Answers to frequently asked questions
General Questions | Online, Mobile, eStatements & ATMS | Loans & Lending | Checking & Savings
General questions about Sandia Area
About Sandia Area
For information on our locations and hours, please click here.
There are many ways to become a member and experience the Sandia Area difference.
Sandia Area's routing Number is 307070047.
A credit union is a cooperative, not-for-profit financial institution organized to promote thrift and provide credit to members. It is member-owned and controlled through a board of directors elected by the membership. The board serves on a volunteer basis and may hire a management team to run the credit union. The board also establishes and revises policy, sets dividend and loan rates, and directs certain operations. The result: members are provided with a safe, convenient place to save and borrow at reasonable rates at an institution which exists to benefit them, not to make a profit.
Your money is insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an independent agency of the United States Government. Your savings is federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.
Sandia Area is a credit union. We are a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative. We are governed by a volunteer board of directors, elected by the members. We exist to help people, not to make a profit. As such, all earnings are returned to our members in the form of higher-interest savings, lower-rate loans, fewer fees, and greater accessibility.
You can reach us at member.services@sandia.org. Please do not send any account information as this e-mail address is unsecure. For secure communication with Sandia Area, log into Online Banking.
General Account Information
You may come in a see one of our Member Service Officers anytime. The people who are requesting the separation of the joint account must both be present. All parties on the account must be present in order to remove those requesting the separating of joint ownership.
Please come into any office and give us your new address. You can also fax us in the information, with your signature to (505) 256-6183. You can also call Member Services at (505) 292-6343 or (800) 228-4031. ext. 5.
If your employer offers direct deposit, they probably have a special form for you to complete. They will need Sandia Area's routing number, which is 307070047. They will also need your account number.
Security
Phishing is the act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft. The e-mail directs the user to visit a website where they are asked to update personal information, such as passwords and credit card, social security, and account numbers that the legitimate organization already has. The website, however, is bogus and set up only to steal the user’s information.
Vishing is the telephone equivalent of phishing. Vishing is the act of using the telephone in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft. The scammer usually pretends to be a legitimate business, and fools the victim into thinking he or she will profit.
If you feel you have been a victim of identity theft, contact the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline toll-free at 1-877-IDTHEFT (877-438-4338); by mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580.
Visit our identity theft resources page for more information ►
If your wallet has been lost or stolen, take the following actions, depending on what information you lost with your wallet:
- Contact Member Services at 505-292-6343 ext. 5
- Call the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax: 800-525-6285, Experian: 888-397-3742 and Trans Union: 800-680-7289) and ask them to immediately place a Fraud Alert on your name and Social Security number. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
- Notify the SSN national fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271.
- Report your credit and debit cards lost or stolen.
- File a police report the same day, if at all possible, in the jurisdiction where your wallet was stolen.
EMV Chip Technology
Yes. If a merchant is not yet chip-activated, you can continue to swipe your card.
If you would like to have your PIN reissued, please call us at 505-292-6343 ext.5 or 800-228-4031 ext. 5.
At the merchant terminal, following the dipping of your card, if a PIN is required the terminal will guide you with the steps for PIN entry.
Whenever you use your card at a chip-activated terminal. The embedded chip generates a one-time use code. This code is virtually impossible to counterfeit and helps reduce in-store fraud.
A chip card is a standard-size plastic credit card that contains an embedded microchip as well as the traditional magnetic stripe. The chip encrypts information to increase data security when making transactions at a chip-enabled terminal. Sandia Area’s Credit and Debit Cards now feature chip technology. You'll enjoy global acceptance plus an enhanced level of security.
EMV stands for Europay, MasterCard, and Visa. These three companies were the original companies to begin the technical standard for chip cards.
You can use your card at millions of places that accept MasterCard® credit cards, at home and around the world.
Sandia Area credit cards have the capability of requiring a signature and accepting a PIN. However, if the merchant terminal has the capability of accepting a signature, the transaction will default to signature. If the merchant accepts only a PIN, the PIN will be required.
