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Frequently Asked Questions
Here to help, every step of the way. Not finding what you're looking for? Feel free to contact us.
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How do I apply for membership?
You have several options, whether online or in-person.
Online Options:
Apply online here. You’ll need an active checking account with routing and account number to fund the membership fee and any initial deposit. You’ll also need to be able to provide supporting documentation to prove your eligibility.
In-person Options:
You can apply for membership at any of our three branches. You’ll need:
• $5 membership fee
• Photo ID
• Proof of eligibility (if not established by your address on the ID)If you’re opening a membership with at least one joint owner, or a business account with multiple authorized users, you don’t have to come in all together. But you will need to bring copies of ID for everyone who will be on the account, and a pre-filled membership application, including signatures. You can download a membership application packet here.
Email:
Please call our Contact Center to discuss secured electronic options.
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What documents do I need to apply for membership?
You’ll need the following information during the application process:
Proof of Residency
The following documents are acceptable proof of residency (dated within the last 45 days). ONE document from this list is sufficient.
- Home Utility Bill (cable, phone, internet – does not include cell phone)
- Existing Car or Boat Registration
- Rental or Lease Agreement (signed by owner and tenant)
- Voter Registration (Packet received in the mail)
- Change of Address confirmation by the U.S. Postal Service
- Jury Summons or Court Order
- Deed or Title to Residential Real Property
- Property Tax Bill or Statement
If you can’t provide one of the documents above, you can provide TWO of the following documents to satisfy the Proof of Residency requirement.
- Cell Phone Bill
- Medical Documents
- Employment Documents (W‑2’s, Pay Stubs, Offer Letters)
- Insurance Documents
- Bank and Financial Institution Records
- Mortgage Bill (ex. HOA Dues Statements, HOA Master Insurance Policy, etc)
- IRS or California FTB Tax Return
- Document issued by a Government Agency (local, state, federal): ex. SSI award letters
- Original Copy of an Approved Claim for Homeowners’ Property Tax Exemption (BOE-266) Form filed with a local California County Assessor
- School Documents (includes Date of Birth) such as Proof of Payment of Resident Tuition at a Public Institution of Higher Education in California
- A No Fee Identification Card Eligibility Verification (DL933) form, completed and signed
- Letter attesting that the applicant lives in a CA shelter, non-profit entity, faith-based organization, employer or US. Government agency
Proof of Eligibility
- Valid unexpired government-issued form of photo identification (e.g. driver’s license, passport, state identification card)
Please note: if the address on your license does not match your current address, we will need proof of residency as mentioned above - Proof of Eligibility to join the credit union (you must be able to prove that you live, work, worship, or attend school in San Francisco, San Mateo or Marin County.) If your ID does not show this, you can provide a pay stub or letter from your company on company letterhead, or for students, your School Registration or a Valid Student ID Card for San Francisco, San Mateo, or Marin County.
- Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number
- In-branch Applications: Cash or check for both funding your new account and your one-time $5 membership fee
If you’re opening a Trust Account, this account can only be opened in person at one of our branches, by fax, or by mail. You’ll need to provide copies of the Trust Documents or the Certification of Trust. To change an existing SF Fire Account to a Trust Account, you will need to complete a new membership application.
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Who can join SF Fire Credit Union?
If you belong to any one of the following groups, you are eligible for membership at SF Fire Credit Union:
- Individuals who live, work, worship, or attend school in San Francisco, San Mateo, or Marin County
- San Francisco Firefighters (Active or Retired)
- Firefighters in San Francisco, San Mateo, or Marin County (Active or Retired)
- Members and Employees of Local IAFF 1171 – Santa Clara City Firefighters
- Active members of the California State Firefighters’ Association
- Family of SF Fire Credit Union members (Spouses and Domestic Partners; Parents, Grand- and Great-Grand Parents, Children, Grand- and Great-Grand Children; Siblings; Fathers‑, Mothers‑, and Siblings-in-Law; and the Spouses, Domestic Partners and Children of the family members listed.)
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What does it cost to join?
There is a one-time $5 membership fee. This is per member; if you open an individual membership and an additional joint membership where you are the primary owner, you would pay just one $5 membership fee. If you and your partner each open individual memberships, you would each pay a $5 membership fee.
Accounts
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Where do I find the Routing Number?
The routing number is identical for all SF Fire Credit Union accounts: 321076506. You can find the routing number displayed in the bottom right hand corner of most pages within Online Banking. You’ll also find it in the teal box that appears at the bottom of many pages on this public website.
