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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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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.

Is there a credit card foreign transaction fee?

1% of each transaction in US dollars.

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.

What is considered a "new auto" versus a "used auto"?

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.

How can I pay my bill?

We offer a variety of options to pay a Direct Federal Loan or Line of Credit.
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View payment options for Direct Federal Loans and Lines >

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.

What do I need to do with my Title if I am moving to another state?

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.

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.

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:

-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.

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.

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