No. There are no additional fees to use a chip card.
Miscellaneous
You can redeem savings bonds at Sandia Area branch offices.
As of January 1, 2012, paper savings bonds are no longer sold at financial institutions. This action supports Treasury’s goal to increase the number of electronic transactions with citizens and businesses. Click here for details about purchasing savings bonds electronically.
You can find information and a guide on TreasuryDirect.gov here: http://www.treasurydirect.gov/instit/savbond/guide/guide_cash.htm
Yes. You may come in and receive a direct deposit form or ask your employer for their standard form to provide your account information to your payroll or human resources department.
Sandia Area does not exchange foreign currency.
Yes, Sandia Area has multiple branches that have on-site safe deposit boxes. You may come in at any time to set up your safe deposit box. Pricing varies depending on the size of your box, and range from $15 to $75 per year.
Yes, we offer a wide variety of business accounts, including checking and loans. All services can be found on our business accounts page.
Yes, this service is available for non-members as well.
All employment opportunities are posted on our site in the About Us section. It is continually updated will all current postings.
Sandia Area offers money order services but does not currently offer travelers checks.
Yes, we provide both international and domestic wire transfers.
We do not currently accept utility payments at our branches.
To place a stop payment you can call or come in anytime. You will need to provide the check number, the date the check was written and the amount of the check.
In very special cases a member under 18 can apply for a loan with a parent present as the co-signer. We do offer debit cards for individuals under 18 with our Reality Checking account.
Questions about Online & Mobile Banking, eStatements and ATMs
Online Banking
Online Banking provides a wide range of personal image photos to choose from. Feel free to browse the selection to find one that is meaningful to you. You may also add a custom photo as your security photo by going to the “settings” menu located in the upper right-hand corner menu. You will then select the “Edit” option under “Profile Image.” You will then select “Upload Image” and follow the on-screen prompts in order to upload your custom photo. Further, you can provide a unique “name” for your photo. These photos are specially programmed to provide the security information needed to authenticate your Online Banking session.
Yes. For our Quicken users, we offer Quicken Web Connect and Express Web Connect, which allows the receiving of data.
Here are some of the easy ways you can organize your personal finances by choosing to use Web Connect or Express Web Connect:
No manual data entry- Once you're set-up, you can download all your transactions right in to Quicken- instead of typing them by hand.
Automatically reconcile data- Web Connect data includes complete transaction and balance information to make categorization and account reconcilation easy.
No duplicate transactions- Web Connect incorporates a special transaction- matching algorithm that prevents the download of duplicate transactions.
Easier to use- Web Connect files may be automatically opened by Quicken from Online Banking, which eliminates the need for you to search for files that have to be downloaded.
Automatic account set-up- Simply initiate a download to Quicken from Online Banking and Quicken sets up your accounts for you- with your data already up-to-date.
Please note: we do not provide support for third-party software.
You can log into your Online Banking from our website homepage. If you experience any issues logging in, please give us a call and we can help.
Enrolling is easy. Just click the "sign up" link on the home page in the Online Banking box and follow the instructions.
For our online services we recommend that you use one of the following browsers:
Windows
- Chrome 29 and above
- Firefox 23 and above
- Internet Explorer 8 and above
- Internet Explorer 6 and below are no longer compatable
Macintosh
- Safari 6 and above
If you forget your password, simply click the “Forgot Your Password?” link on the page that prompts you for your password. The system will then guide you through a few easy steps.
If you forgot your User ID, please call the Member Service Center at (505) 292-6343 ext.5, or (800) 228-4031 ext.5.
If you forget the answers to your security questions, please call the Member Service Center at (505) 292-6343 ext.5, or (800) 228-4031 ext.5.
Your User ID should be a unique set of characters that only you know. New users will establish a unique User ID when they enroll.
Call 505-292-6343 and we will be happy to assist.