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How do I find my Checking Account Number?
You’ll find your checking account number on the bottom of your checks. If you don’t have your checks with you, you can find it in Online Banking. From the Online Banking Dashboard, click on your checking account. This opens a separate panel that shows your recent transaction history. At the top of the list of transactions, you will see a link that says Account Details. Click on this link, and the displayed information will change. The account number for a checking account is a fourteen-digit number, listed as the “MICR Account Number”.
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How do I find my Savings Account Number?
From the Dashboard in Online Banking, click on your savings account. This opens a separate panel that shows your recent transaction history. At the top, click on the Account Details link. Your Savings Account number will be your member number followed by a 4‑digit product ID number; for example, if you have a Tiered Savings, you’ll see your member number, a dash, and 0005.
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Can I open additional checking and savings accounts through Online Banking?
Yes.
- From the menu in Online Banking or the Mobile Banking app, click on Accounts and then select Open an Account.
- Click “Apply Here” on the Checking, Savings and Certificates tile.
- If you have more than one Member ID # associated with your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number, you’ll have the chance to choose which one should be associated with the new account.
- A panel will open to the right to let you choose between three categories: Term Certificates, Checking and Savings accounts, or a new membership.
- Choose the category and then the account type you wish to open, and follow the on-screen prompts.
Term Certificates will require a minimum $250 deposit from an available funding source. If you do not have funds available in an account at SF Fire Credit Union, you will not be able to open a Term Certificate online until you make a deposit or transfer funds in from an external account using Transfer & Pay » Make a Transfer.
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What account numbers should I use for new direct deposits or electronic transactions with merchants?
If you’re setting up either a new direct deposit or a new recurring payment or transfer with another merchant or institution, you should use either:
- The 14-digit MICR Account Number (the Check ID Number) – you’ll find this number on the bottom of your checks as well as under Account Details in Online & Mobile Banking
- Member Number–Product ID (xxxxxx-xxxx) – for any savings or loan accounts, you’ll use the member number, a dash, and the four-digit product ID. So to set up a deposit to a Tiered Savings account under member number xxxxxx, you would enter “xxxxxx-0005”. You’ll find this account number under Account Details in Online & Mobile Banking.
When setting up the new deposit or transaction, please be sure to specify the account type: Savings, Checking, or Loan. If the other institution can’t use dashes in their systems, just omit it.
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How many transfers can I make from savings accounts per month?
6 Transfers Per Calendar Month
Based on the requirements of Federal Regulation D, you are limited to 6 electronic or remote transfers out of a Savings or Tiered Savings account per calendar month. Once you reach this limit, you will not be able to transfer from your savings accounts via Online & Mobile Banking, and any transfers you scheduled ahead of time will fail.
Which Transfers Count Towards Regulation D
The following transfers out of Savings or Tiered Savings accounts are limited by the Regulation D limit:
- One-time or Recurring Transfers Scheduled in Online & Mobile Banking
- Transfers Initiated via Phone or Live Web Chat
- Overdraft Protection Transfers to a Checking Account
- Automatic Debits by Merchants or Other Financial Institutions
Options for Additional Transfers
- Transfer Funds in Our Branches
- Transfer Funds at an ATM
Please note that the Regulation D limit applies to individual accounts, not your membership. If you have multiple savings accounts, you can make up to 6 transfers from each savings account per calendar month.
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What is REG D?
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How do I find my investment account information?
Any investments you have set up through our Investment Services department are accessed through a separate Investments tool, or ‘widget’, rather than appearing on your Dashboard with your deposit and loan accounts. You can add this widget through Online Banking by choosing it from the list of available options. You can reach this list in two ways:
- Click on Settings from the menu linked to your photo and Username in the upper right, then click on the Widgets tab
- Click “More …” from the list of widgets on the Dashboard and then selecting “Widget Options.”
Once you find the Investments widget in the list of available options, click “Activate” to add it to your active widgets. You can also click the star icon to make it a ‘favorite’ — one of the top 5 widgets that automatically appear on your Dashboard.
After adding and opening the Investments widget, if you still don’t see your investment account information, please contact us and our Investment Services department can make sure your accounts are properly linked.
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Can I hide accounts I don’t want to see?
Yes. If you have an active account you don’t want to see listed in Online Banking (maybe you’re a joint owner on a child’s account or maybe it’s an older account you don’t use often), you can Hide the account. This will prevent the account from appearing in the Dashboard, Accounts, Transfers, and Bill Pay widgets. Don’t worry; you won’t lose any transaction data and it will all still be there should you decide to come back and un-hide this account.
