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Frequently Asked Questions
The title proves that you own the vehicle. The registration is permission from the state to operate it on the road. It will come to you with license plates and/or a sticker to display on the vehicle. In most states, your registration should always be with your vehicle, just like your license plates.
The final step of owning your new vehicle is to register and title it at your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (RMV). It may also be known as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), or the Department of Transportation (DOT), depending on your state. For simplicity here, we will refer to it as the RMV.
Direct Federal only holds onto the title while your auto loan is open if you do not live in an owner retained state. If you live in an owner retained state, the RMV will send you the title to keep safe until your loan is paid in full.
Different Mortgage programs will have varying qualifications. Please contact a mortgage specialist to discuss your options.
Send message to Mortgage Specialist >
If you accidentally opted of out text alerts from a mobile phone, when the digital system calls to verify activity, the system will provide the opportunity to opt back into text alerts for the mobile phone. For all fraud alert types, please call the number on the back of your card to re-enable fraud alerts to an email address, a mobile phone or landline phone number. You can also visit a branch for assistance.
We do not offer RV loans at this time, but click below to learn more about what personal loans and lines of credit we offer!
You will automatically be enrolled to receive all fraud alerts via the contact methods on your account, ie., email address, cell phone, home phone, work phone, etc.
We offer a variety of options to pay a Direct Federal Loan or Line of Credit.
We currently do not offer 529 plans.
View our banking account options >
With Direct Federal, you can open a Home Equity Loan or Line for:
Primary Residences: Any amount between $20,000 and $500,000.
Second Homes and Investment Properties: Any amount between $20,000 and $200,000.
If you realize you need more money to finance your purchase once you start shopping for your car, simply call us at 781.455.6500.
Cash Back rewards applies to purchases posted on your account less credits for returned merchandise. Point cash value of $.01 will be earned for every qualifying dollar. Rewards will be processed annually in November and a check will automatically be mailed to you. Minimum of 5,000 points required for redemption.
At maturity, Share Certificates (CD) will rollover into the same term at the current rate being offered, unless Direct Federal is notified prior to maturity or during the 7-day grace period.
You can borrow 120% of the value of your car (subject to our maximum auto loan limit of $100,000). This allows you to finance the entire purchase price, plus GAP insurance and the sales tax.
You will first need to link your external account to online banking. To link your external account navigate to the transfers and pay menu option and then click on transfers & loan payments. Once you are in the transfers widget click on "more actions" and then "add account." Once your account has been added it will appear in the dropdown menus within the Transfers and loan payment widget.
If rates rise from the time you apply until the time you use your loan, you will get the lower rate that was in effect when you applied. If rates fall from the time you apply until the time you use your loan, you will get the lower rate in effect at the time of purchase.
We currently do not offer FHA loans.
The date that is displayed is the estimated delivery date of the check, not the date the payment is sent from your account.
Dividends start to accrue on the date the account is funded.
Direct Federal lends on properties located in the following locations:
Massachusetts Counties: Norfolk, Middlesex, Suffolk, Plymouth, Essex, Bristol, Worcester, and Barnstable
Rhode Island Counties: All Counties in Rhode Island
New Hampshire Counties: Rockingham, Hillsborough, and Cheshire
Information on your rights to dispute transactions and how to exercise those rights is provided in the Agreement.
Depending on the assessed value of your home, and the amount of equity you have in it, you may be eligible to refinance/increase your existing Direct Federal Home Equity Line. You will need to submit a HELOC application and select "Home Equity Increase (Refinance)" as the purpose. Home Equity Line Refinances/Increases have a $295 fee.
Click here to apply to refinance/increase your existing Home Equity Line >
Rates vary based on your creditworthiness. The rate can vary monthly and is based on the Prime rate published in The Wall Street Journal.
Your card may be blocked for use and future transactions would be declined until the fraud alert is cleared.
There is no over limit fees.
There is no annual fee.