Online Banking comes with state-of-the-art security. Some you’ll notice and some are behind the scenes. The open-field security questions and the personal image both provide a more secure Online Banking experience. Periodically, you will be asked to change your questions, answers and personal image to help protect you while you are online.
We cannot guarantee payments to the following payees:
- Payments to payees outside of the United States
- Court-ordered payments such as alimony, child support, speeding tickets, etc.
- Tax entities
- Collection agencies
Online Bill Pay
Online Bill Pay allows you to pay bills or make other payments from your checking account using the Internet. Payments can be scheduled 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from anywhere in the world. If you can access the World Wide Web, you can use Online Bill Pay.
It’s easy - there are no forms to complete and no paperwork. Once you are logged into Online Banking, click on the Online Bill Pay link on the top. The first time you click on that link, an enrollment screen will be displayed. Just agree to the terms and conditions and you can begin adding payees and making payments immediately.
The Online Bill Pay cutoff time is 11:00 AM Mountain. Anything setup after this time will be scheduled for the next day. Payments are not sent on Sundays or holidays.
Yes. However, we do not provide support for third-party software. Your best bet is to use Online Bill Pay within Sandia Area’s Online Banking site.
Recurring payments can be setup for payments that are processed on a fixed frequency for a fix amount. The recurring payment setup will allow you to select the payee, amount, frequency and number of payments to be processed (or indefinite). Once the recurring setup has ended, the system will alert you via an e-mail.
Here are some helpful hints:
- Maintain your payee information by comparing once or twice a year to your most current bill. This will assure that we are sending the payment to the most current address and account number.
- If your payee notifies you of a payee or billing address change, please update your payee information in Online Bill Pay.
- Do not mask your account number by replacing digits with “x”s or by adding extra information. We may not be able to submit your payment electronically if the account number entered does not match the number on your bill. Examples of these types of account numbers: “XXX-XXXX-XXX-1234” or “213 555 1212 1234 – work phone”. When necessary, you can use the “Nick Name” feature in each payee record to further identify similar payees.
Online Bill Pay is FREE for your first 10 payments each month. Then it is just 50 cents each for additional transaction.
You must have a checking account at Sandia Area Federal Credit Union, an Internet Browser that meets our minimum requirements (e.g., a. Windows MS Internet Explorer 8 or above, Windows Firefox 23 or above, or Macintosh Safari 6.0 and above), and Internet access to use the service.
When you get on to Online Bill Pay for the first time, you must add payees before you can schedule payments. Don’t worry, if your payee is not listed, it is easy to add one. When setting up your payees, please make sure that the information is obtained from the most current bill received. This will avoid any processing delays, which are often caused by an old or incorrect account number or an incorrect mailing address.
To view your pending payments click on the “Scheduled” tab in the Bill Pay widget. The view processed payments click on the “History” tab within the Bill Pay widget.
From the “Scheduled” tab within the Bill Pay widget page, you can delete payments that you scheduled earlier in this online session or in a previous session.
To delete a payment, click on the "Edit" link next to the payment that you want to delete. A dialog box will appear asking you if you are sure you want to delete the payment. If you wish to continue, click on the "Yes” button. If you do not wish to continue deleting the payment, click on the “No” button. If you selected a Recurring payment, you can choose to delete the series or edit the series and select which payment dates you would like to skip. A couple of exceptions apply:
If you submitted a payment and the Send On date was today, you may only delete that payment during the session that you submitted it.
To stop payment on a bill payment check that has not cleared, you can also call Sandia Area at 505-292-6343 x 5 or 1-800-228-4031 x 5 (Mon - Fri 9:00-5:00, Sat 9:00-1:00 Mountain Time). Please do not make these types of requests via e-mail, since timing may be critical to our ability to stop the payment.
First, click on the "Bill Pay" tab. Payments can be scheduled using either the “Quick Pay,” “Multi Pay,” or “Classic Pay” view.
