Q: Why are changes being made to my accounts and online banking system?

A: Progress Bank and United Community will be joining forces in order to deliver the same personalized care you enjoy today, with the added benefit of expanded services to meet your needs, goals, and aspirations. You will continue to enjoy the same convenience and service from the team of bankers you know and trust, at the same locations.
 
Progress Bank’s operating system will be fully integrated into United’s the weekend of April 15. As a result, the accounts and services you have with Progress Bank will undergo some changes. Effective April 17, all of your accounts and services will be subject to United's Terms and Conditions.

More than anything, we are working to ensure these changes are as seamless as possible.

Q: Will the name remain Progress Bank?

A: Progress Bank will begin operating under the United Community  name, with a full transition in mid-April. The United and Progress teams will work diligently in the background to make this transition as seamless as possible for you.

Q: Who is United Community ?

A: United Community Banks, Inc. is a $25.4 billion asset bank holding company that operates 207 banking offices in Alabama, the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee, along with a national SBA lending franchise and a national equipment lending subsidiary.
 
Since 1950, United Community has been dedicated to providing best-in-class service to our customers as the foundation of every relationship. Known as “The Bank That SERVICE Built®,” we are committed to improving the lives of residents in the communities we serve through the philosophy of delivering an exceptional banking service. We strive to provide valuable, convenient, and innovative products and services with the attentive customer service you deserve.
 
United is honored to receive the following awards over the past several years:

• J.D. Power, #1 in Customer Satisfaction with Consumer Banking in the Southeast, 2022
  • Marks eight out of the last nine years
• Forbes, 100 Best Banks in America, 2022
  • Ninth consecutive year
• American Banker, “Best Banks to Work For”, 2022
  • Marks six years in a row based on employee satisfaction
• Greenwich Excellence Awards, Small Business Banking and Middle Market Banking, 2021
  • Ten awards, including national awards for Overall Satisfaction and Likelihood to Recommend
• Forbes, World’s Best Banks, 2022
  • Top 10 in the world

We are proud of this success, but we’re even more proud of the tradition upon which our company was built—treating customers the way we want to be treated. We are committed to helping individuals, families, businesses, and communities grow strong and prosperous.

Q: Will I continue to work with my same bankers?

A: Yes, the bankers you know and trust are committed to assisting you through this system integration. Your banker is backed by a team of professionals that have a high commitment to customer service and local relationships.

Q: Will my local branch remain open?

A: Yes, you will continue to enjoy the same convenience and service from the team of professionals you know and trust, at the same locations you use today.

Q: Will I have access to all United Community branches?

A: Yes, beginning Monday, April 17, you may conduct transactions at all of United’s branch, ATM, and ITM locations throughout Alabama, the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. Visit ucbi.com/locations for a complete list of United’s locations.

 

Q: What is an ITM?

A: An Interactive Teller Machine, or ITM for short, combines the convenience of an ATM with the award-winning service delivered by friendly, knowledgeable United employees. Physically, the machine looks similar to an ATM, but it has video capabilities that allow you to interact with a teller. Interactive Tellers can help you conduct more transactions than basic ATMs and can answer different questions you might have about your finances or a particular transaction. All this without having to wait in line at the branch.
United ITMs still offer the functionality of an ATM, where customers can simply withdraw cash, view account balances, and perform other basic ATM transactions.

Q: What changes are being made to any checking, money market, or savings account(s)?

A: All checking, savings, and/or money market accounts will automatically transition to a new product during the conversion in April. Beginning April 17, the United Terms and Conditions will amend and replace your current account agreement with Progress Bank. 

• Most deposit account number(s) will remain the same, however, some will change to ensure they remain compatible with United Community’s operating system. You will be contacted separately if your account number is changing.
• An interim paper statement will be mailed on Friday, April 14. This statement will include activity on your account up to final processing.
• As a courtesy, there will be no monthly maintenance fees assessed on your checking or money market account(s) during the first two statement cycles following conversion or your savings account(s) during the first quarterly statement cycle following conversion.

 If you have any questions regarding your account type or the fees associated with your new account, please contact your banker or call us at 1-800-UCBANK1.

Q: What if I want a different product?

A: Your banker will be happy to discuss a solution that best fits your financial needs.

Q: Will there be any changes to my Certificate of Deposit (CD) or Individual Retirement Account (IRA)?

A: If you have a CD or a fixed IRA, the interest rate will not change until it matures. Please refer to our  Terms and Conditions for additional information regarding these accounts.
 

