Banking with us during Covid-19

Supports for our customers to manage your finances

We have a range of supports in place for our customers who have been negatively impacted by Covid-19 and we have been reviewing how we are delivering our service to you to continue to make banking easier in these times. We fully understand that you might be worried about your financial situation and for those impacted by Covid-19 you can contact your Business Partner or the Business Support Team on 1800 804 414 who will discuss your options with you.

Important Update On Payment Breaks

If you have been financially impacted by Covid-19 and feel you need a payment break please get in touch with us as soon as possible. The European Banking Authority (EBA) deadline for applications is 30th September 2020. This means that all applications must be received by KBC on or before the 30th September 2020 so please don’t delay.  To discuss further please contact your Business Partner or the Business Support Team on 1800 804 414.

The Banking Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI) and the member banks have prepared this handy guide to payment breaks (PDF, 5MB) which you may find useful.

As a KBC customer how are we supporting you?

We have a range of financial measures to support customers who are facing financial difficulties as a result of Covid-19.

These include:
  • Payment breaks for SME business customers impacted by Covid-19.  

  • Free contactless: in respect of card payments and for people concerned about handling cash payments – across all our Business current accounts all contactless payments are free for domestic and eurozone transactions.

  • We have increased the contactless payment limit from €30.00 to €50.00. Banks, retailers and technology companies have worked together in order to facilitate the limit increase in response to Covid-19 and this increase will help limit the number of cash transactions. The new limit applies to all contactless transactions made in store with a physical debit or credit card across most essential retail outlets in Ireland.

  • Digital Wallets: KBC would like to remind customers that it has a range of free contactless ‘tap and go’ payments for purchases over €50, offering digital wallets from Apple Pay™, Google Pay™, Fitbit Pay™, Garmin Pay™ and Wena Pay™.  

  • Customers can contact your Business Partner or our dedicated Business Support Team on 1800 804 414 to discuss any financial concerns  or questions regarding Covid-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to apply for a payment break?

If you have been financially impacted by Covid-19 and feel you need a payment break please get in touch with us as soon as possible. The European Banking Authority (EBA) deadline for applications is 30th September 2020. This means that all applications must be received by KBC on or before the 30th September 2020 so please don’t delay. Please contact your Business Partner or the Business Support Team on 1800 804 414 and we will discuss your options with you.

My Business has been impacted by Covid-19 and I will not be able to pay my Business Loan.

We are committed to helping our customers who are impacted by COVID-19 and have solutions in place to help.  Depending on your circumstances and type of business loan, we can offer you a moratorium or interest-only payment arrangement. Please contact your Business Partner or the Business Support Team on 1800 804 414 and we will discuss your options with you.

If my business needs a payment arrangement will I have to apply in writing? / provide additional information?

We have put a process in place whereby you can apply for a payment break over the phone and, in most cases, no supporting documentation will be required. When we have agreed an initial three month payment break we will work with you during that three month period to assess whether a further payment break is needed. Payment breaks are now available up to 6 months for customers impacted by Covid-19. Please contact your Business Partner or the Business Support Team on 1800 804 414 for further details. 

If my business needs a payment arrangement will I have to provide additional documentation?

We have put a process in place whereby you can apply for a payment break over the phone and no supporting documentation will be required. When we have agreed an initial three month payment break we will work with you during that three month period to assess whether a further payment break is needed. Payment breaks are now available up to 6 months for customers impacted by Covid-19.

Please contact your Business Partner or the Business Support Team on 1800 804 414 for further details.

My business might be affected by Covid-19 and may not be able to pay the scheduled loan repayment

We would encourage you to continue to maintain repayments if you are able to do so.  But if your circumstances change, we will be able to help you. Please contact us your Business Partner or the Business Support Team on 1800 804 414 and we will discuss your options with you.

If I take a payment break, how will this affect my repayments?

Your monthly repayments will be reduced during the arrangement.  After the arrangement ends, there may be an increase in your monthly repayments due.  Please contact your Business Partner or the Business Support Team on 1800 804 414 who will be able to provide further details.   

My Direct Debit has already left my account. Can I get it back?

Please contact your business partner or the Business Support Team on 1800 804 414 to discuss
 

What if my business needs more than three month’s payment break?

Where we have agreed an initial three month payment break we will work with you during that three month period to establish if a further three months payment break is required. At the end of the payment break, depending on your circumstances we may be able to extend the term of the loan by the number of months of which you availed of the payment break. We can discuss this with you as you come to the end of your arrangement.

You can also contact your business partner or the Business Support Team on 1800 804 414 to discuss. .

What impact will this have on ICB/CCR/Credit Rating?

For the duration of the Covid-19 related payment break, your account record with the ICB and /or the CCR will remain static and will not be adversely affected, as announced by the Minister for Finance and the Banking and Payments Federation (BPFI).

I have not found the answers I need on this page. What should I do?

If you still have unanswered questions about the options available to you, please contact your business partner or the Business Support Team on 1800 804 414 who will be happy to help you. 

Fraud and COVID-19:

Fraudsters will continue to exploit the current situation to facilitate various types of fraud and cybercrime. To protect yourself from these threats please continue to be vigilant with phishing emails received or emails with attachments that may contain malware.

Be alert to suspicious phone calls, texts or emails from anyone claiming to be from the bank with a message about Coronavirus. Trusted organisations will NEVER ask you for your full PIN or password, or ask you to move money from your account.

COVID-19 Planning and Response

We have an internal working group in place to ensure continuity of service for our customers and we will continue to monitor the situation and adhere to advice from the HSE and relevant Government Departments.

We are also working closely with our industry representative body BPFI (Banking & Payments Federation Ireland, who are engaging with industry stakeholders, the HSE and relevant Government Departments on a coordinated plan in response to the risks associated with any potential further escalation of COVID-19 in Ireland.

Most of all we would ask our customers to stay safe and take care
 
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