Funding Accounts
If multiple funding accounts are available, select the account from which you would like the payment(s) to be made. If you wish to fund either one-time or recurring Payments from an eligible account other than your primary [default] account, select a different funding account from the dropdown menu. If you would like to make multiple payments using multiple funding accounts, you will need to make payments using the “Multi Pay” view.
One-time payment
Scheduling a one-time payment can be done from any of the three payment views- “Quick Pay,” Multi Pay,” and “Classic Pay.” Each view is slightly different; however the end result is the same.
Quick Pay-To schedule a one-time payment, find the payee you wish to pay and enter the amount of the payment. Select the account you would like the funds to withdrawn from, which is referred to as the From Account. Next, select the date you wish the payment to arrive, referred to as the Deliver By date. To change the Deliver By date, click on the date on the calendar.
Multi Pay- To schedule multiple, one-time payments within one screen the “Multi Pay” view is recommended. Find the payee you wish to pay. Next, select the account the payment will be withdrawn from, referred to as the From Account. Then, enter the amount of the payment. Finally, select the date you wish the payment to arrive, referred to as the Deliver By date. To change the Deliver By date, click on the calendar or simply enter a new date.
Classic Pay- To schedule a one-time payment, select the payee you wish to pay from the dropdown menu. Next, select the account you wish the payment to be withdrawn from. Unlike the other payment views, “Classic Pay” allows you to categorize your payment by selecting an option from the dropdown menu. You will then enter the amount you wish to pay, followed by the frequency. Here, you can choose to submit the payment once, weekly, every 2 weeks, monthly, quarterly, or annually. Then, select your Deliver By date. Lastly, you have the option to enter notes to yourself about your payments in the Memo field, which is available in the “Classic View.” Memos will not be sent to the payment recipient but are saved with the payment in the bill pay application for your future reference.
Scheduling payments using the Calendar
When using the calendar scheduling icon, roll your cursor over the date that you want the payment to be delivered. This is called the “Deliver By” date on our bill payment service.. You can select a “Deliver By” date on any day of the week, including weekends. Selecting a deliver by date will close the calendar window.
Payment Memo
You can enter notes to yourself about your payments in the Memo field, which is available in the “Classic View.” Memos will not be sent to the payment recipient but are saved with the payment in the bill pay application for your future reference.
Detail Payee Information
To access detailed information about any of your payees, click on the Payee tab within the Bill Pay widget. Once in the Payees tab, click on the payee name to view specific payee information. The Payee Information Window will then appear and provide you with a summary of your payee information, including the address, account number, category (if one has been assigned), scheduled payments, and recent payment activity. To edit detailed information about the payee, click the “Edit Payee " icon, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of the Payee Information Window. To delete a payee, select the Delete Payee icon.
Recurring Payments
Setting up automatic Recurring Payments makes paying bills with fixed amounts, such as mortgages, auto loans, and day care payments a snap. To schedule a recurring payment, select the payee, account, category, and amount. Next, select the frequency with which you would like the payment to be delivered (for example weekly or monthly). Next, select the starting date.
You will then need to select one of the End Date options:
You may choose to include a payment memo (this is optional).
Finally, click “Submit Payment.”
Mobile Banking
Of course! Viewing past bill payments and scheduling future payments is one of the most powerful features of Mobile Banking. You'll be able to see any payments that you previously scheduled through Online Banking and schedule payments to any existing payees. You cannot, however, set up NEW payees in Mobile Banking.
Yes, you can sign on to your accounts from any smartphone and can download an appropriate app for your iPhone or Droid for more mobile services.
If you ever lose your phone, log on to the Internet-version of Online Banking and change your password immediately. If you don't have easy access to the Internet, you can call us at for assistance in changing your password. Please monitor your accounts closely and notify us immediately if you believe that unauthorized transactions have occurred. Make sure to also report the loss of your phone to your mobile provider as soon as possible and ask them to disable the old phone. Once you have a new phone, simply logon as you did before using your new credentials.
