Contact Information
Message
Chat
Application Status
Relationship Banker
Frequently Asked Questions
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 >
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.
Yes, we do finance commercial vehicles!
View Business Loans >
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.
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.
We currently do not offer VA loans.
$0 unless property is in a trust and/or there are unrecorded discharges that need to be recorded.
Different Mortgage programs will have varying qualifications. Please contact a mortgage specialist to discuss your options.
Send message to Mortgage Specialist >
Yes. You may pay your Direct Federal Visa bill online using any checking account.
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!
Yes! You can start a chat with us by clicking on the text bubble icon on the login page and the dashboard
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 can apply for a credit limit of up to $25,000.
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.
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.
In order to use Zelle®, the sender and recipient's bank or credit union accounts must be based in the U.S.
It takes about five minutes to apply and you will have an answer within one business day.
There is no cash advance fee.
Funds cannot be added to an existing CD Share Certificate.
The Home Equity grace period is 10 days.
You may finance automobiles, SUVs, pickup trucks, and minivans for consumer use. For commercial vehicles, visit the Business Loans page.
Direct Federal Credit Union
ISAOA/ATIMA
50 Cabot Street
Needham, MA 02494
There is no over limit fees.
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.
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
If you'd like to get in touch with us via message, please utilize our secure Message Center in Digital Banking.
Log in to access Message Center >
$395 if the line is closed during the first two years.
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.
New Retail Auto:
New Retail Autos are defined as vehicles from the current or previous model year. Also, a vehicle is considered new if it has not been previously titled or has fewer than 7,500 miles (i.e. dealer demonstrators).
Used Retail Auto:
Used Retail Autos are defined as vehicles no more than eight model years removed from the definition of new.
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.
Information on your rights to dispute transactions and how to exercise those rights is provided in the Agreement.
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 >
We currently do not offer land loans but please check back in with us in the future!
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.
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.
Only new HELOCs are eligible for the introductory rate. Increases/refinances of an existing HELOC at Direct Federal do not qualify.
If your payments are on time, there are no fees.
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.
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.
Possible reasons for the difference in balance and available balance could be as follows:
-SAME-DAY AVAILABILITY
Funds from the following deposits are available on the day of deposit:
• Cash.
• Electronic deposits, including wire transfers and pre-authorized credits (such as social security benefits and payroll payments), but not including check deposits sent to the Credit Union through Mobile Deposit.
• Checks drawn on Direct Federal Credit Union.
• The lesser of (1) $1000 or (2) all other deposits (except Foreign Checks).
NEXT-DAY AVAILABILITY
Funds from the following deposits are available on the first business day after the day of deposit:
• Checks drawn on the United States Treasury and payable to you
• The following checks, if they are payable to you and are deposited in person at a branch: • Commonwealth of Massachusetts and local government checks
• Cashier’s, certified, and teller’s checks
• Checks drawn on a Federal Reserve Bank or a Federal Home Loan Bank
• U.S. Postal Money Orders
SECOND-DAY AVAILABILITY
Funds from the following deposits are available on the second business day after the day of deposit:
• The following checks, if they are not payable to you and/or are not deposited in person at a branch: • Commonwealth of Massachusetts and local government checks
• Cashier’s, certified, and teller’s checks
• Checks drawn on a Federal Reserve Bank or a Federal Home Loan Bank
• U.S. Postal Money Orders
• The lesser of (1) all other deposits (except Foreign Checks) or (2) the first $5,000 of all deposits you made that day minus any portion of such amount that has already been made available to you.
FIFTH-DAY AVAILABILITY
All other deposits (except Foreign Checks) will be available no later than the fifth business day after the day of your deposit.
LONGER DELAYS MAY APPLY
-Pending transactions have yet to post to the account.
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.
Rates vary based on your creditworthiness. The rate can vary monthly and is based on the Prime rate published in The Wall Street Journal.
Applicants under 18 require a joint owner on the account.
You can submit a Stop Payment Request through Online Banking via Tools > Check Services.
Submit an application online or call to speak with Mortgage Loan Officer.
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.
We currently do not offer FHA loans.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As part of your loan agreement with Direct Federal, and because your car is serving as the collateral for the loan, you are required to provide the title to us within 90 days of opening the loan. The title must display your name as the owner and list Direct Federal as a lienholder. Being a lienholder means we have an interest in the property that is on the title until the loan is paid in full.