- From the Dashboard, click on the desired account
- In the panel that opens, click the pencil icon next to the account name
- Check the ‘Hide This Account’ box
If you later wish to un-hide the account:
- Click on Settings
- Click on the Accounts tab
- Find the hidden account in the list and click the pencil icon next to it
- Un-check the ‘Hide This Account’ box
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What are Account Nicknames?
You’re more than a number; your accounts can be as well. Adding Account Nicknames makes it easy to distinguish between your accounts. This can be especially useful if you have multiple memberships and multiple checking or savings accounts to track. For example, you could add nicknames such as “My Own Checking” and “Our Joint Checking”. Nicknames are useful when reviewing your transaction history or scheduling transfers or bill pay transactions, so you can make sure you’re selecting the account you wanted.
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How do I add Account Nicknames?
You can add or edit Account Nicknames in either Online Banking or our Mobile Banking app:
In Online Banking:
You have two options for editing Account Nicknames in Online Banking:
- Click on the desired account from the Dashboard
- In the new panel that opens with transaction details, click the pencil icon next to the account name
- Change the account nickname and click “Save”
Via Settings:
Alternatively, you can follow these steps.
- Click on Settings (found by clicking on your name in the upper right-hand corner)
- Click on Accounts
- Click the pencil icon next to the desired account
- Change the account nickname and click “Save”
In the Mobile Banking App:
- Click on Settings in the menu
- Click on Accounts
- Select the desired account
- Change the account nickname, click “Done,” then click “Save”
You can also assign each account a custom color that appears on the Dashboard for Online Banking and your list of accounts in the Mobile Banking application.
Please note: You can assign nicknames to any type of deposit accounts (checking, savings, term certificates). You can also assign nicknames to some, but not all, loan account types; for instance, First Mortgages and Business Loans cannot have nicknames assigned.
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How do I add a note about a transaction?
In Online Banking, click on a particular transaction to open a Summary box with additional transaction details. If you click on the pencil icon in the lower right-hand corner, you’ll see a Memo field appear in which you can add a note (for example, ‘movie tickets’ that will be saved for the transaction. It will subsequently appear in the transaction summary in both Online and Mobile Banking.
In Mobile Banking, click on a transaction to open up the Transaction Details box. Click on the Memo field to enter a note.
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How do I categorize my transactions?
To take full advantage of the Budgets feature, you’ll need to categorize your transactions accurately. When you review your transactions under a given account, all transactions will have a small box below the merchant description. This box will either default to a given category, such as Utilities, or it will say Add A Category.
Clicking this box will open a pop-up window where you can choose either a broad main category or a more specific sub-category.
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How does a Bump Up Term Certificate work?
Our 18-Month Term Certificate is a Bump Up Certificate. If the offered rates for new certificates of that type go up during the 18 months before your certificate matures, you can request to increase your current interest rate to match the new rate for the remainder of the term, with a limit of one such increase per term. Send us a Secured Message through Online & Mobile Banking, or give us a call, contact us by chat, or stop by the branch to submit your request.
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How much of a deposit do I need to open a Term Certificate?
You need a minimum of $250 to open a regular Term Certificate, and a minimum of $100 to open a Traditional or Roth IRA Term Certificate.
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When can I add more funds to a Term Certificate?
When a certificate matures, or reaches the end of the term (3 months, 6 months, 1 year, etc), you have a 10 business day grace period in which you can add funds, withdraw some or all of the funds, or change the term without penalty.
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What happens if I need to withdraw from a Term Certificate before it matures?
While there may be some exceptions, such as a beneficiary withdrawing from an IRA Term Certificate when the member passes away, there is usually a penalty for withdrawing from a Term Certificate before it matures. The penalty:
- Equals 45 days of dividends for a term less than 1 Year
- Equals 180 days of dividends for a term of 1 Year or more
- Is calculated based on the amount withdrawn; if you only withdraw a portion of the Term Certificate (subject to the minimum balance requirements), the penalty will only be based on the amount of the withdrawal
Debit & Credit Cards
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How long does it take to get a new debit or credit card?
Once you’ve ordered a new debit or credit card, you should receive it within ten business days. Please ensure your mailing address is kept up to date.
Expedited shipping options may be available, but fees may apply.
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How do I activate debit or credit cards?