First you must have a Sandia Area account and Online Banking Access. Then Logon to Online Banking and select “Mobile Banking” from the Quick Links menu, and enable Mobile Banking. Then it is up to you (and your phone) to determine which of the following methods are right for you.
Mobile Web
Access Online Banking and Online Bill Pay from your browser-based mobile device without the need to download an app. Simply go to www.sandia.org and enter your Online Banking User ID and password.
iPhone App
Visit the Apple iTunes store from the iPhone. There is a link here. Click “Install.” Once the app is installed, select it. Enter your Online Banking User ID and password.
Droid App
Visit the Droid Market from the phone. There is a link here. Click “Install.” Once the app is installed, select it. Enter your Online Banking User ID and password.
Mobile Banking is an extension of Online Banking and Online Bill Pay for your smart phone. All you need is a Sandia Area account, Online Banking access and a compatible smartphone. You can choose to access Mobile Banking a variety of ways depending on your phone and your needs. Access via our “Mobile Browser,” or from a downloadable App. Once in, Mobile Banking will allow you to perform most of the same important functions that you conduct online today through the Internet-version of Online Banking.
Absolutely - Mobile Banking is just as secure as our Internet-based service. Anything you do while logged on to Mobile Banking is encrypted by industry-standard SSL encryption preventing cell phone "scanning" or other attempts to eaves-drop. The integrated secure message system is further protected from spamming, spoofing or phishing.
eStatements and eNotices
Accessing eStatements and eNotices requires the use of the following equipment/accessibility:
- Valid, active email address
- Personal computer or Mac
- Printer capability to print your statement or notice
- Adobe Reader installed on your computer
You may have a pop-up blocker installed that needs to be disabled in order to view eStatements. If you have installed Windows XP Service Pack 2, this Service Pack updates Internet Explorer with a built-in pop-up blocker that is turned on by default. To turn it off, click on Tools in the menu bar, then select Pop-up Blocker, then select Turn Off Pop-up Blocker. You should then be able to open your eStatement. After you have viewed your eStatement you can turn the pop-up blocker back on if you wish.
No. It is not necessary to have Online Banking or Bill Payment to register for eStatements. You must have a valid email address to register and use the service.
However, for your convenience, we have a single sign-on portal inside Online Banking that will easily bring up your electronic statement. That means you only have to remember one User ID, password and security credentials.
Registering is easy. For the primary account holder, click the "Register" button on the sign on page and then simply type in your social security number, date of birth, and account number. It is extremely important that you follow the format listed for each of these fields. Also, you will be asked to provide a valid email address so that you can be notified when your eStatements are available.
Most registration errors are a result of formatting. First check to make sure that you have provided your information in the appropriate format specified for each field. Also make sure that you are providing the information for the primary account holder, not the secondary account holder, if you have two names on the account. If you still experience challenges registering, please contact the credit union at 505-292-6343 ext 5 or toll free at 1-800-228-4031 ext. 5.
Once you've completed the registration process you will receive an email confirming your successful registration.
You will receive an email notification whenever a new statement is available for viewing. If the statement is not viewed within a certain time frame, a reminder email will be sent as a follow up.
You can print your statements if you have a printer. You can also save them to your hard drive, CD or thumb drive.
eStatements and eNotices will generally remain available for viewing for 18 months after they have been posted.
Go to the sign on page for the eStatements and click on the link "Forgot your user name and/or password?" Once there, the system will prompt you to provide additional information and will then email the password to you at the email account you used during registration.
You can change your password at any time by selecting "Account Settings", and then choosing "Change Your Password" once you have logged in.
You must register each account number individually.
You can provide your new email address for eStatement notification by selecting "Account Settings" and then choosing "Email Address." It is your responsibility to make sure we have a current e-mail address.
Recent changes to your operating system software such as upgrades, downloads, and/or system enhancements can affect your computer's ability to connect with secure sites, including our eStatement site. We recommend trying the following steps:
- Verify that you are current on all computer updates. In Windows, from the Start menu, click on Windows Update, and download recommended updates and patches, then shut down and restart the computer. In a Mac, click on the apple in the upper left hand corner and select updates.
