601 N. Canal St. Carlsbad, NM 88220 (575) 887-1785 or (575) 887-0098 Routing #: 312276111 u1stcfcu@pvtn.net | Lobby Hours: M – F: 9am – 5:00pm | Like Us on Facebook
1. Can I qualify for membership?
The USA Patriot Act states that in order to help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account.
What does this mean for you:
When you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth and other information that will allow us to identify you. We will also ask for your driver’s license or other identifying documents, such as your social security card.
The information we obtain is:
The Field of Membership to U-1st Community Federal Credit Union shall be limited to those having the following common bonds:
2. Who owns the credit union?
Credit Union are owned by their membership, rather than by external stockholders or investors. Each member has one vote, and volunteer directors are elected from the membership. Credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives.
3. What is the purpose of a credit union?
A credit union is similar to a bank but is a co-op that is often comprised of individuals with a certain occupation, location or members of a labor union. The purpose of the credit union is to provide services like loans and exclusive financial services to its members. Members of a credit union can take advantage of features like receiving profits on the money they have deposited, since the union offers high returns on savings and low interest rates on home and auto loans. All credit unions are non-profit and are owned by their members, meaning there are not any shareholders that are not directly affiliated with the credit union. Since all the money is kept “inside,” union members can take advantage of better service.
4. Why do I have to fill out a loan application each time I apply for a loan?
When you apply for a loan, you will need to fill out an application, “known as a credit application, to provide your personal information and income details. It is a standard practice for all financial institutions.
5. Are my savings insured?
Deposits are insured by the National Credit Union Association, NCUA. Deposits are insured for up to $250,000 for each membership account. NCUA insurance differs from traditional deposit insurance because it is funded by the credit unions themselves and is believed to be a much healthier and safer insurance fund. Visit NCUA.gov to learn more!
6. Can you provide my account number?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide account specific information including your account number other than in person.
7. Do you offer an automated phone service that can verify a check amount or my account balance?
At this time, U-1st Community FCU does not have an automated system to verify a check amount or your account balance. You can view all of your information either on our mobile app or online banking through our website www.u1stcommfcu.net.
8. Do you offer Cashier’s checks?
Yes, we do! They are FREE to our members. Non-members will pay a fee.
9. Do you offer investment services?
No, we do not offer actual investment services. We do offer Certificate of Deposits (aka Share Certificates), Traditional IRAs and Money Market Accounts to earn a higher rate of dividend.
10. Do you offer student loans?
We do not currently offer student loans however we have many loan options that may help pay for education. To view our loan options, visit our Personal Loans page.
11. Do you have any branches anywhere else?
No, we do not. U-1st Community Federal Credit Union has only one office located at 601 N. Canal Street, Carlsbad, NM.
12. Do you have an ATM?
No, we do not have an ATM. We choose to serve our members in person.
13. What is a Fresh Start Loan?
A Fresh Start loan is a loan that is designed for individuals with credit scores below 639. These loans provide access to funds, but typically at a higher interest rate with certain terms and conditions.
14. Does the credit union sponsor community events?
U-1st CFCU is committed to making a positive difference in the communities we serve. If you are seeking sponsorship, there are a few things that may be helpful for you to know.
In general, we do not provide sponsorships for individuals (for example, scholarship pageants, Business Week participants, etc.), or directly to political parties or candidates. We may consider sponsorship requests for nonprofit and civic organizations, schools, and others, and prioritize those whose efforts align with our three primary areas, which include: those struggling with homelessness, hunger, or initiatives to help further financial wellness education.
Additionally, we may consider requests for local community events.
To request sponsorship consideration, please submit the information to us via email at u1stcommfcu@pvtn.net
Please include the following information:
In order to protect your privacy, please do not send non-public information including account numbers, account balances, SSNs, etc. through e-mail.
15. How can I get my 1099-INT statement online?
1099-INT forms are only generated if you earned $10.00 or more in interest during the previous year. If your accounts earned at least $10.00 in dividends, you could find that form in the same place online that you can find your eStatements. If your accounts did not earn more than $10.00, you can find the amount of dividends earned last year on your December statements.
Did you know U-1st Community FCU members can get a discount on TurboTax? Visit Turbo Tax(Opens in a new window)
New to Online Banking? Learn more and enroll now!
Do not have access to mobile banking?
Now you can access your money whenever and wherever. Checking your account balance, transferring money, paying your bills – these all can be done via mobile app!