When you receive a new debit or credit card, it will include an activation sticker with instructions for activating your card via the phone. You can also instantly activate the card using the Card Management feature in Online & Mobile Banking.
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Can I manage my cards online?
Yes. The Card Management tool in Online and Mobile Banking allow you to:
- Activate new cards.
- Set or change a PIN (it takes 10–15 minutes for the PIN to take effect).
- Load a travel note for either domestic or international travel (you’ll need to have specified a preferred contact phone number under Profile>Contact Information in Online & Mobile Banking).
- Block and unblock your cards at any time, instantly (in case you misplace your card and want peace of mind while you hunt for it).
- Control settings for real-time alerts for your cards, such as choosing to get alerts for all authorizations or just authorizations that exceed a specified dollar amount.
- Control how you receive those alerts, choosing between Push Notification, SMS Text, or Email.
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I’m traveling. How do I let you know I’ll be using my cards somewhere unusual?
You can load a travel note for either domestic or international travel using the Card Management feature within Online & Mobile Banking. You will first need to specify a preferred contact phone number, which can be done under Profile>Contact Information.
You can also load a travel note by calling us, visiting the branch, or contacting us via live chat.
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How do I access my Credit Card Rewards online?
You’ll find a Credit Card Rewards link in both Online & Mobile Banking which will take you to the rewards redemption site. You’ll find this link under Tools & Resources.
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What’s a Tap to Pay card?
Tap to Pay cards let you make payments without running your card through a terminal. It’s a touch-free payment method; you simply hold the card within 2 inches of the Contactless/Tap to Pay symbol on the terminal (in other words, you don’t have to literally tap the card against anything). In some cases, it may take a second or two for the transaction to complete, so don’t pull the card away too quickly. To indicate when the transaction is complete, the payment terminal may beep, display a green checkmark, or flash a green light.
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Is Tap to Pay secure?
Tap to Pay cards are as secure as EMV chip cards because they both use the same security standards for transactions. Whether you’re using a Tap to Pay card or inserting your EMV chip card, the sensitive information sent is encrypted.
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I’ve heard Contactless Cards can be skimmed remotely. Should I be worried?
No. While it is technically possible for someone to skim information remotely from your Tap to Pay card, they would need to be extremely close to you with very specific equipment to do so. Additionally, any information they could skim could only be used for a single fraudulent transaction, due to the nature of the encryption used for Tap to Pay transactions. For these reasons, most criminals prefer easier targets.
Precautions you can take include:
- Stay aware of your surroundings, especially of any strange person getting very close to you.
- Keep your card(s) in a front pocket.
- Buy an RFID-blocking (Radio Frequency Identification) card sleeve, wallet or purse.
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What’s the difference between Tap to Pay and Contactless?
Technically, you use a Tap to Pay card that is embedded with a Contactless chip. However, the terms Tap to Pay and Contactless are basically interchangeable.
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What if a merchant doesn’t have the Tap to Pay option?
You’ll still have the option to swipe the card for a magstripe read or dip it in an EMV chip reader. You’re not losing any options, just gaining the contactless option.
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How can I tell if a payment terminal is equipped for Tap to Pay?
You’ll see a Contactless/Tap to Pay Symbol, either on the terminal or displayed prominently by the merchant. It looks something like a Wi-Fi symbol (three or four concentric arcs of different sizes) turned sideways.
Term Certificates
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How much of a deposit do I need to open a Term Certificate?
You need a minimum of $250 to open a regular Term Certificate, and a minimum of $100 to open a Traditional or Roth IRA Term Certificate.
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When can I add more funds to a Term Certificate?
When a certificate matures, or reaches the end of the term (3 months, 6 months, 1 year, etc), you have a 10 business day grace period in which you can add funds, withdraw some or all of the funds, or change the term without penalty.
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How does a Bump Up Term Certificate work?
Our 18-Month Term Certificate is a Bump Up Certificate. If the offered rates for new certificates of that type go up during the 18 months before your certificate matures, you can request to increase your current interest rate to match the new rate for the remainder of the term, with a limit of one such increase per term. Send us a Secured Message through Online & Mobile Banking, or give us a call, contact us by chat, or stop by the branch to submit your request.
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What happens if I need to withdraw from a Term Certificate before it matures?