- Un-install and re-install Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Ensure that you are using the most up to date version of your browser.
- Some pop-up blocker and firewall programs may prevent access to eStatements. If you utilize these types of applications, you may need to disable certain features of the programs in order to access your eStatements.
One of the following browsers with 128-bit encryption is required:
- Internet Explorer 8 and above
- Firefox 23 and above
- Safari 6.0 and above
- Chrome 29 and above
ATMs
There is no ATM fee for transactions at a Sandia Area ATM or any ATM within the CO-OP network. Charges may apply for foreign ATM transactions. To find a CO-OP Network ATM please visit our ATM Locator.
Deposits made at an ATM are held for 2-5 business days.
No, but there is a $3 charge to replace an ATM Card.
Questions about Loans and Lending
Loans and Credit
There are a number of convenient ways members can pay their loans at Sandia Area. See here for details ►
No. The credit bureau does not allow us to give out copies of the report. You can learn more about requesting a free credit report annually here ►
No, anyone can apply for a loan with Sandia Area. Upon closing your loan, membership is required and can be established at that point.
Yes. Sandia Area has all the options for purchasing or refinancing your home.
Yes, we offer many types of business loans.
You can call, come in or apply for the loan you want online.
You can call, come in or apply online.
Questions about Checking and Savings
Checking
Yes, a member can set up overdraft protection. There must be an attached savings account or line of credit for this purpose so that funds may be pulled from the account to fund the overdraft.
Yes, this can vary, so please refer to our Funds Availability Policy.
You can easily reorder checks within Online Banking, call, or visit any location.
If your checks are stolen please call or visit a branch immediately. A Member Services Officer will get the needed information to flag your checks within their range of check of numbers.
Debit Cards
Yes, your card can be used anywhere MasterCard is accepted.
New accounts receive accompanying check/debit cards at no cost. When your card expires, you will receive a new card at no cost. If you need a replacement card there may be a $5 charge.
There is a $500 withdrawal limit for debit cards.
When you use your debit card at some merchants like gas stations, hotels or rental cars, they put a "hold" on funds, usually the purchase total. These transactions do not post to your account immediately, but funds in the amount of the purchase will be placed on hold in your checking account. This is a way of reserving those funds in your account for the debit card purchase. Most holds are removed automatically when the transaction posts to your account – usually within one or two days.
The terms "debit card" and "check card" mean the same thing. A debit card withdraws money from your checking account as a check does; therefore, it debits your account. It can be used to make purchases at any retail establishment that accepts MasterCard debit cards.
Share Certificates
Interest rates on Certificates vary and are based on the term of the certificate and on the opening balance of the certificate.
A Share Certificate is a savings certificate entitling the bearer to receive dividends. A certificate bears a maturity date, a specified fixed interest rate and can be issued in any denomination. When you open a certificate, your money is on deposit for a specific time period. For agreeing to keep it on deposit for a specified time period, you earn more than you would in a regular savings account. If you cash it in before its maturity date, you pay a penalty. Banks call them CDs.
Savings
Your money is insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an independent agency of the United States Government. Your savings is federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.
IRAs and Retirement
Yes, we have a variety of options available. Please stop by or call 505-292-6343 ext 5 and speak with a Member Service Officer.
A Roth IRA is an individual retirement account created by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. Roth IRA accounts are traditionally used as retirement savings accounts. They allow limited contributions to be made throughout the tax year and can be withdrawn within 5 years after establishing the account provided you are aged 59 1/2 or older.
Those who work for a living can contribute to a Roth IRA account. The income must be derived from actual work efforts and compensation in the form of wages, tips, salaries, bonuses and professional fees.
Other Products and Services
Yes, Sandia Area Investment Services offers a variety of options. Non-obligation appointments can be made at any of our branch locations (or by clicking here). Simply call 505-256-6343 ext. 1508.