Understanding Deferrals
Mastercard® deferrals for businesses
How does a business Mastercard deferral work? How does it affect repayment? Here’s what to consider before deferring your business Mastercard.
How does the deferral work?
A deferral on your Fixed-Rate (19.9%) Mastercard® means your minimum payment will be adjusted to $0 for a defined period of time. During this time, interest still accumulates at the applicable rate on the outstanding balance, and is charged to your Mastercard account. Your APR for purchases will be reduced to 9.95% for the three month deferral period.
A deferral on your Variable or Low-Rate Mastercard means your minimum payment will be adjusted to $0 for a defined period of time and interest still accumulates at the applicable rate (as set out in your Business Mastercard Cardholder Agreement) on the outstanding balance, and is charged to your Mastercard account.
Customers holding our reward cards will continue to earn their rewards points during this relief period.
If you have Mastercard Balance Protection, those premiums will continue to be charged to your Mastercard account during the deferral period to maintain your coverage. To check eligibility to use your Balance Protection, please call Manulife at 1-877-362-2103.
How does repayment work?
At the end of your deferral period, your minimum monthly payment requirement resumes.
What should you consider?
Given interest rates are typically higher on Mastercard than other loan products, we recommend that you use the deferral options for other lower rate lending products first, while continuing to attempt to make monthly Mastercard payments. We recommend using this Mastercard payment deferral option only if absolutely necessary for your financial situation.
Repayment strategies
If you are concerned about not having sufficient funds available when your payments resume, please connect with us prior to the end of the deferral period to explore more manageable options. If you take advantage of the Mastercard deferral option and your financial position improves before the end of your deferral period, we encourage you to resume your Mastercard payments early or to make one-time payments, as you can, to minimize the interest charges that will accumulate based on your outstanding balance.
Helpful definitions
Amortization period: The total number of years that it’ll take to pay off your loan
Debit: To take out of your account
Deferral period: The defined period of time that your payments are suspended
Interest: The charges that accrue (or accumulate) over time, which are determined by applying the rate to an amount owing from time to time under a loan, line of credit or lease agreement
Outstanding principal balance: The current amount owing on your principal balance
Payment account: The account you designated, from which your payments are withdrawn
Principal balance: The original amount of money you borrowed
Rate: The interest rate you pay under your loan, line of credit, lease, or cardholder agreement
Secured: When you use an asset, such as your home, as collateral to secure the loan
Term: The length of time you’re committed to in the conditions set out in the loan agreement or lease agreement, such as your interest rate and payment amount
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