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Frequently Asked Questions
If your payments are on time, there are no fees.
Submit an application online or call to speak with Mortgage Loan Officer.
Direct Federal lends on properties located in the following locations:
Massachusetts Counties – Barnstable, Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester County.
New Hampshire – All Counties in New Hampshire.
Rhode Island – All Counties in Rhode Island.
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.
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.
Your card may be blocked for use and future transactions would be declined until the fraud alert is cleared.
Fraud Alerts are transmitted to the phone number(s) and/or email address associated with the card used at the time of the transaction. If a joint cardholder is receiving alerts, it is because that cardholder’s phone number and/or email address is associated with the card transacting. If the fraud alerts should have gone to another cardholder on your account, we ask that you update the contact information for that cardholder.
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.
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.
We offer a variety of options to pay a Direct Federal Loan or Line of Credit.
Please call us at 888.2DIRECT.
Upon confirming that a transaction is valid, you may retry the transaction immediately.
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.
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.
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.
Only new HELOCs are eligible for the introductory rate. Increases/refinances of an existing HELOC at Direct Federal do not qualify.
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.
You can reset your password.
Reset Password >
If you are locked out of your account please call us at 888.2DIRECT.
Applicants under 18 require a joint owner on the account.
Yes! You can start a chat with us by clicking on the text bubble icon on the login page and the dashboard
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.
You can update your contact information by updating your account profile in Digital Banking, by calling Member Services, or by visiting our branch.
Yes. In the application, please select "Refinance Home Loan" as the "Loan Purpose".
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.
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.
There is no over limit fees.
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.
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.
We do not offer foreign currency exchange services at this time.
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.
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 >
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 can find your account numbers within Digital Banking under Account Details.
View Account Information >
There are no closing costs.
Money Market dividends are are compounded monthly, and posted monthly.
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.
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”.
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.
We currently do not offer safety deposit boxes at this time.
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.
CD dividends are compounded daily and posted monthly.
Any phone numbers that Direct Federal has in your records may be sent alerts.
You can submit a Stop Payment Request through Online Banking via Tools > Check Services.
Yes, you can add GAP insurance to any auto loan for a low flat rate of $395. Learn more about GAP >
No. Calculator results are estimates provided for informational purposes only and do not represent a loan offer or approval. Actual rates, payments, and terms are based on a full application review and may vary.
Yes! The Joint account holder can create their own user login.
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 >
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.
In order to use Zelle®, the sender and recipient's bank or credit union accounts must be based in the U.S.
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.
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.
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.
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 >
$0 unless property is in a trust and/or there are unrecorded discharges that need to be recorded.
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 >
The Home Equity grace period is 10 days.
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)
$395 if the line is closed during the first two years.
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.
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.
The date that is displayed is the estimated delivery date of the check, not the date the payment is sent from your account.
Final payments may differ due to changes in the Prime Rate, approved loan amount, property value, credit profile, or selected repayment options.
There is no annual fee.
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.
Yes, Direct Federal debit and credit cards can be added to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
We do not offer Student loans at this time, but click below to learn more about what personal loans and lines of credit we offer!
View Home Equity >
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.
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!
Yes. Most HELOCs have variable interest rates that can change based on the Prime Rate. A rate change will affect your monthly 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.
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, we offer SBA loans!
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.
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.
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.
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.
It takes about five minutes to apply and you will have an answer within one business day.
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.
Our Routing & Transit Number is: 211381783
1% of each transaction in US dollars.
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
We currently do not offer land loans but please check back in with us in the future!
For primary residences, eligible borrowers may access up to 80% of their home’s combined loan‑to‑value (CLTV).
Direct Federal Credit Union
ISAOA/ATIMA
P.O. Box 2092
Carmel, IN 46082
If you want flexibility and ongoing access to funds, a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) may be the better fit. If you prefer a fixed payment and know exactly how much you need, a Home Equity Loan (HELOAN) may make more sense.
HELOC
Best for ongoing or uncertain expenses. Variable interest rate.
HELOAN
Best for one-time projects/lump sum upfront. Fixed interest rate.
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.
Rates vary based on your creditworthiness. The rate can vary monthly and is based on the Prime rate published in The Wall Street Journal.
HELOC closings take place at our Branch located in Needham, MA.
50 Cabot St. Needham, MA 02494
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.
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.
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.
We currently do not offer Educational Savings Accounts.
View our banking account options >
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.
There are no balance transfer fees.
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.
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.
Once your application has been approved, you can expect your new card in the mail within 1-2 business days.
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.