If we receive a title for your vehicle that does not have “Direct FCU” listed as lienholder, forms to add lienholder will be mailed to you. Please complete the highlighted sections and return them in the envelope provided along with a check made payable to the applicable RMV so we can file for lien placement on your behalf.
Note: If the envelope is lost, please send documents to:
Direct Federal Credit Union
Attn: Loan Servicing
50 Cabot Street
Needham, MA 02494
The following must be done if you have lost or misplaced your title after the vehicle loan is paid in full and our lien is released:
Bring the paid loan letter, which includes the lien release statement, to your RMV to request a new title.
You will be responsible for all fees. The RMVs does not allow Direct Federal to apply for a duplicate title on your behalf since we are no longer a lienholder.
Yes! The Joint account holder can create their own user login.
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!
Dividends start to accrue on the date the account is funded.
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.
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
We do not offer foreign currency exchange services at this time.
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 can ensure that you're on the newest app version available by turning on automatic updates in your device settings
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 update your contact information by updating your account profile in Digital Banking, by calling Member Services, or by visiting our branch.
You can only cancel a payment if the person you sent money to hasn't yet enrolled with Zelle®. To check whether the payment is still pending because the recipient hasn't yet enrolled, you can go to your activity page, choose the payment you want to cancel, and then select "Cancel This Payment". If you do not see this option available, please contact our customer support team at 7814556500 for assistance with canceling the pending payment.
If the person you sent money to has already enrolled with Zelle®, the money is sent directly to their bank account and cannot be canceled. This is why it's important to only send money to people you trust, and always ensure you've used the correct email address or U.S. mobile number when sending money.
If you sent money to the wrong person, please immediately call our customer support team at 7814556500 so we can help you.
You can get free checks with a Hub or Community checking account. Your initial check order is sent at the time the checking is opened. You can also reorder checks through online banking, our member service center, or in the branch.
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.
No, Direct Federal Credit Union does not charge any fees to use Zelle® in our mobile app.
Your mobile carrier's messaging and data rates may apply.
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!
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.
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.
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 >
There are no closing costs.
Yes. In the application, please select "Refinance Home Loan" as the "Loan Purpose".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Prepayment is allowed at any time without penalty. If you pay-off the balance and decide to close the line within the first two years, you will be charged a $395 Early Termination Fee.
Your IRS forms will be available under Statements within Digital Banking.
View Statements >
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.
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.
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.
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.
We currently do not offer 529 plans.
View our banking account options >
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
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
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”.
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.
Any phone numbers that Direct Federal has in your records may be sent alerts.
Once your application has been approved, you can expect your new card in the mail within 1-2 business days.
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.
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.
If you are travelling within the U.S., you will receive phone calls, text messages and emails. If you are travelling internationally, you will receive emails. You will only receive text messages if your mobile phone plan allows you to receive them while traveling outside of the United States.
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.
You can send, request, or receive money with Zelle®. To get started, log into the Direct Federal Credit Union App. In the main menu, select "Transfer and Pay". Then "Send money with Zelle®".
To send money using Zelle®, simply select someone from your mobile device's contacts (or add a trusted recipient's email address or U.S. mobile number), add the amount you'd like to send and an optional note, review, then hit "Send." The recipient will receive an email or text message notification via the method they used to enroll with Zelle®. Money is available to your recipient in minutes if they are already enrolled with Zelle®.
To request money using Zelle®, choose "Request," select the individual from whom you'd like to request money, enter the amount you'd like, include an optional note, review and hit "Request". If the person you are requesting money from is not yet enrolled with Zelle®, you must use their email address to request money. If the person has enrolled their U.S. mobile number, then you can send the request using their mobile number.
To receive money, just share your enrolled email address or U.S. mobile number with a friend and ask them to send you money with Zelle®. If you have already enrolled with Zelle®, you do not need to take any further action. The money will be sent directly into your Direct Federal Credit Union account, typically within minutes.
If someone sent you money with Zelle® and you have not yet enrolled with Zelle®, follow these steps:
- Click on link provided in the payment notification you received via email or text message.
- Select Direct Federal Credit Union.
- Follow the instructions provided on the page to enroll and receive your payment. Pay attention to the email address or U.S. mobile number where you received the payment notification - you should enroll with Zelle® using that email address or U.S. mobile number to ensure you receive your money.