Contact Information

At Direct Federal Credit Union, connecting with us is easy and accommodating. We understand that life doesn't adhere to a 9-to-5 schedule, and neither do we. Here are multiple avenues to reach out and get the support you need, whenever you need it.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Use the search bar below to sort through our library of FAQs to learn more about a specific product, service, or process.
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Can I add more money to my CD account?

Funds cannot be added to an existing CD Share Certificate.

Why am I seeing my child’s account and/or accounts?

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.

How do I set up Recurring Payments?

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 >

How can I pay my bill?

We offer a variety of options to pay a Direct Federal Loan or Line of Credit.

View payment options for Direct Federal Loans and Lines >

How do you calculate my credit card balance?

We use a method called “average daily balance.” Refer to the section “Finance Charges” within the Agreement for more information on how your balance is calculated.

Visa Credit Card Agreement (Consumer)

How do I make a Principal only payment?

Navigate to the transfers and pay tab and then click on transfers and loan payments. Please note, that Principal payments CANNOT be made from external accounts. Once you have navigated to the transfers widget, select which accounts you'd like the money to come out of and which loan you will be paying. Once the accounts are selected the "Principal Payment" option will appear. Your loan must be up to date.

How do I know what the Principal and Interest breakdown is on my loan payment?

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.

Do you offer boat loans?

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!

View Home Equity >

View Personal Loans >

View Credit Cards >

I accidentally marked a valid transaction as fraudulent. What do I do now?

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.

Where do HELOC closings take place?

HELOC closings take place at our Branch located in Needham, MA.

How can I check the status of an application?

If you are an existing member, the easiest way to check the status of an application is through the Application Center within Digital Banking.

Check Status as a Member >


If you are not a member, please visit our Application Status Center.

Check Application Status >

What if I want to send money to someone whose bank or credit union doesn't offer Zelle

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.

Is there a credit card annual fee?

There is no annual fee.

What is the difference between a Title and Registration?

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.

How do I log in for the first time?
Are properties in a trust eligible for a HELOC?

Yes, Direct Federal will allow properties that are placed in acceptable trusts.  The trust must be reviewed by our Attorney and must meet all of our guidelines and requirements for the transaction to move forward.  The applicant will need to provide a full copy of the Trust agreement for review.  The applicant must be the trustee or one of the co-trustees.  All trustees must be 18 years of age or older.  Additionally, the trustee must be authorized to borrow money and encumber real estate.

Do you offer HSAs?

We currently do not offer Health Savings Accounts.

View our banking account options >

How do I transfer a balance to my credit card?

Log in to Online Banking or our Mobile App Hover over Menu item "Tools"Select "Card Management"Select your Visa Credit Card. Select "Balance Transfer", input Card Issuer Details and Submit!

Transfer Balance Now >

What is Direct Federal's lienholder information?

Direct Federal Credit Union
ISAOA/ATIMA

50 Cabot Street
Needham, MA 02494

Is there a balance transfer fee for credit cards?

There are no balance transfer fees.

Can I request a stop payment on a check online?

You can submit a Stop Payment Request through Online Banking via Tools > Check Services.

Submit Stop Payment Request >

Is live chat still available on the app?

Yes! You can start a chat with us by clicking on the text bubble icon on the login page and the dashboard

What does it mean to have a returned check?

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.

How do the credit card rewards work?

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.

Is there a credit card foreign transaction fee?

1% of each transaction in US dollars.

How do I track the status of my Bill Payments?

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.

Is the fraud alert service safe and secure?

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.

Do you offer 529 plans?

We currently do not offer 529 plans.

View our banking account options >

What types of properties qualify for a Direct HELOC?

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

Where do I access Bill Pay?

You can access Bill Pay by clicking here or you can access Bill Pay from our Mobile App. Bill Pay can be found by selecting More > Transfer & Pay > Bill Pay.

What is the minimum or maximum home equity line amount I can apply for?

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.

Who can I send money to with Zelle

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.

What happens after my mortgage application is approved?

