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Membership
Questions
What
is a Credit Union?
We are a not-for-profit financial institution, meaning we
return our earnings to you, the member, in the form of lower
fees, higher savings rates and better loan rates with no application
fees. Our members are our shareholders; we work for each and
every one of you, not some snobby, old board of directors
with big paychecks funded by your fees. In fact our Board
of Directors are all members just like you who volunteer their
time to be on our Board. What a concept, huh? A place where
people still work for the benefit of people.
Why
do I have to be eligible to join your Credit Union to open
an account?
Because we are a not-for-profit financial institution,
we do have membership restrictions imposed on us. Credit unions
serve people who share a common bond. That could be the place
where you live (community), your work, church or other organization
you belong to. All credit unions have a unique field of membership
they serve. If you would like to see if you fall into ours,
see our membership
page.
Who can join your Credit Union?
Anyone who is in our field
of membership may join our Credit Union.
Why
is the community area you serve only the downtown areas of
Portland, OR?
The community area we serve is based on census tracts
set by our Board of Directors and our regulator, the National
Credit Union Administration. Our community area was chosen
to serve people who may not have access to credit unions and
affordable ways of banking.
How
do I apply for Membership?
It's simple. If you fall into our field of membership, simply
fill out and print our online application, or email
us to have one mailed to you. If you have questions about
membership, you can visit our membership
page, or contact us at info@nrfcu.org
or 503-220-2592 or 800-942-9408 in OR & WA.
My company
doesn't have a credit union serving them. How can I have Northwest
Resource serve my company?
If your company would like to have Northwest Resource
serve as its credit union, contact our Marketing
Department at 503-220-2592 or
800-942-9408 in OR & WA or click here for more information.
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Account
Questions
How
can I set up Direct Deposit?
Setting up direct deposit to your savings or checking account
is easy. Simply print and fill out our online direct
deposit enrollment form and return it to your company's
payroll department.
How
do I set up Payroll Deduction for my savings or loan payment?
Payroll Deduction can be set up by using internal transfer
records for money to be distributed to your savings or loan
payment. Please contact a Financial Service Representative
or our Accounting Department for more details.
How
do I wire money somewhere?
Outgoing wire transfers can be done from your account.
You will need to provide adequate information in order to
perform a wire including the destination account's routing
and transfer number. Please feel free to contact our Accounting
Department for specific instructions.
Why
do I have to open a savings account to have a checking account?
Each account is required to have a savings account with a
$5 minimum balance in it to identify a member's ownership
in the Credit Union. Because
credit unions are member owned, each member has a $5 share
of the Credit Union and is therefore an equal owner.
Why
did I get charged an NSF fee when I had money in my account?
NSF fees will be charged on an account that has money being
held and the available amount is not sufficient to
cover the check trying to clear. Holds on your account can
occur from using your check card or depositing certain checks.
To avoid NSF fees, always keep track of check card purchases
and your available balance. Note any holds on check deposits
you make at the Credit Union as well. Holds on deposits will
be reflected on your receipt.Remember, you can also
set up overdraft protection to avoid NSF fees. Call the Credit
Union to set up overdraft protection on your checking account.
503-220-2592 or 800-942-9408 in OR & WA.
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Loan Questions
Why does the Credit Union use
NADA Book values instead of Kelly Blue Book?
NADA Appraisal Guide is a more conservative book in evaluating
the market value of a vehicle. We feel this is a benefit to
our members in not paying an inflated price on a vehicle.
Why can't a joint member apply
for a loan without having to open a new account?
To apply for a loan as individual credit you must be a member
and the primary account holder. You cannot request a loan
as an individual on another member's account.
You can be a joint applicant with a primary account holder(applicant)
when you apply for a loan with joint credit.
What is a secured vs. unsecured
loan?
A secured loan means you have given the lender something of
value to hold as collateral until you pay your loan in full.
This can be many things: car titles, boat titles, savings,
home titles, stock, etc. You generally receive better rates
of interest than unsecured loans. As an example, car loans
are what most everyone is familiar with. The lender keeps
the physical paper car title. The lender is listed as the
lien holder on the form and through the DMV records until
the loan is paid off. The lender then will sign off the car
title and release it to the borrower. If the loan is not paid
as agreed and is in default, the lender can take the collateral,
sell it and apply the dollars from the sale to the balance
of the loan.
