FAQ

USALLIANCE Financial

System and Web Browser Requirements for Online Banking

What should I do to maintain the security of my personal and financial information?
What hardware, software, and services do I need for Online Banking?
What is 128-bit encryption, and why do I need it?
How can I tell if my browser supports 128-bit encryption?

How to Sign Up for Online Banking

Is Online Banking just for personal accounts, or can businesses also use Online Banking?
How do I get a Sign-On ID and password for Online Banking?
How long does the enrollment process take?
Can I choose my own Sign-On ID and password?
What do I do if I forget my password?
What do I do if I cannot find my Sign-On ID and password?

What You Can Do with Online Banking

What functions are available online for my accounts?
I have both business accounts and personal accounts can I transfer between them?
Can other people access my financial information?

How to Access Your Bank Accounts Online

How do I log in to Online Banking?
Why is it so important for me to sign off from Online Banking?
Is Online Banking available all the time?
Can I use my browser's Back and Forward buttons to go from one Online Banking page to another
What account information can I see online?
Do I have any control over the account detail that is displayed?
My Accounts Overview page shows an account header titled "Investment Accounts". What is this?
I am visually impaired and cannot see my online banking account what do I do?

Question #1: What should I do to maintain the security of my personal and financial information?
Answer:: At USALLIANCE Financial, we understand that security is one of our primary responsibilities. With this in mind, we have taken the necessary steps to provide our members with state-of-the-art security for their Online Banking transactions. Our infrastructure, coupled with the security features built into your browser and operating system, can provide you with a secure environment but only if you do your part. To help maintain the security of your accounts, follow these guidelines:

Maintain the security of your Sign-On ID and password.

Protect your computer from malicious programs and intruders by running an anti-virus utility and maintaining a firewall.
Make sure you have applied the latest security patches to your web browser and operating system, especially if you use Internet Explorer and Windows.

If you use Internet Explorer, consider using an alternative web browser, such as Netscape.
Protect yourself from e-mail fraud.

For more detailed instructions on each of these guidelines, refer to our Security Information.
Question #2: What hardware, software, and services do I need for Online Banking?
Answer:: In order to provide you with the maximum level of security, we require that you use a browser that supports 128-bit encryption. Browsers that fulfill this requirement include: Microsoft Internet Explorer - Version 5.0 or higher. Note that not all Version 5.x browsers come with support for 128-bit encryption. You may need to upgrade your browser to this level of encryption.

Netscape Navigator - Version 4.08 or higher, except for Navigator 6 (Navigator 6 is not compatible with the Online Banking service). Note that not all versions of Netscape come with support for 128-bit encryption. You may need to upgrade your browser to this level of encryption.

AOL - Version 4.0 or higher. Note that not all versions of AOL come with support for 128-bit encryption. You may need to upgrade your browser to this level of encryption. Upgrades for 128-bit encryption are available directly from Microsoft, Netscape and AOL via their respective web sites.
Question #3: What is 128-bit encryption, and why do I need it?
Answer:: Encryption is the process of encoding a message so that only the sender and the recipient can tell what the message really says. A simple way to encrypt this sentence, for example, would be to substitute a number for each letter, according to the position of that letter in the alphabet: 1 for "a", 2 for "b", and so on. As you can imagine, this method of encryption could be easily decoded.

USALLIANCE Financial uses a combination of security technologies to protect its members, their transactions, and the Institution itself. Each member is given a unique Sign-On ID and password that they must use in order to enter the Online Banking service. You, the member, play a key role in maintaining security by ensuring that your Sign-On ID and password remain confidential at all times.

A Verisign™ Digital Certificate and your browser's Secure Socket Layer (SSL) ensure 128-bit encryption of your banking transactions. Firewalls at each point of entry prevent intrusion into the Online Banking service.

The 128-bit encryption enforced by our Verisign™ Digital Certificate is the highest level of encryption currently available for public use in the United States. To guarantee that you get this level of protection, we require that you use a browser that supports 128-bit encryption with our Online Banking service.
Question #4: How can I tell if my browser supports 128-bit encryption?
Answer:: If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer, do the following:

Pull down your browser's Help menu and select About Internet Explorer. A pop-up window will appear with information about Internet Explorer.