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.

How do I change or remove names from my Title?

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.

How can I increase my credit limit?

You can request a Home Equity Line of Credit and Credit Card increase through Online Banking.

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. Home Equity Line Refinances/Increases have a $295 fee.

Click here to apply to refinance/increase your existing Home Equity Line >

Submit Credit Card Limit increase request >

Why am I receiving a fraud alert?

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.

Is there a credit card over limit fee?

There is no over limit fees.

How can I upload proof of insurance for my vehicle?
When will the money come out of my account for each Bill?

Your account will not be debited until the payment has been either delivered electronically or until the check is cashed.Reminder will be sent at 60 days if the check remains undeposited. Should an undeposited check extend to 90 days, Bill Pay will automatically void the check and refund the money to the member’s account at no charge.

Will my credit be pulled if I need a Home Equity increase?

Yes, 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 >

I authorized a check over the phone, why do I not see the check copy?

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.

What does my credit score need to be to qualify for a mortgage?

Different Mortgage programs will have varying qualifications. Please contact a mortgage specialist to discuss your options.

Send message to Mortgage Specialist >

Do you offer land loans?

We currently do not offer land loans but please check back in with us in the future!

How are CD dividends compounded?

CD dividends are compounded daily and posted monthly.

Do you offer motorcycle loans?

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!

View Home Equity >

View Personal Loans >

View Credit Cards >

Are there closing costs for a HELOC?

There are no closing costs.

What is "ACH"?

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.

I have a Joint on my account, can he/she/they have their own online banking?

Yes! The Joint account holder can create their own user login.

Do you offer GAP insurance?

Yes, you can add GAP insurance to any auto loan for a low flat rate of $395. Learn more about GAP >

How does Bill Pay work?

Bill Pay allows you to pay all of your bills, outside of Direct Federal Credit Union, in one place. Your payments will be delivered electronically or by check depending on the recipient. You can schedule one-time or recurring payments.

Do you offer foreign currency exchange?

We do not offer foreign currency exchange services at this time.

What documentation is required to close a home equity loan or line?

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.

What is the home equity line repayment period?

At the end of your 15-Year Draw Period, you will enter the Repayment Period. The Repayment Period is 15 years of principal and interest. The rate remains variable based on your Home Equity agreement.

Can I Use Zelle Internationally?

In order to use Zelle®, the sender and recipient's bank or credit union accounts must be based in the U.S.


What if I or the RMV lose my Title while doing a state or name change?

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.

What if I need more money?

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.

How much of my home equity can I borrow?

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.

How do I set up a new Payee in Bill Pay?

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.

When is my first payment due for my auto loan?

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.

What is the credit limit on a Direct Federal Visa®?

You can apply for a credit limit of up to $25,000.

When is the dividend rate in effect?

Dividends start to accrue on the date the  account is funded.

What is the Recording fee for a HELOC?

$0 unless property is in a trust and/or there are unrecorded discharges that need to be recorded.

Can I withdraw my CD dividends?

Monthly dividends are available for withdrawal without penalty.

I accidentally responded to an alert that a fraudulent transaction was valid. What do I do now?

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.

If I already have a home equity line am I eligible for an increase?

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 >

What types of vehicles can I finance?

You may finance automobiles, SUVs, pickup trucks, and minivans for consumer use. For commercial vehicles, visit the Business Loans page.

Do you offer SBA loans?

Yes, we offer SBA loans!


Request more information >

What is the "draw period" on a home equity line?

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.

Is there a credit card cash advance fee?

There is no cash advance fee.

Are there any fees associated with my Direct Federal Visa®?

If your payments are on time, there are no fees.

Visa Credit Card Agreement (Consumer)

How do I make a payment on my Direct Federal Loan from another financial institution?

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.

Are my deposits insured?

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.

How do the Home Equity Fixed Rate Options work?

This feature is for existing Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) only. You cannot get a Fixed-Rate Option without first having a Home Equity Line of Credit. However, a HELOC can be converted to a Fixed Rate Carve Out during the initial HELOC closing.