While there may be some exceptions, such as a beneficiary withdrawing from an IRA Term Certificate when the member passes away, there is usually a penalty for withdrawing from a Term Certificate before it matures. The penalty:
- Equals 45 days of dividends for a term less than 1 Year
- Equals 180 days of dividends for a term of 1 Year or more
- Is calculated based on the amount withdrawn; if you only withdraw a portion of the Term Certificate (subject to the minimum balance requirements), the penalty will only be based on the amount of the withdrawal
Online Banking
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How do I reset a forgotten password?
When you click Sign In to open the log-in panel, you’ll see a Forgot Password link. Once you verify some out of wallet information, you’ll be able to generate a one-time code. This will be sent as an SMS or read to you as a voice call.
After generating and verifying the one-time code, you’ll be able to set a new permanent password and proceed.
Please note that SMS messages may be subject to your carrier’s message rates.
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How do I reset a forgotten Username?
When you click Sign In to open the log-in panel, you’ll see a “Forgot Username” link. You’ll need to confirm your identity using selected out-of-wallet information.
After you successfully verify your ID, your Username will be displayed on screen.
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Where can I check for alerts about service interruptions?
Details and updates regarding service interruptions can be found at https://status.sffirecu.org. You can Subscribe To Updates for an incident. You can get updates by email or text message
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How do I clear the cache or cookies on a browser?
If your browser is having trouble loading our site, that might indicate you need to clear the cache or cookies. Different browsers will have different steps to do so. Here are the steps for some common browsers:
Google Chrome (version 77.0.3865.90)
- Click the circle in the upper right-hand corner containing three vertical dots. This opens a menu.
- Click “Settings”
- If “Advanced” has a down arrow next to it, click this to expand your list of Advanced Options
- Click “Privacy and security”
- Click “Clear browsing data”
- Mark the Basic or Advanced Options you want to apply and click “Clear data”
- You may need to close and re-start your browser for changes to take effect
Safari for iOS
- Click on the Safari drop-down menu and select Preferences.
- Click the Advanced tab. Select the Show Develop menu in menu bar checkbox and close the Preferences window.
- Select the Develop drop-down menu. Click Empty Cache.
- Note: You may want to also clear your browser history.
Microsoft Edge
- Select the Hub icon (three horizontal lines at top bar in front of a star), click the History menu option, and then click Clear history.
- Select “Cookies and saved website data” and “Cached data and files”. After the two are marked click Clear.
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How do I know if I need to update my Mobile Banking App?
When you download the app for the first time, your device should allow you to specify if you want updates to be automatically downloaded for you. If not, you can always visit the App Store or the Google Play Store and see if you have the latest version. The current version number of your app will appear at the bottom of the launch screen when you first open the app.
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What browsers can I use for Online Banking?
Most browsers should be compatible with Online Banking, if they meet these minimum requirements:
- 128-bit encryption
- Cookies
- JavaScript
You can check the current list of all supported Desktop and Mobile browsers—and browser versions—by clicking on the Browser Support link found in the lower left-hand corner of the initial log-in page (part of the black bar with general information). This link will open a separate window with the browser support information, including an analysis of whether your current browser is supported.
You can also use this link to test your browser directly.
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What devices are compatible with Mobile Banking?
The Mobile Banking App has the following minimum requirements:
- Android Devices: Requires Android 5.0 and up
- iOS Devices: Requires iOS 11.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Online banking is also designed to work with touch-based operating systems commonly found on tablet devices. We support the following tablet based operating systems:
- Chrome for Android: 2 most recent versions
- Mobile Safari for iOS devices: 2 most recent version
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Why do I see log-in attempts that are not mine?
If you have connected your Online Banking account with us to third-party sites such as Mint.com, you will see log-in attempts recorded when those sites connect to your account to import your information.
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How do I download transactions to third-party applications like Quicken?
From your Dashboard in Online Banking, if you click on a specific account, a separate panel opens, displaying a list of your recent transactions. At the top of this list, you will see two icons: one to Print Transactions and one to Export Transactions. Clicking the Export Transactions icon will open a pop-up window that allows you to choose the file type you need.
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How do I choose a specific date range of transactions to download to third-party applications?
The CSV file option allows you to select a specific date range in the download window. Quickbooks and Quicken do not offer a date range selector, but you can set a specific date range by using the built-in filters for transaction history.
- Click on the desired account to open the transaction history
- Select the FILTER icon (it looks like a funnel) next to the search bar
- Filter transactions by the desired date range (or any other criteria)
- Select the Export Transactions icon and choose the desired file type.
The downloaded QFX or QBO file should now match the filtered transaction dates.
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How can I require additional verification steps for Online Banking access?