In that window, look for a line that begins with the words "Cipher Strength". If the cipher strength is any less than 128-bit, then you must upgrade your browser in order to use Online Banking. You can go directly to Microsoft's web site and obtain the upgrade by clicking on the words "Upgrade Information" that appear in parentheses next to the cipher strength.

If you are using Netscape Navigator, do the following:

Pull down your browser's Help menu and select About Navigator. A page will appear with information about Netscape Navigator.

In the left-hand column, look for a line that states "Contains encryption software from RSA Data Security, Inc. Copyright © 1994 RSA Data Security, Inc. All Rights Reserved. " Below that line, in bold you should find the following text: "This version supports U.S. security with RSA Public Key Cryptography, MD2, MD5, RC2-CBC, RC4, DES-CBC, DES-EDE3-CBC . " If you find this exact text, then your browser supports 128-bit encryption. If this line of text begins: "This version supports international security...", then your browser does not support 128-bit encryption, and you will need to upgrade your version of Navigator. You can get an upgrade from the Netscape web site. (Note: Do not attempt to use Netscape Navigator Version 6; it is not compatible with the Online Banking service.)

If you are using AOL, you will know that your browser does not support 128-bit encryption if you receive a 403 error when you try to use Online Banking. If you receive this error, go to Keyword: 128 browser. Follow the instructions for downloading and installing a browser that supports 128-bit encryption.
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Question #5: Is Online Banking just for personal accounts, or can businesses also use Online Banking?
Answer:: Online Banking is for anyone, individuals and businesses. We provide separate enrollment options for individuals and businesses.

Note that due to banking regulations, you cannot create a single enrollment that includes both business accounts for which tax is reported under a Tax ID Number (TIN) and personal accounts for which tax is reported under your Social Security Number (SSN).
Question #6: How do I get a Sign-On ID and password for Online Banking?
Answer:: In order get a Sign-On ID and password for Online Banking, you need to enroll your account(s) using our online enrollment form. To enroll, go to the USALLIANCE Financial web site and do the following:

Click on the Enroll Online button in the navigation bar.

Review the Online Banking Online Agreement, and click Continue.

Fill out the enrollment form and submit it.

If you are successfully validated, you will be granted immediate access to the Online Banking system. If for some reason you are not validated, you will be contacted by a USAlliance Credit Union representative to complete your enrollment.

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Question #7: How long does the enrollment process take?
Answer:: If you are successfully validated, you will be granted immediate access to the Online Banking system. If assistance is needed for enrollment, we typically contact you with your Sign-On ID and temporary password no later than the next business day.
Question #8: Can I choose my own Sign-On ID and password?
Answer:: You can choose your own Sign-On ID. If you enroll yourself, you can choose your own password. When we enroll your account(s), we will provide you with a temporary password. When you log in for the first time, the Online Banking service will require that you change your password. This means that everyone who uses Online Banking gets to choose their own password.

Passwords must have at least one special character, one numeric character, one lowercase alphabetic character and one uppercase alphabetic character. Your new password must be between 8 and 15 characters in length. Spaces are not permitted. Passwords are case sensitive, so a password of "abc123zyx" is not the same as "ABC123ZYX".

The Online Banking service may require that you change your password every 90 days.
Question #9: What do I do if I forget my password?
Answer:: If you know your Sign-On ID, but you forget your password, you can call a Member Services Representative at USALLIANCE Financial. Representatives can be reached Monday through Friday from 7:30AM to 8:00PM and Saturday 9:00AM to 3:00PM. You must know your Sign-On ID in order for us to reset your password (if you have forgotten or lost your Sign-On ID, please refer to the next question). Please note that banking regulations do not allow us to send you a Sign-On ID or password via email, because email is not sufficiently secure for transmitting this information.

