Ford, Goldman Let Customers Skip March Loans, Credit Payments

Goldman Sachs has announced that customers of Marcus, its online bank, as well as Apple Card customers can have an additional month to make payments due to the coronavirus outbreak and the potential disruption to income, according to Reuters.

The late payments will not accrue a penalty fine or be charged interest, the financial institution said. Marcus customers who defer will have their loan terms extended one month, and Apple Card customers who can’t pay on March 31 can sign up for an assistance program to skip the payment.

Citigroup initiated a similar response last week and began offering hardship assistance to customers.

Automakers have also been reacting to the crisis, and many said that customers who buy new vehicles will be able to defer payments, and existing loan customers can ask to reschedule payments, according to the New York Post.

The move is meant to help sell vehicles as millions across the country decide to stay home and try to stem the outbreak’s growth. About 4,100 people in the country have been infected as of Monday (March 16).

Ford said its credit unit is going to allow for up to 90 days for deferments on new vehicle payments. Nissan said it would offer a similar deal.

Hyundai said payments on select new vehicles could be deferred for 90 days, and it would give six months of payment relief to customers who lost a job. General Motors (GM) and Toyota also offered help.

“We are working with customers on a case-by-case basis regarding payment deferrals and waiving late fees,” a GM spokesman said.

Many analysts have reduced sales forecasts this year for automobiles.

Adam Jonas, a Morgan Stanley analyst, said he is anticipating a “demand shock” that will see sales drop 9 percent this year. Before the outbreak, he predicted a drop of 1 percent to 2 percent.