Go to the Bill Pay widget and click on the “Manage Payees” tab. Then select “Add Payee”. You can add a Payee by searching your Payee within our database. If your payee is there, the information about the Payee will auto-fill. If it is not in our database, you can select “click here to create a Payee manually.” You will need to have your Payees information nearby including Name, Account Number, Email address, and Mailing Address.
1% of each transaction in US dollars.
We currently do not offer Health Savings Accounts.
View our banking account options >
Yes, you can add GAP insurance to any auto loan for a low flat rate of $395. Learn more about GAP >
Fraud alerts are sent to cardholders when potentially fraudulent transactions are detected on their accounts. We want to ensure that any questionable transactions were authorized by the cardholder.
The status of your payments is located under “Payment activity” within the “Payments” tab of the Bill Pay widget. Click on each individual payment to obtain details and the status of your payment.
Applicants under 18 require a joint owner on the account.
Required documentation will include but is not limited to: an insurance binder or insurance declaration page, income verification, mortgage statement, and valid license or identification.
We currently do not offer land loans but please check back in with us in the future!
CD dividends are compounded daily and posted monthly.
You can locate your credit card reward points balance on your credit card statement. You can access this statement within Digital Banking.
View credit card statement >
Reminder
Rewards will be processed annually in November and a check will automatically be mailed to you. Minimum of 5,000 points required for redemption.
You can ensure that you're on the newest app version available by turning on automatic updates in your device settings
Possible reasons for the difference in balance and available balance could be as follows:
-Funds being held according to our check hold policy
($1,000.00 available immediately, remaining balance up to $5,000 are subject to a 2 business day hold, $5,000.00+ are subject to a 5 business day hold)
-Pending transactions have yet to post to the account.
Login to Digital Banking and access the transfers widget. After choosing your account and loan from the dropdown menus, you can then specify the frequency for your recurring payments.
Login to Digital Banking >
We do not offer Boat loans at this time, but click below to learn more about what personal loans and lines of credit we offer!
We currently do not offer safety deposit boxes at this time.
When you mark a transaction as fraudulent, the response message you receive will include our fraud detection department’s toll-free number and it asks that you call to review the card activity, or you will receive a call from a fraud detection agent to review. The agent will be able to review the activity with you and clear the card for use.
You may finance automobiles, SUVs, pickup trucks, and minivans for consumer use. For commercial vehicles, visit the Business Loans page.
An ACH, or Automated Clearing House, transaction is an electronic transaction that allows merchants to access your account. For example, payroll direct deposits are ACH deposits. Additionally, things like gym membership dues can be set up as ACH withdrawals.
You are eligible for cash advances by going to ATMs or banks that are part of the Visa network. You can also transfer cash advance funds from your credit card to a Direct Federal savings, checking, or money market account. Direct does not charge a cash advance fee.
You will receive three letters notifying you that your title, with Direct Federal listed as lienholder, has not been received. If the title is not received within 90 days of your loan funds being disbursed, your interest rate may be increased to 18.00% APR (Annual Percentage Rate). Once we receive the perfected title, we will revert the rate to the rate on your loan agreement. This will not affect your credit history.
Agree to receive your monthly statement through email (e-Statements)
AND
- One direct deposit into your account a month
OR - Five or more debit card transactions per calendar month.
(Excludes ATM + Zelle transactions)
If you are adding, changing, or removing a name on the title, you can submit a name change request through Online Banking or by calling our Contact Center at 888.2DIRECT.
IMPORTANT: Direct Federal cannot process the name change for you. You must complete this process with the applicable RMV.
This request allows us to print/prepare the title so you can process the name change at the RMV. We will mail the title and permission letter to the address you have on file with us. Then bring those documents to your RMV so they can process the name change and send the title back to us.
The Home Equity grace period is 10 days.
You can find a full list of participating banks and credit unions live with Zelle® at Zellepay.com.
If your recipient's bank or credit union isn't on the list, don't worry! The list of participating financial institutions is always growing, and your recipient can still use Zelle® by downloading the Zelle® app for Android and iOS.