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Question #10: What do I do if I cannot find my Sign-On ID and password?
Answer:: If you forget your Sign-On ID, or you forget both your Sign-On ID and your password, you have two options: First, you can visit one of our branches and speak to a Member Services Representative (MSR). The MSR can assist you with this problem. Second, you can call a Member Services Representative at USALLIANCE Financial. Representatives can be reached Monday through Friday from 7:30AM to 8:00PM and Saturday 9:00AM to 3:00PM
Question #11: What functions are available online for my accounts?
Answer:: When you enroll your accounts for Online Banking, you will be given the following functions, based on the type of account:

Account type Online functions

Checking Bill payment, inquiry, transfer, stop payment

Money Manager Inquiry, transfer, stop payment

Health Savings Stop payments, Transfer (in)

Savings Bill payment, inquiry, transfer, stop payment

Other Savings Inquiry, transfer

Club Accounts Inquiry, transfer (in)

SMA Legal Inquiry only

Retirement Inquiry only

Certificates Inquiry only

Consumer Loans Inquiry, Loan payment

Home Equity Loans Inquiry, Loan payment, Principal payment

Consumer Line of Credit Inquiry, Loan payment, Transfer (out), Paydown payment

Commercial Real Estate Inquiry, Loan payment

Real Estate Loans Inquiry, Loan payment

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Question #12: I have both business accounts and personal accounts; can I transfer between them?
Answer:: If your business has its own tax ID number, (TIN), then you cannot transfer between your business and personal accounts. Banking regulations prevent USAlliance from allowing this type of transaction You can, however, use online bill payment to solve this problem. As a person, you can pay your business; and your business can pay you as a person
Question #13: Can other people access my financial information?
Answer:: We give you a Sign-On ID and password so that only you have access to your accounts through Online Banking. All banking information is transferred to your computer is done so over a secure connection.
Keep in mind, however, that you yourself have a critical role in maintaining the privacy and security of your account. To help ensure the security of your financial information, follow these rules:

Do not give your Sign-On ID and password to anyone. If two or more people share a Sign-On ID and password, USALLIANCE Financial has no way to tell which of those people actually performed a given transaction. You are responsible for any transaction performed using your Sign-On ID and password.

Do not leave your Sign-On ID and password out in the open where anyone passing by can see it.

Do not leave your computer unattended while you are logged in to Online Banking. If you leave your computer unattended while you are signed on, anyone passing by could use your computer to perform any of the transactions that you are authorized to perform.

Always sign off at the end of an Online Banking session. This will terminate your session, which will prevent someone from using your browser's Back button to return to a session that has not yet timed out.

In general, all of these are common-sense rules. Use good judgment to ensure that your financial information remains secure. USALLIANCE Financial is not responsible for nonpublic personal information or financial information that becomes public because you did not maintain the security of your Sign-On ID and password. USALLIANCE Financial is also not responsible for financial loss that occurs because you did not maintain the security of your Sign-On ID and password.
Question #14: How do I log in to Online Banking?
Answer:: To log in to Online Banking, do the following:

Click on the button labeled Sign On. This will take you to the opening page of the Online Banking service.

Enter your Sign-On ID in the box next to the label Sign-On ID.

Click on the button that says Enter.

Enter your password in the box next to the label Password.

Click on the button that says Sign On.

Wait until the Online Banking service displays your account list.

If you have a problem logging in, refer to our Troubleshooting section.
Question #15: Why is it so important for me to sign out from Online Banking?
Answer:: It is very important that you end each Online Banking session by signing out. To sign out, click on the Sign Out link on the upper right hand corner of any Online Banking page. This will end your Online Banking session.
Why is this so important? Because of the way the Web works, signing out is the only way the Online Banking service knows that you have ended your session. If you leave Online Banking without signing out and go directly to another web site the Online Banking service keeps your session alive for up to 20 minutes while it waits to see if there is something more you want to do. This is not good for two reasons: First, it is a security risk; if you leave your PC unattended during this time, someone could use your browser's Back button to return to your active session. Second, if you try to sign on again before the Online Banking service has timed out your session, you will receive an error message.
Question #16: Is Online Banking available all the time?
Answer:: Online Banking is generally available for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. We perform system backups and maintenance between the hours of 2:00AM and 4:00AM each day. We occasionally have other scheduled maintenance periods; we will notify you of scheduled maintenance. During backups and maintenance, the Online Banking service is not available. The service may also be unavailable due to unscheduled maintenance or other technical problems, but we try our best to make these interruptions as infrequent as possible.
For a complete description of hours of operation and system availability, refer to the Online Agreement.