You have the option to “Require Two-Factor Authentication For Each Login”. You can toggle this option on and off through Security Settings under Profile in Online & Mobile Banking. This means that even if you ask the website to “Remember This Device”, you’ll always need to verify a one-time security code sent by SMS or phone call, or use a Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) App such as DUO or Google Authenticator, in addition to verifying your password.
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What is Two-Factor Authentication?
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is an extra layer of protection used to ensure the security of online accounts beyond just a username and password. It provides heightened security for certain higher-risk online activities, including logging in to your Online & Mobile Banking account or setting up high-dollar transfers to external accounts.
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Why is email no longer an option for Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?
With email accounts proving susceptible to being taken over or compromised, they no longer meet SF Fire Credit Union’s standards for a secure method of Two-Factor Authentication.
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What are the current options for Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?
Options include:
- One-time codes via SMS (text messaging – your carrier’s messaging rates may apply)
- One-time codes via voice call (either mobile or landline)
- 2FA apps such as Google Authenticator or DUO
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What exactly is a 2FA app?
A Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) application such as DUO, Google Authenticator, or Authy provides more security for your online banking account through a Time-based One-Time Passcode.
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How do Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) apps work?
2FA apps work similarly to the one-time codes by SMS, except that instead of receiving a text, you’ll respond to a verification prompt or code that appears in your app. This code changes frequently, making it very secure and difficult to hack. 2FA apps work with both cellular or wi-fi networks, which means you can use them even while traveling without cellular service.
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Why should I try a 2FA app?
2FA apps provide a high level of security for your online banking activity. Additionally, they provide great flexibility if you are a frequent traveler.
2FA apps only require a WiFi connection, not cellular. This makes them an especially useful alternative to text messages while traveling, because you might not have cellular service or an international plan that allows SMS. However, the setup processes for DUO or Google Authenticator both require a QR code that you can only get when logged into Online Banking, so be sure to activate your 2FA app before you travel.
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How do I get a 2FA app?
You can download 2FA apps such as Google Authenticator or DUO from the App Store or Google Play Store.
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I’m logging in to Online Banking, but I don’t see the 2FA as an option, just SMS or voice. Why?
You first need to enable the 2FA option through Profile/Security Settings.
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How do I activate my 2FA app?
You’ll start by enabling the 2FA app option through Online Banking.
After logging in:
- Select “Security Settings” under “Profile.”
- Turn on “Require Two-Factor Authentication For Each Login.”
- Click Pencil Icon for Authentication App (2FA APP).
- Click “Enroll.”
- Open the authenticator app on your mobile device, follow the on-screen prompts to ‘Add’ an account, then scan the QR Code that appears in Online Banking.
- Follow the authenticator app’s steps to generate a passcode (these vary based on app).
- Enter this passcode in your SF Fire Credit Union Online Banking session, then click “Next.”
- If this is your first time setting up 2FA, follow the prompts in Online Banking to verify the request.
- Turn on 2FA app, then click “Done.”
- Upon your next login, open the authenticator app.
- The authenticator app will display a temporary Passcode for your Online Banking profile.
- Enter your Passcode into Online Banking or the Mobile Banking app and click “Verify.”
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What if I don’t have a mobile phone?
You can use a one-time code via a voice call to a landline phone number. The DUO 2FA app is also available for some Windows computers.
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What if I’m traveling?
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) apps work with wi-fi networks as well as cellular networks, so whether or not you have cellular service, you can still use the app. We recommend downloading and setting up your 2FA app prior to traveling to make sure it works as you expect.
Transferring Funds
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How do I transfer to another member?
If you have transferred online to this other member before, you might have saved the account for future transfers. If you have, you’ll be able to select that account in either Quick Transfers or Classic Transfers. If this is the first time you’re transferring to the other member, go to Classic Transfer, click on “Add an account to make a transfer”, then click on “Send money to another SF Fire Credit Union member”.
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How long do transfers to other banks take?
Transfers to external accounts typically take 1–3 business days to post.
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How can I send money to my account at another bank?
You can add a link to an external account in your name through either the Settings/Accounts tab or under Classic Transfers. You will need your routing and account number for the external account.
All external accounts must be verified by a trial deposit before you can use them for transfers. This verification gives you access to withdraw from and deposit to that account. Once you initiate the trial deposit, you should see it post to your external account within 1–3 business days. You can then confirm the trial deposit and activate the external account through the Settings/Accounts tab.