Q: Will I need new checks or deposit slips for my checking accounts?

A: Please continue using your current checks and checking deposit slips until your supply is gone. When it is time for you to reorder, please contact United Community to ensure that you receive new checks with the correct routing number. The new routing number is 061112843.

Q: Will I need savings deposit or withdrawal slips for my savings account?

A: Yes, savings deposit and withdrawal slips issued by Progress Bank should be discarded after Friday, April 14. Please call 1-800-UCBANK1 or visit a branch office to request a complimentary replacement order.

Q: Will direct deposits and automatic payments continue to process as normal?

A: Yes, your direct deposits and automatic payments will continue to be processed in the same manner as they are now. There is no action you need to take.

Q: Will I continue to have access to 24-Hour Telephone Banking?

A: Yes, you will have access to 24-Hour Telephone Banking beginning Monday, April 17, at 7:00am CT by dialing 1-800-UCBANK1. You will be able to check your account balance, review your transactions, transfer funds, make a payment, report lost or stolen cards, and more.
 
The last four digits of your tax identification number will serve as your temporary PIN until you designate the PIN of your choice. Please note that your 24-Hour Telephone Banking PIN will be reset to the last four digits of your tax identification number even if you have a previously established PIN.

Q: Will there be any changes to my safe deposit box?

A: Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for details regarding safe deposit box rental fees.

 

Q: What will I need to do to continue receiving incoming domestic and international wire transfers to my account?

A: To be certain that incoming domestic and international wire transfers are properly credited to your account, you will need to inform the originator of the wire transfer of the following information to begin using on April 17:

1. Financial Institution Name: United Community Bank

2. Domestic: Bank Routing Number (also called ABA Number): 061112843
     International: Bank Identifier Code (also called BIC): UCOUUS33

3. Address: 125 Highway 515 East 
     Blairsville, GA 30512

4. Your name and account number

Incoming wire transfers intended for loan payments or loan payoffs should use the following format to avoid delay or return:
Wire funds to:  
United Community Bank
125 Highway 515 East
Blairsville, GA 30512
ABA: #061112843
Credit Account Name: UCB Loan Operations
Credit Account Number: 1203-009-001
OBI/Special Instructions: FFC: Input Borrower Name and Loan Account Number
ATTN: Loan Operations
RE: Input any additional information here

 

Q: Will I be able to use the night depository as I have in the past?

A: Yes, you will be able to use any United Community night depository, where available. Contact your banker for more information about this convenient service.
 

Q: My business has Treasury Management Services. How will these transition?

A: United Community will continue to offer comprehensive and cost-effective solutions to better help you manage cash flow and streamline business processes, including Online and Mobile Banking, ACH Origination, Wire Transfers, Positive Pay, and Remote Deposit Capture. Additional information about the Treasury Management Services transition will be shared in the coming weeks. We will work directly with you to ensure a smooth transition.

Q: I received multiple copies of the same mailing. Is this a mistake?

A: Through the course of the conversion process, you may receive multiple copies of the same mailing. Please understand that this is not a mistake. If there are multiple primary account holders within one household, multiple copies of a mailing may be sent.

Q: Whom will my year-end tax information come from?

A: Your 2023 year-end tax information will be issued under United Community and will be postmarked by the required date of January 31, 2024.

Q: Will I continue to have unlimited, no-charge ATM use nationwide?

A: There are over 180 ATMs and ITMs throughout the United Community footprint that you can use with no fee. Additionally, United is a member of the Publix® Presto! Network, which allows access to more than 1,260 ATMs nationwide with no fee. Please visit ucbi.com/locations for a complete list of Publix® Presto! and United ATMs or ITMs.
 
ATM transactions/balance inquiries outside of the United or Publix Presto! ATM networks are subject to charges by other institutions, and you may incur a fee from United.
 

Q: What are the daily cash withdrawal and transaction limits with my new United Community Mastercard® debit card?

A: You may withdraw no more than $500 in cash per day, and you may not exceed $3,500 in transactions per day using your debit card. Additional details may be found in the Electronic Fund Disclosure section of our Terms and Conditions.

Q: Will I receive check images with my statements?

A: Check images are included with all eStatements (also known as paperless statements). Business clients receiving paper statements will also continue to receive check images at no cost. However, check images will not be included with consumer deposit account paper statements. You may request to have check images added to your paper statements for an additional monthly fee.

Q: I am currently receiving eStatements. How will I receive my statement going forward?

