More than 70,000 mortgage payment deferrals already processed with 99% approved

TORONTO, April 3, 2020 /CNW/ - In response to COVID-19, TD has made unprecedented efforts to support Canadians during this difficult period, providing deferrals, credit relief and other solutions to tens of thousands of Canadians in financial need. Today TD is announcing more relief through our TD Helps program by reducing credit card interest rates by 50% for customers facing financial hardship.

"Over the last few weeks, everyone across TD has been coming together in extraordinary ways to support Canadians through the crisis," said Teri Currie, Group Head, Personal Banking. "We continue to stand by our customers, by making credit available, providing access to critical banking services across all of our channels. Most Canadians pay their credit card on time, but we know that right now some families are facing financial hardship and are in need of some additional relief."

Through TD Helps, almost 30,000 customers facing financial hardship have reached out to us for personalized advice and relief over the past three weeks, including deferrals on payments of credit cards, personal loans and mortgages, debt consolidation into lower interest loans, and other measures. The TD Helps program has been in place since the 2008 financial crisis to help customers experiencing financial hardship. In recent weeks, they have been overwhelmed with calls - 10 times more than normal - and colleagues from other areas of the bank have been redeployed to provide advice and help to those customers in urgent need of assistance.

Today TD is announcing more relief through our TD Helps program by reducing credit card interest rates by 50% for customers facing financial hardship. Customers experiencing financial hardship and in need of credit card relief can visit td.com/covid19.

For customers directly impacted by COVID-19 and in need of payment deferrals, new online self-serve applications are available at td.com/covid19 for:

• Mortgage payments
• Credit card payments
• Auto loans payments with TD Auto Finance
• Business banking principal payments

Since March 22^nd, more than 70,000 mortgage payment deferrals have been processed and nearly all of them were approved.

TD is supporting relief programs provided by the Government of Canada such as the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit, by actively helping customers get enabled on direct deposit so they can receive their benefits as quickly as possible, and with upcoming programs to help support small and medium sized businesses through this crisis, including relief and providing access to credit.

"We know that the need for financial assistance is growing, and that's why we will continue to evolve our response, working with the Canadian Government to find solutions that help give Canadians financial relief and access to credit when they need it the most," added Currie.

More Ways we are Stepping Up to Help

To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, TD has implemented physical distancing, screening methods, enhanced cleaning, and reduced hours in opened locations.  TD is actively urging customers to not come in to our branches and manage their banking from home or at ATMs. To help customers continue to manage their finances outside of our branches, TD has been helping them get enabled for online and mobile banking, so that it is easy to pay bills, check balances and have payments directly deposited in their accounts. For essential workers, seniors and those who are more vulnerable, TD has been making special arrangements to assist them with urgent matters that need to be addressed in person.

"The overwhelming majority of our customers have shown patience and kindness towards our colleagues as they adapt to this new and difficult situation. I would like to thank our amazing branch colleagues and contact centre teams for everything they are doing to help our customers get through this in what is an extremely challenging circumstances,"  said Currie.

TD is helping the most vulnerable in our communities by collaborating with the Canadian Association of Community Health Centres and through the TD Ready Commitment providing $1 million in funding to help front-line community health centres meet local needs. 

To be there to serve Canadians, it means that many TD colleagues continue to come in to work to serve our customers, and for this, the bank has made changes to branches, offices and contact centres for their safety and provided them with additional compensation. And, over the last few weeks TD has continued to pay those who are unable to work. Earlier this week, TD Group President and CEO, Bharat Masrani announced to TD's 85,000 colleagues that there will be no job losses in 2020 as a result of COVID-19.

Low-Interest and Low-Cost Product Options Available

• TD offers low interest rate credit options, including the TD Emerald Flex Rate Visa, for a $25 annual fee, with interest rate of TD Prime + 4.50% up to TD Prime + 12.75% on purchases and cash advance.
• The TD Minimum Account offers a chequing account with minimal banking needs for a $3.95 monthly fee, or free for seniors (60 years or older) collecting Guaranteed Income Supplement, Registered Disability Savings Plan beneficiaries, students enrolled full-time at a college or university and under the age of majority in their province of residence.
• A TD Personal Line of Credit is a borrowing option to finance everyday purchases as well as larger purchases or consolidate debt and save money on interest compared to higher interest credit products.

About TD Canada Trust

TD Canada Trust offers personal and business banking to more than 11.5 million customers. We provide a wide range of products and services from chequing and savings accounts, to credit cards, mortgages and business banking, to credit protection and travel medical insurance, as well as advice on managing everyday finances. TD Canada Trust makes banking comfortable with award-winning service and convenience through 24/7 mobile, internet, telephone and ATM banking, as well as in over 1,100 branches, with convenient hours to serve customers better. For more information, please visit: tdcanadatrust.com. TD Canada Trust is the Canadian retail bank of TD Bank Group, the sixth largest bank in North America. Mutual Funds Representatives with TD Investment Services Inc. distribute mutual funds at TD Canada Trust.

SOURCE TD Bank Group