Quick Links

1. How do I log in to Online Banking?

You can access Online Banking from the Northern FCU website homepage, www.northernfcu.com . Click on the login button on the top right side of the Northern FCU homepage. The online banking screen will open and request your login ID. Upon entering your ID and clicking OK, you'll see a screen requesting your security code. Enter you security code and click submit to access your online banking account.

2. Is there a minimum balance requirement?

You must deposit $1.00 to open the Choice Rewards Checking account. You must have a minimum average daily balance of $0.01 to receive the base dividend rate. There is no monthly minimum balance requirement to maintain the account.

3. Is there a balance requirement to earn dividends and ATM refunds?

You'll begin earning interest with the first penny you deposit into your account. You'll also receive ATM refunds when you maintain a positive balance.

4. What is your routing and transit number?

The Northern FCU Routing and Transit number is 221380936.

5. What are the "rewards" for Choice Reward Checking?

Choice Rewards Checking account holders receive a premium interest rate on their deposits and free ATMs nationwide.

6. What are the requirements that must be met to qualify for the rewards?

Northern FCU provides four convenient services that members must utilize to qualify for rewards each month.

• Receive monthly e-statements instead of paper statements.
• Receive a direct deposit or conduct an automatic electronic debit.
• Make 10 or more point-of-sale transactions using your debit card (excluding ATM withdrawals).
• Login to online banking once per month.

7. How often must the requirements be met to qualify for the rewards?

The Choice Rewards Checking account requirements must be met each monthly account cycle in order to receive rewards for that account cycle. If you don't meet the requirements during one cycle you are still eligible to receive rewards during the next cycle provided that you meet the account qualifications.

8. Can the dividend rate on my Choice Rewards Checking Account change?

Yes, the credit union may change the rate of the Choice Rewards Checking account at its discretion.

9. Are the 'reward' rates just teaser rates or introductory dividend rates?

No, the premium interest rate is not an introductory or teaser rate. Your account will continue to receive a premium interest rate for the life of your account. The credit union may change the rate at its discretion.

10. Is there a service charge or monthly maintenance fee for a Choice Rewards Checking Account?

No, there is no monthly or annual service charge for this account.

11. Do online purchases count as part of my 10 debit card transactions each month?

Yes, online transactions count as part of your 10 debit card transactions each month, just as in-store purchases count.

12. When is the monthly start and stop date for fulfilling the account requirements?

The monthly statement cycle for fulfilling account activity requirements is considered to be from items posted to your account on the last day of the previous statement cycle through the next to last day of the current statement cycle.

13. Should I push debit or credit for my transactions?

Unless you are requesting cash back from your transaction, you should push credit. Both debit and credit transactions count toward your 10 monthly transactions.

14. Will credit transaction count toward my 10 debit transactions each month?

Yes, credit transactions count toward your 10 transactions each month. You may use your Choice Rewards Checking debit card any where VISA is accepted.

15. Do ATM withdrawals count as part of my 10 debit card transactions?

No, ATM withdrawals are not considered point-of-sale transactions and are not counted as part of your 10 debit card transactions.

16. What is an ACH origination?

An ACH origination is an electronic transfer of funds from your account to a merchant. For example, you may provide the Northern FCU Routing and Transit number along with your Choice Rewards Checking account number to your cell phone company. Rather than sending a check or using bill pay to pay that bill each month, the cell phone company contacts Northern FCU and automatically debits your account for the amount of your bill. That monthly transaction is an ACH origination and fulfills your direct deposit or ACH requirement for the month.

17. How do I change my direct deposit information?

You do not need to provide Northern FCU with any information to change you direct deposit. Instead, you will need to contact the source of your direct deposit such as your employer or pension program. You will need to provide them with the Northern FCU Routing and Transit number (221380936) and your Choice Rewards Checking account number. Often they may request a voided check so they have an official record stating the routing and transit number and your account number.

18. Can I alternate between direct deposit and ACH origination each month?

Yes, so long as you have either a direct deposit or ACH origination each month. However, Northern FCU recommends maintaining a direct deposit or ACH each month consistently so you do not have to worry about fulfilling this requirement each month.

19. Will a direct deposit tax refund count as my direct deposit for the month?

Yes, a direct deposit tax refund will count; however, it will only count during the month it occurs.

20. Do I have to use bill pay as part of Online Banking each month?

No, you are not required to utilize bill pay as part of your online banking account. You simply need to login to online banking once a month for tasks such as checking your rewards, balancing your account, etc.

21. When will my interest and ATM refunds be posted each month?

Your Choice Rewards Checking dividends and ATM refunds will be posted to your account at the beginning of the statement cycle provided that you have met all the account requirements during the previous statement cycle. You may login to online banking to view your dividend earnings and ATM refunds.

22. Can I get a paper statement if I want one?

You are required to receive e-statements in order to qualify for your account rewards; however, should you need a paper statement, you may request one from the credit union. Paper statements can be requested for $3 per page.

23. Are there any fees if I don't meet the account requirements each month?

No. If you do not complete all the qualifications each month, there are no fees. You simply do not earn your premium dividend and do not receive your ATM refunds. You'll still enjoy a free checking account and have the opportunity to earn your rewards the next month.

24. How is my account insured?

Your Choice Rewards Checking account is insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration. You can take comfort knowing no one has ever lost a penny in a federally insured credit union.

25. Can I transfer my account from a single to a joint account? How do I change to a joint account?

Yes, you may change your account to a joint account. The joint account holder must be a member of the credit union in order to open the joint Choice Rewards Checking account.