A: If you already receive eStatements, a notification will be sent to the email address we have in our records when your statement is ready to be accessed through Online and Mobile Banking. You must be enrolled in online banking in order to access your eStatements.

Q: Will I continue to have access to my Progress Bank account eStatements through Online Banking?

A: Yes, up to 24 months of eStatements will be available within online and mobile banking. However, there may be a delay accessing eStatements following the conversion. Prior to Friday, April 14, you may find it beneficial to print or save existing documents that you may need to access at a later time.

Q: If I have lost a statement or I need information on transactions that occurred before April 14, whom should I contact?

A: You may call or stop by any United Community branch office, and we will be happy to assist you in acquiring the information you need.

Q: Will United Community’s new online and mobile banking system offer new features and functionality?

A: Yes, you’ll enjoy an enhanced online and mobile banking experience that includes:

• Extra security. Benefit from added fraud prevention and security features including the use of Secure Access Codes and browser registration.
• Mobile optimization. View and manage all of your bank accounts from your desktop, tablet, or smartphone. All of the features available within online banking are also available within the new mobile banking app.
• My Money Manager. Manage and review cash flow, spending trends, assets, debt, and budgets with a single login. My Money Manager makes it easy to track your cash with charts and graphs, see your spending history, categorize transactions, create budgets, and plan for your financial future.

Q: Will there be any disruption in the Online and Mobile Banking service during the conversion?

A: Progress Bank’s Online and Mobile Banking service will be turned off at 3:00pm CT on Friday, April 14, with no access until Monday, April 17, at 7:00am CT while we transition to a new and improved system.
You may begin using the United Online and Mobile Banking system beginning Monday, April 17, at 7:00am CT by visiting ucbi.com.
 

Q: Will there be any disruption in the Bill Pay service during the conversion?

A: The Bill Pay service will be temporarily unavailable beginning at 5:00pm CT on Thursday, April 13, until Monday, April 17, at 7:00am CT as we transition to a new Bill Pay system. Any payments scheduled to be delivered will be sent as all payees and scheduled payments will be automatically updated in the new Bill Pay service, so there is no need for you to re-enter the information. However, eBills will need to be re-established.

Q: Will my loan account number change?

A: In most cases, your loan account number will not change. However, there are some that will be changing as they are not currently compatible with United’s operating system. In those cases, additional information about your new loan account number will be provided in a separate mailing.

Q: What if I have my loan payments automatically drafted or issued from a different financial institution or Bill Pay Service? Do I need to do anything?

A: Yes, please contact your financial institution or Bill Pay service provider and provide the following information to begin using on Monday, April 17:
United Community Bank
P.O. Box 249
Blairsville, Georgia 30514
ABA #061112843
Loan payments automatically drafted from an account at United Community (formerly Progress Bank) will be automatically updated and no action is required, unless your draft is not compatible with United Community's operating system. If this occurs, you will receive a call or communication from your Loan Officer providing more details.

Q: What are other ways I can make a loan payment?

A: Beginning Monday, April 17, you can make your payment at any United Community branch, online at ucbi.com/make-a-loan-payment, or mail it to:
United Community Bank
P.O. Box 249
Blairsville, GA 30514

Q: Will I continue to receive a payment statement for my business loan or business line of credit?

A: Yes, accounts with active balances will continue to receive a payment statement, but it may look slightly different than your current statement. If your payment was automatically debited from your deposit account, you will receive a courtesy payment statement. If your business line of credit reflects an interest balance less than $10, you will not receive a payment statement.
 
Beginning Monday, April 17, you can make your payment at any United Community branch, post it online at ucbi.com, or mail it to:
United Community Bank
P.O. Box 249
Blairsville, GA 30514

Q: When should I notify my insurance carrier where to send my insurance policy covering the collateral that secures my loan?

A: On or after Monday, April 17, please notify your insurance carrier to update the Loss Payee Clause or Mortgagee Clause on all collateral securing your loan(s) to:
United Community Bank
ISAOA ATIMA
P.O. Box 7092
Troy, MI 48007-7092

You will receive a letter shortly after April 17 which will provide further detail to update the Loss Payee/Mortgagee clause on your loans.

Q: Will I continue to receive a payment statement for my installment loan, Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), or mortgage loan?

A: Yes, accounts with active balances will continue to receive a payment statement, but it may look slightly different than your current statement. If your payment was automatically debited from your deposit account, you will receive a courtesy payment statement. If your HELOC account reflects a zero balance, you will not receive a monthly statement; however, a regulatory annual statement will be generated. If your HELOC account or personal line of credit reflects an interest balance less than $10, it will not generate a payment statement.
 