After confirming the trial deposit, you can choose the external account as a destination in Transfers. Transfers scheduled prior to 3 pm on a normal business day, Monday – Friday) will be sent that same day.
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What are my transfer limits?
There are no limits for internal transfers (transfers between accounts at the Credit Union). You have a daily limit of $10,000 and a monthly limit of $50,000 for both incoming and outgoing external transfers (transfers to and from accounts at other financial institutions).
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How many transfers can I make from savings accounts per month?
6 Transfers Per Calendar Month
Based on the requirements of Federal Regulation D, you are limited to 6 electronic or remote transfers out of a Savings or Tiered Savings account per calendar month. Once you reach this limit, you will not be able to transfer from your savings accounts via Online & Mobile Banking, and any transfers you scheduled ahead of time will fail.
Which Transfers Count Towards Regulation D
The following transfers out of Savings or Tiered Savings accounts are limited by the Regulation D limit:
- One-time or Recurring Transfers Scheduled in Online & Mobile Banking
- Transfers Initiated via Phone or Live Web Chat
- Overdraft Protection Transfers to a Checking Account
- Automatic Debits by Merchants or Other Financial Institutions
Options for Additional Transfers
- Transfer Funds in Our Branches
- Transfer Funds at an ATM
Please note that the Regulation D limit applies to individual accounts, not your membership. If you have multiple savings accounts, you can make up to 6 transfers from each savings account per calendar month.
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What is REG D?
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Can I transfer money to another person at a different bank or credit union?
The current direct option to send funds to another person at another financial institution is to use Bill Pay. In most cases, this will send a check. You can use other third-party applications such as Apple Pay Cash or Venmo to transfer to other individuals.
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Can I transfer money from my external account to my account here?
Once your external account has been verified with a trial deposit, you can pull from that account (daily limit of $10,000). Transfers scheduled by 3 pm are posted by 4 pm every normal business day, although funds may not be fully available at that time.
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Can I set up a notification to be alerted when no transfers are remaining?
While there are no Notification options specifically related to the Reg D limits on transfers, there are some options that might help. You can add new Notifications (which are sent by email, SMS, or Push Notification to your Mobile Device) within Online Banking under Settings, which you access via the menu in the upper right-hand corner that shows your ‘nickname’ and chosen icon. Notification options that might be useful include:
- Transfer Succeeded – you’ll get a notice any time a transfer via Online & Mobile Banking is processed
- Transfer Failed – you’ll get a notice if a scheduled transfer via Online & Mobile Banking could not be completed
- Automatic Withdrawal Alert – you’ll get a notice anytime funds are automatically withdrawn from a specified account
Balance Alert – you’ll get a notice when the balance in a specified account (such as your checking account) falls below (or above) a specified amount (you can use this to know when you might be close to using Overdraft Protection transfers)
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Can I cancel a transfer to another member?
If you scheduled the transfer to take place in the future, you can always cancel it up until 7 am Pacific on the scheduled date by going to Transfers/Scheduled in Online or Mobile Banking. Once the transfer is sent, it cannot be reversed or canceled.
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Can I cancel a transfer sent outside of the credit union?
Until the transfer is sent, you can still cancel it by going to Transfers/Scheduled in Online or Mobile Banking. Once the transfer is sent, it cannot be reversed or canceled.
Technical Support
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What browsers can I use for Online Banking?
Most browsers should be compatible with Online Banking, if they meet these minimum requirements:
- 128-bit encryption
- Cookies
- JavaScript
You can check the current list of all supported Desktop and Mobile browsers—and browser versions—by clicking on the Browser Support link found in the lower left-hand corner of the initial log-in page (part of the black bar with general information). This link will open a separate window with the browser support information, including an analysis of whether your current browser is supported.
You can also use this link to test your browser directly.
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What devices are compatible with Mobile Banking?
The Mobile Banking App has the following minimum requirements:
- Android Devices: Requires Android 5.0 and up
- iOS Devices: Requires iOS 11.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Online banking is also designed to work with touch-based operating systems commonly found on tablet devices. We support the following tablet based operating systems:
- Chrome for Android: 2 most recent versions
- Mobile Safari for iOS devices: 2 most recent version
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How do I get the Mobile Banking app?
For an iOS device:
Find the app on the iTunes App Store here. You’ll be able to see system requirements for your device here, as well as checking the version number.
For an Android device:
Find the app on the Google Play Store here. You’ll be able to see system requirements for your device and the version number.
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How do I log in to Mobile Banking?
