylvania consumers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible for economic relief.

This Pennsylvania program will implement and expand on the recently-passed CARES Act to protect Pennsylvania consumers.

Under the ”˜PA CARE Package’ initiative, banks and financial institutions will be working with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection to offer additional important protections for consumers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’ve always stood up for Pennsylvania consumers and that’s why we reached out to PNC and asked them to do more during this crisis. I commend PNC, the Commonwealth’s largest bank, for stepping up for Pennsylvanians and we will continue to push other banks and financial institutions in our Commonwealth to make these same commitments, said Attorney General Shapiro”‹.”‹

“We are going to beat this crisis, but to do so Pennsylvanians and our small businesses need to know their rights and utilize the resources available to them during this time of need. Pennsylvanians need to stay focused on keeping their families safe and healthy and these efforts by banks and financial institutions will provide important relief.” said Attorney General Shapiro”‹.”‹

“I applaud the work of Attorney General Shapiro and the extraordinary effort already being made by the financial services industry throughout Pennsylvania to accommodate borrowers and customers during these difficult times,” said Governor Wolf. “We need to provide relief for Pennsylvanians, and my administration including the Department of Banking and Securities will work with Attorney General Shapiro to help people who are struggling at this difficult time.”

To commit to the ”˜PA CARE Package’ initiative, financial institutions and banks must offer additional assistance to Pennsylvanians facing financial hardship due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Expansion of small and medium business loan availability
  • 90-day grace period for mortgages (at least)
  • 90-day grace period for other consumer loans such as auto loans
  • 90-day window for relief from fees and charges such as late, overdraft fees
  • Foreclosure, eviction, or motor vehicle repossession moratorium for 60 days
  • No adverse credit reporting for accessing relief on consumer loans

PNC, the largest bank headquartered in Pennsylvania, is the first to commit to the ”˜PA CARE Package’ initiative.

“PNC is proud to join the Commonwealth in pledging our continued commitment to providing relief and support to our customers who are facing financial hardship due to impacts of the coronavirus,” said PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Chairman, President and CEO William S. Demchak, “We are actively working with those affected, providing a variety of solutions that make the most sense for meeting their particular needs. In addition, we are activating the emergency relief programs included in the recently enacted federal CARES Act. Now more than ever, it is critical that we come together to support our customers, one another and the communities we serve.”

PNC Bank customers experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 should visit the dedicated webpage that PNC Bank has established to assist impacted customers in seeking financial relief.   Customers can access this dedicated web page by going to  https://www.pnc.com and clicking on the  Important Coronavirus Update  header on the page.   In many cases, impacted customers can request relief simply by completing an online form, and impacted customers are encouraged to do so.   Consumers should only use PNC’s official website to access this information and not use websites offered by third parties purporting to connect consumers with their bank or benefits under the CARES Act. Customers may also contact PNC’s Customer Care Center toll-free at  1-888-PNC-BANK.   The Customer Care Center is open  Monday-Friday 7:00 am  – 10:00 pm (EDT), and Saturday &  Sunday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (EDT).

For more information on ”˜PA CARE Package’, visit the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Coronavirus webpage at www.attorneygeneral.gov/COVID19.

# # #