To enroll with the Zelle® app, your recipient will enter their basic contact information, an email address or U.S. mobile number, and a Visa® or Mastercard® debit card with a U.S. based account (does not include U.S. territories). Zelle® does not accept debit cards associated with international deposit accounts or any credit cards.
If you are an existing member, the easiest way to check the status of an application is through the Application Center within Digital Banking.
If you are not a member, please visit our Application Status Center.
Money Market dividends are are compounded monthly, and posted monthly.
Our fax number is 781-433-2922.
We do not offer motorcycle loans at this time, but click below to learn more about what personal loans and lines of credit we offer!
Your first payment is due on the 30th of the month following the month you use your auto loan. For example, if you use your loan during September, your first payment will be due on October 30.
A Returned Deposited Item (RDI) - is a check that has been returned to a depositor because it could not be processed against the account which it was drawn on. Deposited items can be returned for many reasons, such as insufficient or unavailable funds (funds on hold), stop payment, closed account, missing signature, etc.
Yes! The Joint account holder can create their own user login.
It takes about five minutes to apply and you will have an answer within one business day.
We currently do not offer Educational Savings Accounts.
View our banking account options >
The notification will disappear once your payment has posted to the Loan. Please allow 4-5 days for your payment to process before queuing another payment.
In some cases merchants do not submit the physical check for payment. The check is converted into an electronic check (eCheck). This is also known as a digital version of a paper check (Image replacement Document). eChecks use the Automatic Clearing House (ACH) to debit from a members checking account.
Completing your mortgage application online is just like completing one on paper — with the added benefit of being able to complete it anytime, anywhere. Plus, at any time, you may stop and save your application; then return to it later. Expect your application to take about 15 minutes to complete. A series of prompts and helpful tips will guide you through each screen to help you through each stage of the application process, which includes the following steps:
Start App – You’ll be asked to select a username and password to ensure security and privacy. Create and enter your username and password here and make a note of them for your records.
Loan Details – Enter the address, price and other information related to the property.
Personal Info – Provide the name, date of birth and social security number for EACH borrower.
Employment Income – Tell us about your current employment situation, including gross income and any additional income you may receive.
Expenses – What is your current monthly expense for housing?
Asset Info – Provide a list of your financial assets, including bank accounts and investments, in order to verify that you have access to sufficient funds to complete the transaction.
Submit App – After a few final questions, simply submit the application to Direct Federal and a mortgage specialist will follow up with you
You can reset your password.
Reset Password >
If you are locked out of your account please call us at 888.2DIRECT.
You are able to see and access all of the accounts your Social Security Number is associated with at Direct Federal, under one login. This includes Custodial accounts, Joint accounts, and Trust accounts. If you see accounts you don't want to see, you can go to My Settings and click on Accounts. Here you will be able to hide/unhide and rename your accounts.
Our live chat platform supports the talk-to-text (dictation) feature available on your smart device. To use talk-to-text to chat with one of our live associates click on the “live chat” button found on the bottom left of your screen. Upon establishing a connection with a live chat associate, you may initiate the use of the talk-to-text feature.
The method for accessing the talk-to-text feature on your device's keyboard may vary depending on the type of smart device you are using. To assist you in locating the talk-to-text feature on your device, we have provided additional resources below.
Click here for Apple Keyboard
Click here for Google assistant (gboard)
*Other keyboards may support this feature. Contact your phone provider for additional assistance.
We do not charge for the coin machine but you must be a member to use it.
The coin machine is available Monday-Friday (8am-3pm) and Saturday (8am-11pm).
Please contact us at 888.2DIRECT if you plan on coming into the Branch to use the coin machine.
Zelle® is a great way to send money to family, friends, and people you are familiar with such as your personal trainer, babysitter or neighbor.1
Since money is sent directly from your Direct Federal Credit Union account to another person's bank account within minutes1, Zelle® should only be used to send money to friends, family and others you trust.