Beginning Monday, April 17, you can make your payment at any United Community branch or mail it to:
United Community Bank
P.O. Box 249
Blairsville, GA 30514

Q: If I have questions regarding my escrow account, who can I call?

A: Please call 1-800-UCBANK1 and select Option 4 to speak to one of our mortgage servicing specialists.

Q: Will I need new checks for my Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)?

A: Yes, all clients with a HELOC will be issued new HELOC checks to begin using on Monday, April 17. Please discontinue use and safely discard any old HELOC checks as of this date.

Q: If my mortgage loan currently has an escrow account, will the escrow balances be transferred to United Community?

A: Yes, your existing loan escrow account balances will be transferred and serviced by United Community beginning April 17, 2023. On or after April 17, if you receive an insurance bill or tax bill that needs to be paid, take them to your local United Community office or send them directly to our Escrow Department by fax or mail.
United Community Bank
Escrow Department
125 East Broad Street
Greenville, SC 29601
Fax: 864-239-0896

Q: How are overdrafts covered?

A: An overdraft occurs when you do not have enough money in your account to cover a transaction, but we pay it anyway. Effective Monday, April 17, United Community may cover your overdrafts in two different ways:

1. We have standard overdraft practices that come with your account.
2. We also offer overdraft protection plans, such as a link to a checking account, savings account, or line of credit, which may be less expensive than our standard overdraft practices. Please call or visit any of our locations to learn more.

Q: What are the standard overdraft practices that come with my account?

A: Effective Monday, April 17, United Community may authorize and pay overdrafts for the following types of transactions for qualifying consumer accounts:

• Checks, ACH, and other transactions made using your checking account number
• Automatic bill payments

However, we will not authorize and pay overdrafts for the following types of transactions unless you ask us to:

• ATM transactions
• Everyday debit card transactions

We pay overdrafts at our discretion, which means we do not guarantee that we will always authorize and pay any type of transaction. If we do not authorize and pay an overdraft, your transaction will be declined.

Additional details, including information about fees associated with standard overdraft practices, can be found in the Terms and Conditions. 

Q: Will United Community pay overdrafts on my ATM and everyday debit card transactions for qualifying consumer accounts?

A: Yes, we may, at our discretion, authorize and pay overdrafts on your ATM and everyday debit card transactions if you authorize us to do so. You may opt-in to Courtesy Overdraft with ATM and Debit Card Coverage beginning Monday, April 17, online at ucbi.com/courtesy or by contacting your banker, calling us at 1-800-UCBANK1, or visiting any United Community branch.

Q: Will automatic transfers continue from a linked United Community account for overdraft purposes?

A: Yes, any automatic transfers from deposit accounts or lines of credit that are set up on your United Community accounts for overdraft purposes will continue. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for additional information about overdraft options and fees.

Q: Are my accounts still FDIC insured?

A: Yes, you have a six-month grace period to restructure accounts. Under FDIC rules, for at least six months after the January 3, 2023, merger date, your Progress Bank accounts will be separately insured from any accounts you may already have at United Community and Seaside Bank and Trust, a division of United Community. This grace period gives you the opportunity to restructure accounts, if necessary.
 
Following the initial six-month period, checking and savings accounts will be insured as United Community, but Certificates of Deposit may continue to be insured separately for a longer period as described below.
 
Certificates of Deposit will be insured separately until the first maturity date after the end of the six-month grace period. Separate coverage may be extended based on opening and renewal dates, maturity dates, and varying terms or amounts.
 
The basic FDIC insurance amount is $250,000 for each depositor at each bank. If you have money in both banks, so long as your combined total (including accrued interest) is $250,000 or less, all your money is fully protected.
 
Even if the merger results in you having more than $250,000 in the combined deposits, you may still be fully insured. First, remember that deposits you hold in different “ownership categories”—such as joint, single, and retirement accounts—are separately insured up to $250,000. That means, for example, that after the merger, you could have up to $250,000 in single accounts and up to $250,000 in your portion of joint accounts and still be fully insured.
 
If you have questions about your deposit insurance, please contact us, or you can call the FDIC at 1-877-ASK-FDIC and ask to speak to a deposit insurance specialist.

If you have additional questions regarding the transition of your account(s) or need further clarification at this time, please do not hesitate to contact your local bank team or call us at 1-800-UCBANK1 (1-800-822-2651).