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Question #17: Can I use my browser's Back and Forward buttons to go from one Online Banking page to another
Answer:: In general, you should never use your browser's Back or Forward buttons to go from one Online Banking page to another. If you are doing a transaction such as paying a bill, or transferring money use the buttons at the bottom of the page to either complete the transaction or cancel it. Use the buttons at the top of a page to perform a function related to that page, such as Add Payee or List Payees. If you are viewing information and want to go to another page, use the links on the left-hand side of each page.
Question #18: What account information can I see online?
Answer:: Online Banking shows you a list of your accounts, summary information about each account, a Transaction Activity screen, lists of pending bill payments and transfers, and lists of your payees. Initially, Online Banking will display up to 90 days of history for your accounts. As you use Online Banking, your transaction history will accumulate. Online Banking stores a year of transaction history by the time you have been using it for ten months.
Online Banking reports allow you to see summary and detail information about your accounts. You can assign transactions to categories that you define, and then report on transactions using those categories.
Question #19: Do I have any control over the account detail that is displayed?
Answer:: The My Profile and Page Preferences links on the left-hand side of each Online Banking page allows you to set the number of lines displayed on each page of your register as well as the number of days displayed in your history.
The Transaction Detail report allows you to select transactions by Account, Date Range, Category, or Preset Date Range. This report also allows you to specify the sort order for transactions.
Question #20: My Accounts Overview page shows an account header titled "Investment Accounts". What is this?
Answer:: If you have an account with CFS*, the Credit Union's third-party provider of investment services, this Investment account title provides convenient access to the "My Portfolio" portal directly from Online Banking. Your investment information will open in a new window. You will have the capability to view more detailed information on each investment simply by clicking on it. Please note that to conduct online trading, you will need to log on to the CFS website.
If you do not have a CFS account and would like learn more about the services available to USAlliance members, please contact CUSO Financial Services (CFS) at 1-877-287-6638.

*Non-deposit investment products and services are offered through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (“CFS”), a registered broker-dealer (Member FINRA/SIPC) and SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Products offered through CFS are not guarantees or obligations of the Credit Union and may involve investment risk including possible loss of principal. Investment Representatives are registered through CFS. The Credit Union has contracted with CFS to make non-deposit investment products and services available to Credit Union members.
Question #21: I am visually impaired and cannot see my online banking accounts what do I do?
Answer:: You will need to change the contrast on your system see the below instructions on how to do this.

How to get high contrast if I am using Internet Explorer and Windows 10
1. Type high contrast setting inside the windows search which is next to the start menu.
2. Click the setting and it should bring you to a new page.
3. Click the down arrow under choose a theme and select the contrast and click apply.

How to get high contrast if I am using Internet Explorer and Windows 8.1
1. Move your cursor to the right hand top of your screen.
2. Click on settings.
3. Click on change PC settings at the bottom of the screen.
4. Click Ease of Access.
5. Click the High Contrast Option.
6. Click the down arrow under choose a theme and select the contrast and click apply.

How to get high contrast if I am using Internet Explorer and Windows 8
1. Move your cursor to the right hand top of your screen.
2. Click on settings.
3. Click on change PC settings at the bottom of the screen.
4. Click Ease of Access.
5. Move the High Contrast Slider on to enable High Contrast.

How to get high contrast if I am using Google Chrome
1. Click here to download High Contrast for Google Chrome.
2. Click Add To Chrome
3. This will then create an extension in the top right hand corner of Google Chrome that is a circle with half the circle shaded and the other half not shaded. Click this.
4. If at this point it shows disabled click the enable button.
5. Then choose the contrast scheme you wish to have.