An unsecured loan has no collateral. Interest rates on these
loans are generally higher than loans with collateral due
to the higher risk involved for the Credit Union.
How can I get a loan payoff?
You can come in or call the Credit Union to get payoffs on
all loans including Visa. Our Call Connection and Online Banking
will provide you payoff's on all loans EXCEPT VISA.
When will I get my car title
after I pay off the loan?
Titles are released automatically to members after 10 business
days, usually sent through the mail. Should you need your
title sooner, you are welcome to contact a loan officer to
make other arrangements.
Why does my payroll deduction
still continue after my loan is paid off? Where does it go?
Your payroll deduction will continue to come to us until you
request a change or stop it. Once a loan is paid off, the
money will automatically be deposited to your savings account.
Why is my Visa credit card
information in the loan section of online banking?
A Visa credit card is a loan product. It is a revolving line
of credit and is included in the section with the other loans.
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Check
Card/ATM Card/Credit Card Questions
Why is there a hold on my account
when I use my Check Card?
When you use your card with a merchant, an authorization is
given to that merchant approving the transaction. A hold is
then placed on the same amount of funds in your checking account
that will be released when the transaction is posted (generally
1-3 days).
Why is my Visa Credit Card
information in the loan section of online banking?
A VISA credit card is a loan product. It is a revolving line
of credit and is included in the section with the other loans.
Why won't my card work if I
know I have money in my account?
We update available balances daily with the network. When
you make a deposit to your checking, that balance might not
be updated with the VISA network until the next business day.
If you need to access the funds immediately, you may go to
any ATM or POS merchant, as they are live transactions. They
know what is in your account all of the time.
Why did the ATM keep my card?
In most cases, it's because the card has expired. In some
instances the ATM machine may have an internal problem and
it will, unfortunately, capture the card it is trying to do
a transaction for. It will also capture your card if it is
broken or bent. ATM Machines will capture any card we have
reported as lost or stolen as well.
Why does the ATM give my card
back after I put it in?
The ATM may be out of service or your card is demagnetized.
It's important to keep your plastic cards separated, as they
can demagnetize each another.
How much money can I get from
the ATM per day?
Generally, the daily amount is $205 if you have a savings
only account or a Value checking account. If you have a Premium
checking account, the daily amount is $305.
How long does it take to get
my ATM Card, Check Card, or Visa Credit Card?
It usually takes 7-10 business days to get your card.
Can I rush order a card?
We will gladly have your card rushed but at your expense.
If you would like your card in 3-4 business days, you can
pay a $25 fee to have it rushed.
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Online
Banking Startup/Password Questions
How do I get a username?
You choose your username when you sign up for Online Banking with a Financial Service Representative. Your username must:
- Be 8-15 characters in length
- Start with a letter
- Contain letters and numbers only (no special characters)
Is
my password the same as my PIN number?
No. Your PIN number for your ATM, Check, or Credit card
is not the same as your online banking password. You will
need to call the Credit Union to set up your online banking
password. You can choose any password you want between 4 and
20 characters or numbers. 503-220-2592 or 800-942-9408 in
OR & WA.
How
do I get a password to use online banking?
To protect your account, you will have to call us during business
hours M - F 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PST to receive a password.
For security purposes, we cannot accept password requests
via email. 503-220-2592 or 800-942-9408 in OR & WA.
Why do I need to set up answers to three security questions?
The security questions are part of enhanced security to Online Banking. The security questions and answers are used to further identify you. One or more of these may be asked during an Online Banking session if you are doing a transaction that is unusual for you and thus might indicate that someone else is trying to access your account fraudulently.
Why do I only get asked to answer a security question some of the time when I use Online Banking?
You will be asked to answer a security question when you are doing a transaction that is not considered a normal pattern of behavior on your account. The security questions are to help ensure that nobody else is able to access your account fraudulently.
What if I forgot my username, password, or the answers to my security questions?
To reset your username, password, or security questions, please call the Credit Union during business hours, M - F 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PST and talk to a Financial Service Representative. 503-220-2592 or 800-942-9408 in OR & WA.
