By Kathy Chouteau
Mechanics Bank’s multi-branch coin collection effort in Contra Costa County has thus far collected $66,000 in change to support local businesses during the pandemic, according to the bank.
Starting last week, the bank has encouraged residents to swap their change for paper bills at their coin-counting machines fee-free. The action was prompted by businesses falling short on change due to national circulation issues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Since rolling out our no-fee coin collection effort Aug. 10, our Danville, Mira Vista and Walnut Creek branches have collected nearly $66,000 in change to support our local business clients,” said Greg Jones, senior vice president and director of corporate communications at Mechanics Bank.
As The Standard reported last Monday, the self-help coin-counting machines are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays at Mechanics Bank’s Mira Vista Branch at 4100 Macdonald Ave. in Richmond; Danville Branch inside Lunardi’s Supermarkets at 345 Railroad Ave.; and the Walnut Creek Branch at 1350 North Main St.
According to Jones, a fourth Contra Cost County branch joined the drive yesterday; the Hilltop Branch, located at 3190 Klose Way, Richmond.
The fee waiving effort is a limited time offer by Mechanics Bank in response to the coin shortage, which is a result of the closure or reduction in operations of businesses during the pandemic that frequently deal in change, as well as a reduction in production of coins by the U.S. Mint, which implemented COVID-19 safety measures to protect its employees.
Learn more about Mechanics Bank here.