If you’ve already registered for Online Banking, you’ll use the same Username and Password information for the Mobile Banking app. If you haven’t already registered for Online Banking, you can register directly through the Mobile Banking app by clicking “Sign up now”.
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How do I clear the cache or cookies on a browser?
If your browser is having trouble loading our site, that might indicate you need to clear the cache or cookies. Different browsers will have different steps to do so. Here are the steps for some common browsers:
Google Chrome (version 77.0.3865.90)
- Click the circle in the upper right-hand corner containing three vertical dots. This opens a menu.
- Click “Settings”
- If “Advanced” has a down arrow next to it, click this to expand your list of Advanced Options
- Click “Privacy and security”
- Click “Clear browsing data”
- Mark the Basic or Advanced Options you want to apply and click “Clear data”
- You may need to close and re-start your browser for changes to take effect
Safari for iOS
- Click on the Safari drop-down menu and select Preferences.
- Click the Advanced tab. Select the Show Develop menu in menu bar checkbox and close the Preferences window.
- Select the Develop drop-down menu. Click Empty Cache.
- Note: You may want to also clear your browser history.
Microsoft Edge
- Select the Hub icon (three horizontal lines at top bar in front of a star), click the History menu option, and then click Clear history.
- Select “Cookies and saved website data” and “Cached data and files”. After the two are marked click Clear.
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How do I ensure that my mobile deposit is accepted?
There are a few steps to take to help make sure your Mobile Deposit goes through.
- Make sure to endorse the check on the back (include your name, member number, and “For mobile deposit only to SF Fire Credit Union”)
- Make sure you have sufficient lighting where you are taking the picture
- Make sure the signature on the front of the check does not obscure the account details
- Make sure the check fits within the frame on the screen when taking the photo
- Once you receive a Mobile Deposit #, please record on the back of the check and retain the check for two weeks.
If you get an error when trying to launch the camera, check the Privacy settings for the camera on your device. You may need to give the SF Fire CU Mobile App permission to access the camera.
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Where can I check for alerts about service interruptions?
Details and updates regarding service interruptions can be found at https://status.sffirecu.org. You can Subscribe To Updates for an incident. You can get updates by email or text message
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Where can I check if a CoinStar Machine is working?
If you visit https://status.sffirecu.org/, you’ll see any current reports of outages for such services as Online & Mobile Banking, CoinStar® machines, or ATMs. Status reports are grouped by branch; click the “+” icon next to the branch you want to visit to check the operational status of the machines at that location.
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How do I reset a forgotten password?
When you click Sign In to open the log-in panel, you’ll see a Forgot Password link. Once you verify some out of wallet information, you’ll be able to generate a one-time code. This will be sent as an SMS or read to you as a voice call.
After generating and verifying the one-time code, you’ll be able to set a new permanent password and proceed.
Please note that SMS messages may be subject to your carrier’s message rates.
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How do I reset a forgotten Username?
When you click Sign In to open the log-in panel, you’ll see a “Forgot Username” link. You’ll need to confirm your identity using selected out-of-wallet information.
After you successfully verify your ID, your Username will be displayed on screen.
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How do I know if I need to update my Mobile Banking App?
When you download the app for the first time, your device should allow you to specify if you want updates to be automatically downloaded for you. If not, you can always visit the App Store or the Google Play Store and see if you have the latest version. The current version number of your app will appear at the bottom of the launch screen when you first open the app.
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How do I download transactions to third-party applications like Quicken?
From your Dashboard in Online Banking, if you click on a specific account, a separate panel opens, displaying a list of your recent transactions. At the top of this list, you will see two icons: one to Print Transactions and one to Export Transactions. Clicking the Export Transactions icon will open a pop-up window that allows you to choose the file type you need.
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How do I choose a specific date range of transactions to download to third-party applications?
The CSV file option allows you to select a specific date range in the download window. Quickbooks and Quicken do not offer a date range selector, but you can set a specific date range by using the built-in filters for transaction history.
- Click on the desired account to open the transaction history
- Select the FILTER icon (it looks like a funnel) next to the search bar
- Filter transactions by the desired date range (or any other criteria)
- Select the Export Transactions icon and choose the desired file type.
The downloaded QFX or QBO file should now match the filtered transaction dates.
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Why do I see log-in attempts that are not mine?
If you have connected your Online Banking account with us to third-party sites such as Mint.com, you will see log-in attempts recorded when those sites connect to your account to import your information.
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Branch hours
Mon – Fri 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM