What is the difference between my account balance and available balance?

The available balance takes into account any pending transactions. For example, if my account balance is $100 but I have a $25 pending debit card transaction, my available balance is $75.

The MICR number is the number needed for any automatic deposits or withdrawals. You can find it on the bottom of your checks, or in digital banking, you can click on the checking account and look at account details to find the MICR number.

In digital banking (online or mobile), you can click on Apply for Loan/Open account, and then check your status by clicking on Check Application Status.

Yes, please. Our fraud detection service looks for unusual spending patterns and may see an out of state purchase as possibly fraudulent. If we see something that looks unusual, we will attempt to contact you via text message and email. Before traveling, it is a good idea to contact us to set a travel alert on your account.  That way, our fraud system will know to look for out of state travel. In addition, the most secure payment method is to use your chip when making a purchase at all merchants who accept it.

Current rates for all of our financial products and loans are available on the amfirst.org rates page. You may also choose to visit a branch or call our member service center for rate information.

Please contact our Wire Transfer Department at 205-320-4106. The cutoff time for outgoing wires is 3:00 pm CST and incoming wires are posted up until 4:00 pm CST. To initiate an outgoing wire transfer a wire agreement must be completed with a wire 6 digit security code. The code can be any 6 digits you choose, letters or numbers. Please be advised, we do not directly send or receive wire transfers from foreign institutions. All international transfers must be routed through a domestic third-party bank with a swift code.

Paying with a chip card is fast and easy. Just insert your card, face up and chip end first, into a chip capable card reader. Then follow the directions on the screen. Watch this video for more information on how to use a chip card.

Cards that have tap and pay capabilities have this symbol on the front or back of the card. For smaller-dollar amount purchases, you can tap your contactless card to pay at merchants that have this symbol on the terminal. If a merchant does not have this functionality, you will need to insert the card into the terminal and follow the prompts to complete the transaction.

• Advanced security due to the chip technology that makes it nearly impossible for a fraudster to counterfeit your card.
• Ability to make payments at terminals outside of the U.S. where chip cards are the standard.

When making a transaction with your chip-enhanced card, it’s important to leave the card in the terminal until the transaction is complete. (If you remove the card too soon, the transaction will end and your purchase will not be processed.)

1. Insert the chip portion of the card into the terminal with the chip facing up.
2. Follow the prompts on the terminal screen.
3. The terminal will display the purchase amount.
4. When your transaction is complete, you will be prompted to remove your card.

At restaurants, a portable terminal may be brought to your table. Remember, if a chip terminal is not available, you will still be able to make purchases by swiping your card and signing the receipt.

Use your chip card at the exact same merchants you do now, by inserting the card into terminals that are chip-enabled or swiping your card at merchant locations that have not yet switched to chip-enabled terminals. You can also continue to use your card as you do currently for online and telephone payments.

• Replacing your card with a new chip-enhanced card is one way we can help simplify your purchase experience as technology continues to change.
• Although magnetic stripe cards continue to be the most common type of card in the U.S., many other countries, especially in Europe, are switching to chip cards. Giving you a new chip card is one way we can help simplify your purchase experience when you’re traveling outside the U.S.
• We value your financial security. Your new card comes with advanced security because the chip technology makes it difficult for a fraudster to counterfeit your card.

A chip-enhanced card contains an embedded microchip. The chip holds encrypted information, making it extremely difficult for the card to be copied or counterfeited. Rather than swiping the card, you will insert your card into a chip-enabled terminal to complete a transaction. In addition to the embedded microchip, the chip-card has a magnetic stripe on the back, and purchases can still be made by swiping the card at merchants that have not yet switched to chip-enabled terminals.

You can do most of your financial transactions by using direct deposit, ATMs or ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions. We also offer remote deposit capture for qualifying accounts, which allows you to deposit checks by using mobile banking.  Contact us for details on a method that’s best for you.

Yes! Funds can be transferred to and from accounts by wire transfer. A Wire Transfer Agreement is required in order to process outgoing wire transfers. Incoming wire transfers must include the Amfirst beneficiary member name and account number. For questions regarding wire transfers or to process your wire transfer please contact your local branch or the Wire Transfer department directly at 205-320-4106.

Your account information is available in real time and is always current.

Yes! With online banking, you have access to your account information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Yes! Thanks to the convenience of Digital Banking and services like Direct Deposit and our ATMs/ITMs, everyday financial transactions can be performed on your own time. Contact us with questions about your needs.

At this time, you do not have to live within the United States, but you must have a valid U.S. tax identification number (Social Security Number). If you have questions, contact us. We’d like to hear from you.

Yes! Account information is available from our Member Service Representatives during business hours at any of our offices. Flash Talk Telephone Account Access offers automated account information for free 24 hours a day. We also offer free mobile banking.

After your checking application has been approved, you will receive our routing and transit number and your account number. Simply contact us at 205-320-4000, and have your Social Security Number and account information available to set up your direct deposit right over the phone.

After your checking application has been approved, you will receive our routing and transit number and your account number. If your employer participates in a direct deposit program, simply provide this information to the human resources or payroll department at your company, and your direct deposit will usually begin within thirty days.

Yes! Each individual member’s account is Federally insured by the NCUA up to $250,000 per account.

Paying with a chip card is fast and easy. Just insert your card, face up and chip end first, into a chip capable card reader. Then follow the directions on the screen. Watch this video for more information on how to use a chip card.

Cards that have tap and pay capabilities have this symbol on the front or back of the card. For smaller-dollar amount purchases, you can tap your contactless card to pay at merchants that have this symbol on the terminal. If a merchant does not have this functionality, you will need to insert the card into the terminal and follow the prompts to complete the transaction.

• Advanced security due to the chip technology that makes it nearly impossible for a fraudster to counterfeit your card.
• Ability to make payments at terminals outside of the U.S. where chip cards are the standard.

When making a transaction with your chip-enhanced card, it’s important to leave the card in the terminal until the transaction is complete. (If you remove the card too soon, the transaction will end and your purchase will not be processed.)

1. Insert the chip portion of the card into the terminal with the chip facing up.
2. Follow the prompts on the terminal screen.
3. The terminal will display the purchase amount.
4. When your transaction is complete, you will be prompted to remove your card.

At restaurants, a portable terminal may be brought to your table. Remember, if a chip terminal is not available, you will still be able to make purchases by swiping your card and signing the receipt.

Use your chip card at the exact same merchants you do now, by inserting the card into terminals that are chip-enabled or swiping your card at merchant locations that have not yet switched to chip-enabled terminals. You can also continue to use your card as you do currently for online and telephone payments.

• Replacing your card with a new chip-enhanced card is one way we can help simplify your purchase experience as technology continues to change.
• Although magnetic stripe cards continue to be the most common type of card in the U.S., many other countries, especially in Europe, are switching to chip cards. Giving you a new chip card is one way we can help simplify your purchase experience when you’re traveling outside the U.S.
• We value your financial security. Your new card comes with advanced security because the chip technology makes it difficult for a fraudster to counterfeit your card.

A chip-enhanced card contains an embedded microchip. The chip holds encrypted information, making it extremely difficult for the card to be copied or counterfeited. Rather than swiping the card, you will insert your card into a chip-enabled terminal to complete a transaction. In addition to the embedded microchip, the chip-card has a magnetic stripe on the back, and purchases can still be made by swiping the card at merchants that have not yet switched to chip-enabled terminals.

Just call us and we will take you through the steps needed to get back into the system immediately!

Yes. You can go to User Options/Settings and change your password at any time.

To access online banking, you can log in here or directly from the right side of our homepage.  First time users should use the Sign Up link to establish online access to their account.

Platinum Pro members will continue to earn reward points. However, as part of these changes, we will be converting our Platinum Pro Rewards program from ScoreCard Rewards to Choice Rewards. You will still earn points on your Platinum Pro rewards credit card but how and where you redeem your points will change. If you would like to redeem any of your current points through ScoreCard rewards, you must do so by May 14, 2015. To redeem rewards through Scorecard, visit www.scorecardrewards.com or call 1(800) 854-0790. Any points not redeemed by May 14, 2015, will roll over to your new Platinum Pro card and you will begin earning points on your new card as soon as you activate and begin using your card. However, after May 14, 2015, points will not be available for redemption until July 1, 2015. When you are ready to redeem points on your new card after July 1, 2015, you will simply log in to Online Banking at amfirst.org, select your Credit Card account, and then select Browse Rewards.

No, if you are currently in a card program that earns cash back, you will continue to earn cash back. However, cash back amounts will not be visible on your statement until July.

Yes. However, the process you use to make online payments will change. To make a credit card payment via an online banking transfer, log into Online Banking, and click on your Credit Card account.

Yes. Payments can be made at any America’s First location. However, if you prefer to mail your payment, the address will change to: America’s First Federal Credit Union P.O. Box 37035 Boone, IA 50037-0035 *Payments received at the mailing address will be credited to your account as of the day of receipt.

Replacement cards can be obtained by contacting America’s First at 205-320-4000 or 1-800-633-8431

Your new payment will not change. The due date will be the 16th of each month.

Contact America’s First at 205-320-4000 or 1-800-633-8431 or visit any America’s First branch location.

You will need to access your credit card account via Online Banking. Once you have done this, you will receive an email confirmation when your next credit card eStatement is available for viewing.

Yes. You will need to access your credit card account via Online Banking. You will then be able to click on “Statement History” from the top navigational menu.

In addition to viewing statement history, you can view current balance information, payment information, and current and historical transaction activity; make a payment and view payment history; find contact information; request balance transfers; and download account transactions into multiple formats.

Just call us and we will take you through the steps needed to get back into the system immediately!

Yes. You can go to User Options/Settings and change your password at any time.

To access online banking, you can log in here or directly from the right side of our homepage.  First time users should use the Sign Up link to establish online access to their account.

In order for your browsing experience to be enjoyable, your browser must be compatible with our list of supported browsers. Please see our list of supported browsers.

You have access to your account information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Yes. Using the Manage Transfers tab, you can select future dated and recurring transfers.

Online Banking supports downloads to Quicken™, Microsoft Money™ or as a comma-delimited text file.

Yes, you can view your accounts by date, check number, payee, amount or balance in ascending or descending order.

You can access your checking, savings,and loan accounts from online banking. Online banking is intended to give you as much access, security, and versatility as possible.

Online banking displays real time account information.

It is still our intention to offer the most valuable checking account product available, with no monthly fees and a program that allows you to earn reward points with every purchase you make with your debit card. The bottom line: America’s First always wants you to keep your checking account balanced in order to avoid overdrafts altogether. Your first “line of defense” against overdrafts should be an Overdraft Protection Line of Credit. If you do not already have an Overdraft Line of Credit, establish one today. You can apply at any branch or call us at 1-800-633-8431. Finally, we recommend that you “opt-in” to Courtesy Pay for debit transactions in order to avoid the embarrassment and hassle of being declined at a merchant.

You may opt-out of Courtesy Pay for point of sale transactions at any time by giving us written, electronic or verbal notice. Once we receive your opt-out instructions, point of sale transactions that exceed the available balance in your checking account will be declined. You may also opt out of Courtesy Pay for checks and ACH transactions by giving us written, electronic or verbal instructions. Once we receive your opt-out instructions, any checks or ACH transactions that are presented for payment will be returned unpaid. If you choose to notify us in writing, you may mail it to our call center at P.O. Box 11349, Birmingham, Alabama 35202 or in person at any America’s First branch location.

The new federal regulations do not affect overdrafts or Courtesy Pay transactions involving checks, ACH, or bill pay transactions.

All we need is your written confirmation. There are a number of ways for you to opt-in.

• You may visit any branch location of America’s First
• You can print and mail your opt-in notice to P.O. Box 11349, Birmingham, Alabama 35202
• Opt in online
• Contact our call center at 1-800-633-8431 or (205) 320-4000
• If you are applying to open an account online, select “Yes” to the question “Do you want America’s First to authorize and pay overdrafts on your everyday debit card transactions?”
• Regardless of how you choose to opt-in it will only take a few minutes.

Courtesy Pay is a service designed to help you avoid costly mistakes in your checking account. Think of the following scenarios:

• You are at the checkout counter of the grocery store and your total comes to $300. Your account has a balance of $285. If you opted in to Courtesy Pay, this transaction could be approved.
• You and the family are at a restaurant having dinner. The total bill comes to over $100. You only have $85 in your checking account. If you haven’t opted in to Courtesy Pay, you’ll have to find another way to pay for your meal.

Opting in to Courtesy Pay can help you avoid an embarrassing situation when your account balance is less than you anticipated.

If you are making a purchase with your debit card and there are no available funds in your checking account, and your other overdraft sources are depleted, the transaction will be denied.

Currently, new members are automatically enrolled after they meet certain eligibility qualifications. These include but are not limited to:

• Your membership must be in good standing; and
• Your checking account must have been open for at least 30 days.

However, under new federal regulations, beginning July 1, 2010, new members will not be eligible for Courtesy Pay on Debit transactions unless they “opt-in” to the program and existing members who are currently using the program must “opt-in” by August, 15, 2010 to continue their eligibility for this service.

America’s First will not overdraw an account more than $500 using Courtesy Pay. The payment of a check, point of sale or ACH transaction that results in an overdrawn balance is at the sole discretion of America’s First.

You must make a deposit to repay the overdrawn balance within 5 business days.

There is a $30.00 fee assessed for each transaction that is paid via Courtesy Pay.