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Online Banking
Usage Questions
I
tried to access my account and I was told it was frozen. How
do I fix this?
For security purposes, we only allow 3 failed password attempts
on your account before our system will "freeze"
it. This is to prevent unauthorized access from occurring. To unfreeze
your account, call the Credit Union during business hours,
M - F 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PST and talk to a Financial Service
Representative. 503-220-2592 or 800-942-9408 in OR & WA.
Why
does it show an available balance on my accounts and an actual
balance?
The available balance reflects any holds from check card
purchases or minimum balance requirements on your account.
This is the amount that you have available to you. The actual
balance shows all funds including holds that have not cleared
your account or any minimum balance requirement. For example,
if you have $50 in your savings account, your actual balance
will reflect the full $50 but you available balance will only
show $45 because you have a $5 minimum balance requirement
on that account.
What
is the message board?
The message board allows you to leave the Credit Union messages
directly from your account without using email. You can leave
us questions about your account, general questions or suggestions
about online banking. A member service representative will
respond to your message by the next business day.
How
do I get a payoff amount on my loan?
You can receive loan payoff amounts through online banking
by clicking on the loan information screen. There is an option
for payoff amounts for your loans. You can even calculate payoff for a future date. Please note,
if you want to pay off your Visa credit card, you will need
to call the Credit Union directly for an accurate payoff amount.
503-220-2592 or 800-942-9408 in OR & WA.
Why
is the Visa credit card information in the loan section?
Visa credit cards are actually loans. Credit cards are like
unsecured lines of credit. Each time you use your credit card,
you are accessing a line of credit with a promise to pay it
back. Visas, however, are unique in that they offer a grace
period on purchases wherein you will not need to pay interest
if paid in full before the grace period ends. For more questions
about Visa credit cards, please call the Credit Union at 503-220-2592
or 800-942-9408 in OR & WA.
Can
I transfer money to other accounts at the Credit Union?
Yes, but you must first set up the ability to do so by calling
the Credit Union at 503-220-2592 or 800-942-9408 in OR &
WA. We can set up your account to transfer to other accounts
you have at the Credit Union or to other members. However,
if you are not on the account you wish to transfer money to,
you can only send money to that account and not receive any
back unless the other member has contacted us to do so. Contact
a member service representative for details.
When
I transfer money between two accounts, why does the New Balance
information appear only on my account and the other one shows
it starred out (*******)?
You can transfer money into accounts that you may not be an
owner on; for example, to your child's or sister's account.
By law we cannot disclose any account information to someone
who is not an owner of that account. Since our system is not
able to determine if the person performing the transfer is
actually an owner of the destination account, we must block
out the balance information of the destination account on
all transfers performed outside of the account that is logged
in at the time. If you would like to know the balance of the
destination account after a transfer, you will have to log
out and log back into that account with the password.
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Online
Banking Security Questions
Is
online banking secure?
Yes. We provide secure financial services through a
protocol known as the Secure Sockets Layer with the highest
level of encryption available in the United States. The Secure
Sockets Layer prevents other computers from eavesdropping
by encrypting all data transmitted between our site and your
computer. People trying to see your information would see
each packet of information as a meaningless jumble of bytes.
What
can I do to help protect my account?
Above all else, keep your password private. Memorize your
password and do not write it down or leave it lying around.
Change your password often, especially if you access your
account from work or a busy area. Also, use passwords that
are not easy to guess, such as your birth date or a child's
name. Make your passwords more secure by choosing something
a person would not guess in 3 tries. You can also combine
characters and numbers for a more secure password.
Why
does it tell me that my "page has expired due to inactivity"
when I try to click on something?
For security purposes, if you are logged into your account
and do not click on anything or perform any transactions/inquiries
for 10 minutes, your session will automatically end. This
is a built-in feature to protect your account from staying
open if you walk away from the computer and forget to close
your session. To begin a new session, click on the restart
session link and retype your account number and password.
Remember, it is always best to use the "end session"
button whenever you are finished with online banking. The
auto turnoff is a security precaution only. It is best to
end all sessions when not in use.
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Online BillPay Questions
What is online BillPay?
Online BillPay is a service that allows you to pay bills through your online banking account. You determine who you want to pay and when you want to make the payment. It's safe, secure and easy to use.
Who can I pay with online BillPay?
You can pay virtually any business or individual with a mailing address within the United States and Puerto Rico. For example, you can pay utilities, cable bills or credit cards, or individuals such as a landlord, babysitter, or relative.
How do I enroll in BillPay?
You can enroll for BillPay in three steps.
- Access and login to your Online Banking account (you must be enrolled in Online Banking*).
- Use the BillPay link to access the enrollment form.
- Complete the enrollment form and click submit.
*Call us at 503.220.2592 to enroll in Online Banking
How do I start using BillPay?
First, you need to enroll to activate your BillPay account. If you haven't enrolled, please follow the three steps shown above. If you have enrolled, you can make a payment in four easy steps.
- Grab a bill and login to your Online Banking account.
- Click on the "BillPay" link.
- Add your payee from the "Payees" tab.
- Enter the amount you want paid and make your payment.
How are online payments delivered?
Payments are sent one of two ways—electronically or by paper checks. The majority of payments are delivered electronically. Your payment information, such as your account number, is sent via secure transmission. All other payments are made by paper checks that are mailed via the U.S. Postal Service.
Is BillPay secure?
Paying bills online is one of the safest ways to pay your bills. Online BillPay helps guard against identity theft from lost or stolen checkbooks, bills and statements. It also increases your privacy because only you can access your account information, account numbers and payment history. As a result, you maintain tighter control of your account with real time access to your payments activity.
What is the timeframe for scheduling a payment?
You choose the date that you want your payment to be received (arrival date). The BillPay system will show you both the arrival date and the process date. The process date is the date that the funds come out of your account. Arrival date is generally 3 business days for electronic payments, and 5 business days for check payments, after the process date.
What are the primary benefits of BillPay?
Here's a quick list of the many ways you can benefit from using BillPay.
- Save time. It takes only minutes to pay your bills each month. You save time on trips to the post office and filing away paper receipts. In addition, smart features such as recurring payments allow you to set up a schedule to pay your bills automatically.
- Save money. BillPay saves on postage, envelopes, late fees, and checks. If you pay just 10 bills per month, you can easily save over $75.00* per year.
- Stay organized. Your payment history is stored online so you won't have to file and sort through paper receipts.
- Gain peace of mind. You can schedule payments in advance so you won't have to worry about paying bills when you travel. BillPay reminders are also available to notify you it's time to pay your bill.
- Help the environment by saving paper. With online BillPay, there are no checks to write or envelopes to mail. That's good news for you and the environment.
*Savings are approximate and based upon the average annual cost of stamps, envelopes, and checks required for paying ten bills per month.
What is eBill?
eBill is a feature that allows you to receive and pay electronic summary versions of paper bills directly from your online BillPay account.
How do eBills work?
eBills are delivered directly to your online BillPay account. Once you set up an individual eBill for a company you do business with, an eBill comes directly from that payee to your account. Examples of businesses that offer eBills are cable service providers, phone service providers, utility providers and credit card companies.
Will I still receive paper statements when I have eBill?
You will also continue to receive paper bill statements unless you contact the payee to stop sending those statements.
How will I know if eBill is available for a payee?
There are two easy ways to determine if a payee offers eBill. You can check to see if there is a "Setup eBill" link next to their listing on your online BillPay home page, or look for the "Sign Up" icon under their name in the "View Payees" section.
What are the primary benefits of eBill?
With eBill, everything you need is in one convenient location. Using eBill allows you to streamline your BillPay routine and have online access to your bills. That means you won't have to keep track of paper bills. In addition, you can view past bill summaries at a glance.
What information is included in an eBill?
Balance due, due date and minimum payment amount are included in your eBill. If you need additional details, there will be a link that lets you login to your account on your payee's website, or you can check your paper statement.
How do I pay an eBill?
To pay an eBill, simply choose the account you want to pay from, enter the amount you want to pay, and schedule when you want the payment delivered.
How do I know when I have received an eBill?
You can sign up to receive an electronic notice to alert you when an eBill has been delivered to your account. You can receive these notices in the form of emails or text alerts to provide an extra reminder when a payment is due.
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Online Banking