26. Can I transfer my Free Choice Checking to a Choice Rewards Checking account? How do I change my account?

Yes, you are welcome to transfer from Free Choice Checking to Choice Rewards Checking. In order to make the switch, please call our offices at 866-310-NFCU or visit one of our branches to speak with a member service representative. As an existing checking account holder, we can transfer your account quickly and easily.

27. How do I order a new debit card?

To order a new debit card, please contact the credit union at 866-310-NFCU or visit one of our branches to speak with a member service representative. We will order a new card for your account. There is a $5.00 charge for replacing a debit card.

28. When will my e-statement be available each month?

Your e-statement will be available on the first day of the statement cycle.

29. What, if any, Choice Rewards Checking level must I reach to qualify for high yield savings?

There are no Choice Rewards Checking levels to reach to qualify for High Yield Savings. As soon as you open your Choice Rewards Checking account you are eligible to open a High Yield Savings account.

30. Can I open more than one Choice Rewards Checking account?

Yes, you may open more than one Choice Rewards Checking account. For example, you may want to open an individual Choice Rewards Checking account and then open a joint Choice Rewards Checking account with your spouse, child, etc.

31. How do I know if my account qualified to earn interest?

You may check your account activity and review any interest earned by logging into online banking to review your e-statement.

32. If I fail to meet the requirements during this statement cycle, can I still have a chance to qualify during the next statement cycle?

Yes, you will have the opportunity to earn your rewards the next statement cycle and you'll still enjoy a free checking account.

33. How are the dividends calculated?

We use the average daily balance method to calculate interest on your account. This method applies a periodic rate to the average daily balance in the account for the month. The average daily balance is calculated by adding the principal in the account for each day of the month and dividing that figure by the number of days in the month.

34. What account are dividends posted to?

The dividends are posted to your Choice Rewards Checking account each month.

35. If I use another bank's ATM and pay a fee, when will I get my refund?

If you have met your minimum monthly activity requirements, your ATM transaction fees will be refunded on your next statement cycle.

36. Do I have to do anything in order to get my ATM refund?

You must meet the monthly account requirements in order to qualify for your ATM fees refund. If all account requirements are met, Northern FCU will automatically credit your ATM fees to your account on your next statement.

37. Is there a maximum amount for an individual ATM fee that we will refund?

No, there is not a maximum account for an individual ATM fee.

38. Are fees refunded on ATMs used internationally?

No, ATM fees are refunded only for ATMs located in the United States.

39. Are POS (Point of Sale) fees refunded?

Point of Sale fees are not included in your monthly ATM refunds.

40. Must I access my e-statement online in order to qualify for the rewards?

You are not required to review your e-statement in order to qualify for rewards. However, you must login to online banking once a month to qualify for your rewards.

41. Do I receive images or checks back with my Choice Rewards Checking Account?

You can view images of checks through your online banking account. You will not receive checks back with Choice Rewards Checking. Should you need a copy of a check, you may request one from the credit union. The fee for a copy of a check is $2.50 to $10.00 depending on the delivery requirements.

42. Is there a limit on the amount of money I can keep in my Choice Rewards Checking Account?

There is no limit on the amount of money you can keep in your Choice Rewards Checking Account. The Choice Rewards Checking account has a tiered dividend program. Balances between $0.01 and $25,000 earn a premium interest rate. Balances above $25,000 continue to earn interest, but at a lower rate. If you have balances exceeding $25,000, you may want to consider opening a High Yield Savings account, which offers premium interest on balances of more than $25,000.

43. Is there a limit on the amount of ATM refunds that I can receive during a statement cycle?

No, there is not a limit on the amount of ATM refunds you can receive each statement cycle.

44. May I "carry forward" debit card transactions in excess of the required number to the next cycle period?

No. Account holders must complete 10 or more debit card transaction each cycle. Transactions above the 10 required will not be carried over to help meet the requirements of the following cycle.

45. Can a DBA/Business/Non-Profit open a Choice Rewards Checking Account?

No. Choice Rewards Checking is currently only available for individual members.

46. Is Overdraft Privilege available for Choice Rewards Checking Accounts?

Yes, overdraft protection is available for Choice Rewards Checking accounts.

47. Will all Choice Rewards Checking Account members be on the same cycle period?

Yes. The monthly statement cycle for fulfilling account activity requirements is considered to be from items posted to your account on the last day of the previous statement cycle through the next to last day of the current statement cycle.

48. How do I change my ATM PIN?

To change your ATM PIN, please visit one of the following branches: Factory, Commerce or Lowville.

49. How can I obtain my password for Online Banking?

Please call 866-310-NFCU or stop into a NFCU branch to obtain your password. You will be issued a temporary password and then you'll be able to change your password upon logging into Online Banking.

50. How can I obtain my ATM PIN?

Call 866-310-NFCU or stop into a NFCU branch and a new pin can be reissued to you.

51. Is there a minimum age to open a Choice Rewards Checking account?

You may open a Choice Rewards Checking account at 16 years old with a legal guardian signing on the account. You may open Choice Rewards Checking at 18 years old as an individual account holder.

52. If my Choice Rewards Checking Account balance goes negative, will I still be able to qualify for my rewards during that statement cycle?

Yes.

53. What if my new debit card doesn't arrive until late in the statement cycle and I don't have time to earn my rewards? Will I still get them?

No. You must fulfill all requirements in order to receive rewards. You will be eligible to earn rewards the following month.

54. How can NFCU offer this much in interest for Choice Rewards Checking?

As a member-owned financial cooperative, Northern FCU returns earnings to members in the form of higher interest rates. The Choice Rewards Checking account also reduces costs and helps members go green by utilizing services such as e-statements and online banking.

55. Will my member number be changed by switching to Choice Rewards Checking?

No, your member number will remain the same.

56. Will I have to order new checks when switching to Choice Rewards Checking?

No.

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