If you don't know the person or aren't sure you will get what you paid for (for example, items bought from an online bidding or sales site), you should not use Zelle®. These transactions are potentially high risk (just like sending cash to a person you don't know is high risk).
Neither Direct Federal Credit Union nor Zelle® offers purchase protection for payments made with Zelle®- for example, if you do not receive the item you paid for, or the item is not as described or as you expected. Only send money to people and small businesses you trust and always ensure you've used the correct email address or U.S. mobile number when sending money.
Our Routing & Transit Number is: 211381783
If you are moving to a different state within the U.S., a state change request should first be submitted through Online Banking or by calling our Contact Center at 888.2DIRECT.
IMPORTANT: Direct Federal cannot process the state change for you. You must complete this process with the applicable RMV.
This request allows us to print/prepare the title so you can process the state change at the RMV. We will mail the title to you at the address we have on file. Then bring it to the RMV to complete the title and registration in your new state. We cannot do this for you.
IMPORTANT: The process is different for owner retained states. If you live in an owner retained state, you do not have to file a state change with us. Simply go to your new RMV to title and register there. Please make sure all Direct Federal’s information is correct on all documentation so that we get notified of the state change.
Going to the RMV before filing a request with us will result in delayed processing of your forms. The RMV will contact us to request that the title be mailed to them, resulting in a higher chance of title loss. In this case, we will not be able to provide you with a duplicate title unless Direct Federal is listed as lienholder.
Keeping your money and information safe is a top priority for Direct Federal Credit Union. When you use Zelle® within our mobile app, your information is protected with the same technology we use to keep your Direct Federal Credit Union account safe.
Once your application has been approved, you can expect your new card in the mail within 1-2 business days.
We are federally Insured by the NCUA. The National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund was created by Congress in 1970 to insure members' deposits in federally insured credit unions. Each credit union member has at least $250,000 in total coverage in individual accounts.
The Share Insurance Fund also separately protects members’ IRA accounts up to $250,000 and provides additional coverage for members’ trust accounts.
The Share Insurance Fund has the backing of the full faith and credit of the United States. Credit union members have never lost even a penny of insured savings at a federally insured credit union.
We will not transmit sensitive personal information through alerts.
You have 60 days. If, for whatever reason, you do not use the loan during that time period and need another one, simply call us at 781.455.6500.
Yes, we do finance commercial vehicles!
View Business Loans >
We currently do not offer VA loans.
Yes. Our priority is to protect your personal information. When you return a fraud alert message, we will ask for the unique case # to your specific fraud alert.
Yes, we offer SBA loans!
Monthly dividends are available for withdrawal without penalty.
Unfortunately, you are unable to hide payees. If you have a payee that you do not use or do not use often you can add a “z” in front of the payee nickname to add it to the bottom of the list. Alternatively, when setting up Payees, you can add “tags” to each payee. This will allow you to sort by tag. For example, for Payees you pay each month you could add the tag “Monthly Payment”. You will then be able to sort by all Payees with the tag “Monthly Payment”.
Once you’ve submitted your application, you will have a personal Mortgage Specialist follow up with you to provide additional help and guidance. Your Mortgage Specialist will be your single point of contact from here. He or she will send you an approval letter, order an appraisal from a licensed appraiser familiar with home values in your area, and prepare your loan for closing. The closing will take place at the office of our attorney in your area, who will act as our agent. Before closing, your Mortgage Specialist will contact you to walk through the final information and answer any questions you might have.
One of the following must be done if you have lost or misplaced the title that was mailed to you while the loan is still open:
Contact Direct Federal at 888.2DIRECT to request a duplicate title. Processing time will depend on the RMV. You will be responsible for the state’s duplicate title fee.
Contact your state’s RMV if you live in an owner retained title state for a duplicate title. You will be responsible for the state’s duplicate title fee.
Funds cannot be added to an existing CD Share Certificate.