The HELOC limit will be reduced by the amount of the fixed rate loan, but once it is paid off, the limit will replenish. Terms available: 5, 10, 15, and 20 years.  There are no fees associated with a Home Equity Fixed Rate Carve Out.

Maximum number of Fixed-Rate Carve Outs: 3

We do not pull credit for carve outs.

Do you offer RV loans?

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!

View Home Equity >

View Personal Loans >

View Credit Cards >

Can I pay off a home equity loan or line with another lender using a Direct Federal Home Equity Loan or Line?

Yes. In the application, please select "Refinance Home Loan" as the "Loan Purpose".

Do you offer FHA loans?

We currently do not offer FHA loans.

Can I pay a small business with Zelle?

Some small businesses are able to receive payments with Zelle®. Ask your favorite small business if they accept payments with Zelle®. If they do, you can pay them directly from your Direct Federal Credit Union App​ using just their email address or U.S. mobile number.

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.

Can my card be added to a digital wallet?

Yes, Direct Federal debit and credit cards can be added to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

How do I apply for a mortgage?

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

How do I update my contact information (phone numbers, email addresses, etc.)?

You can update your contact information by updating your account profile in Digital Banking, by calling Member Services, or by visiting our branch.

Update in Digital Banking >

How do I get pre-approved?

Submit an application online or call to speak with Mortgage Loan Officer.

Do you offer loans for commercial/business vehicles?

Yes, we do finance commercial vehicles!

View Business Loans >

How long do I have to use my Direct Federal Auto loan?

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.

How can I get my 1099 Tax Forms online?

Your IRS forms will be available under Statements within Digital Banking.

View Statements >

What is the "normal" interest rate on a Direct Federal Visa®?

Rates vary based on your creditworthiness. The rate can vary monthly and is based on the Prime rate published in The Wall Street Journal.

How do I see what Bills I have being paid each month within Bill Pay?

On the “Payments” tab of the Bill Pay widget, you will see “Payment Activity”. There you will see what Bills are scheduled to be paid in the current month. By clicking “Next” or “Previous” you can see what is scheduled to be paid or has been paid in the previous month. If you need additional information about any payment such as the payment frequency or the check number, click on the individual payment to be brought to the payment details.Alternatively, if you click on the “Manage Payees” tab within the Bill Pay widget and select an individual Payee you can view historical and scheduled payments for each Payee. Please note that payment history is only available from 2/1/21 and on. Please reference your past statements for payments prior to that.

I made a Loan payment, and I am still seeing a notification that my Loan is due. Did it not go through?

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.

Do you charge to use the coin machine at the branch?

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-12pm).

Please contact us at 888.2DIRECT if you plan on coming into the Branch to use the coin machine.

How can I get cash advances using my Direct Federal Visa®?

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.

Where can I find my credit card reward points?

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.

Can I get the introductory rate on my existing Home Equity Line of Credit?

Only new HELOCs are eligible for the introductory rate. Increases/refinances of an existing HELOC at Direct Federal do not qualify.

How much can I borrow for my auto loan?

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.

Can I pay my Direct Federal Visa® bill online?

Yes. You may pay your Direct Federal Visa bill online using any checking account.

View Payment Options

How do I stop receiving fraud alerts? What should I do if I don’t want to get a fraud alert at a certain phone number?

1. You can opt out of text alerts by replying “STOP” to the text message

2. You can opt out of phone calls when the alert system calls you.

3. Click on the Unsubscribe link in the email to stop the emails.

4. Contact our Call Center to ask to stop receiving fraud alerts.

5. Visit a branch to ask to stop receiving fraud alerts.

What happens when my CD matures?

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.

Is my information secure using Zelle?

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.

Why is my checking account balance more than my available balance?

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.

What is your Fax number?

Our fax number is 781-433-2922.

How do I make a payment on my Direct Federal Loan from a Direct Federal Account?

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.

Will fraud alerts contain any personal information?

We will not transmit sensitive personal information through alerts.