Within Online Banking, select your Loan and click on the specific payment you would like more information on. Then select "Breakdown" and you will be able to view the Principal and Interest breakdown of your loan payment.
There are no balance transfer fees.
$395 if the line is closed during the first two years.
In order to use Zelle®, the sender and recipient's bank or credit union accounts must be based in the U.S.
You can submit a Stop Payment Request through Online Banking via Tools > Check Services.
With Direct Federal, any savings account that you choose is federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. This deposit insurance protection is offered by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and is similar to the deposit insurance protection offered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
- Each savings account is insured up to $250,000 per account owner
- Individual Retirement Account (IRA) funds are separately covered up to $250,000
- Funds in a trust account are separately covered up to $250,000
Plus, you have the ability to increase the insurance on your accounts depending on the types of accounts you have and how your accounts are owned.
For a detailed explanation of the NCUA visit their site https://ncua.gov/about . To estimate your insurance coverage, go to NCUA Share Insurance Estimator.
Questions? Simply call the NCUA Insurance Call Center at 800.755.1030, ext. 1; or call Direct Federal at 781.455.6500.
There are no closing costs.
The amount you can borrow depends on the property type and the equity you have in your home.
Primary Residences: Up to 80% Combined Loan-To-Value (CLTV). Any amount between $20,000 and $500,000.
Second Home and Investment Properties: Up to 70% Combined Loan-To-Value (CLTV). Any amount between $20,000 and $200,000.
Please report the unauthorized transaction immediately by calling the phone number provided in the alerts or the number on the back of your card. The agent will then take care of marking the transaction as fraud and close the card.
Speak to a Direct Federal Member Service Representative. This can be done by visiting the branch or calling us at 781-455-6500. Once it is established that the item is unauthorized, an affidavit of forgery needs to be completed and either mailed to Direct Federal or taken into the branch for processing. Once the process is complete, the funds will be returned to your account.
Direct Federal lends on properties located in the following locations:
Massachusetts Counties: Norfolk, Middlesex, Suffolk, Plymouth, Essex, Bristol, Worcester, and Barnstable
Rhode Island Counties: All Counties in Rhode Island
New Hampshire Counties: Rockingham, Hillsborough, and Cheshire
There are no application fees, no closing costs, and no annual fees associated with a Direct Federal Home Equity Loan or Line. If the line is closed within the first two years of being opened an early termination fee of $395 would be applied.
Requested Lines $400,000 and above require an appraisal. Also, if you believe your home value is higher than our assessed value, an appraisal may be required in order for us to approve the amount requested.
Appraisal cost estimates:
Single-family unit - Approximately $500
Multi-unit -Approximately $650.00
To make a payment to your Direct Federal Loan from a Direct Federal Account, navigate to the “Transfers” feature. For the most payment options, including Principal only payments, click on the “Classic” tab. From there you will be able to select which account you want the payment to come from, which loan it should go to, how much you want to pay, and other payment options.
Once you get your title, there may be some changes that need to be made before the title is ready to be given to Direct Federal. Please do not write on your title, as this will void the title. In the Names and Mailing Address of Owners section, it must list you as the owner and your current address. If the title application with the RMV is completed properly, we will be notified that the title has been created with "Direct FCU" as lienholder.
IMPORTANT: The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on your Loan Note and Agreement must match the VIN on your title. If you are aware of any discrepancies, please contact us as soon as possible.
If the vehicle you are titling is for your business and you would like it in your business name, you must open a business membership and apply for a commercial loan. If you have started the loan as a personal vehicle loan, the title will need to be in your name.
Direct Federal’s lienholder information:
Direct Federal Credit Union
ISAOA/ATIMA
50 Cabot Street
Needham, MA 02494
Yes. You may pay your Direct Federal Visa bill online using any checking account.
The Draw Period is the period of time you can access funds from your Home Equity Line. Direct offers a 15-year draw period with interest-only monthly payment options.
You can apply for a credit limit of up to $25,000.