16. Does the credit union offer any perks for members?
Higher rates on interest-bearing accounts
Lower rates on loans
Lower fees
More personal touch when it comes to customer service
Various financial services, including savings accounts, checking accounts, loans, credit cards, and investment products
17. Does the credit union offer online account access?
Yes, you can view all your accounts on your mobile device! Now you can access your money whenever and wherever. Checking your account balance, transferring money, paying your bills – these all can be done via our mobile app!
18. How can I sign up for direct deposit?
Direct deposit is set up by your employer or the entity depositing into your account. You will need to provide them with our Routing Number, which is 312276111, along with your full 10-digit checking account number.
This information is also printed on the bottom of your checks.
If your employer is requesting something from us with your account information, please contact us and we will be happy to help! Our Member Representatives are also available to help you over the phone. Call 575-887-1785 or 1-800-377-6808.
19. How do I add a joint owner to my account?
To add a joint owner to your share account, your new account signer would need to provide a government issued photo ID, their social security number, and be eligible for accounts with us. This may require a credit inquiry to verify their membership eligibility. New account documents will be required, and we can process these in person.
20. How do I change address or any other contact information?
There are several ways to change your information on file with U-1st Community FCU.
21. How do I change my name?
To update your name, we will need to bring in the necessary documents to update your name on your accounts. Please contact us so we can get this process started for you. You will also need valid identification with your new name and previous identification with your former name or a legal document such as a marriage license, divorce decree, etc. that supports the requested name change.
22. How do I close my account?
We are sorry to see you go. We would need a documented request from you to close your account with U-1st Community FCU. You can process your request in multiple ways.
In Person:
Visit our office. You do not need to set up an appointment. Anyone of our Member Service Representatives will be able to help you.
By Mail:
Mail us a letter requesting to close your account that is signed by you to U-1st Community FCU 601 N Canal Street Carlsbad, NM 88220. Make sure to include your current contact information in case we have any questions for you.
By Email:
Email us at u1stcfcu@pvtn.net Make sure to include your current contact information in case we have any questions for you.
23. Is there a fee to withdraw money from savings account?
Yes. You are allowed 4 Free cash withdrawals per month, thereafter the fee will be $2.50 each. Your savings account is Not a transactional account. A checking account is considered a transactional account and there are No fees on that account.
24. How do I set up an automatic transfer?
You can set up an automatic transfer between your U-1st Community FCU share or loan on the same account in your Online Banking(Opens in a new window) or in the mobile app.
To set up in online banking:
Log into your account.
Click on the Transfers tab.
Select Schedule a Transfer.
Complete the form to set up the transfer with the first date you want the transfer to happen.
Click repeat and enter the frequency you prefer. Make sure to click save.
You will be able to view your scheduled transfer to update or cancel in the View Scheduled Transfers option on the Transfers tab.
To set up in mobile app:
Log into your account.
Tap the Transfers tab.
Select Schedule a Transfer.
Complete the form to set up the transfer.
Tap Schedule.
Do not have Online Access?
Click here and follow the procedure to get your online banking account set up. Once you log in to Online Banking, you can perform all of your most important banking tasks right from the home page.
25. I noticed an error on my credit report for a U-1st Community FCU loan. What should I do?
U-1st Community FCU takes the accuracy of your credit report very seriously.
If you believe that the information that has been reported for your U-1st Community FCU account is inaccurate, you can submit a dispute through the credit bureau directly. This will initiate a message to us to research and correct. You can also contact us to let us know of any discrepancies.
Email: Send an email to u1stcommfcu@pvtn.net
26. Why can’t I get a loan if the amount the dealership is asking is more than the value of the vehicle?
Most financial institutions (Banks and Credit Unions) do not finance negative equity. Meaning that the Retail value of the vehicle is less than the amount that needs to be financed.
27. If someone transfers money into my account, can they see my account balance?
No. Your balance information is not available to anyone that is not on your account.
Think your account may have been compromised?
If you think your account has been compromised, please contact us at 800-377-6808.
28. What if I have fraud on my credit or debit card?
You can also log into your Card Suite Lite App for your debit card and manage your card to quickly turn your cards on or off.
If you have our VISA Credit Card, where you can also log into SecurLock Equip and manage your cards to quickly turn them on or off.
29. Is there a fee for corporate checks?
The credit union does not provide corporate checks to our members. We instead offer cashier’s checks for No fee or money orders for a nominal fee.
30. Is there a fee for money orders?
Yes, there is a fee for money orders.
A money order is a paper document, similar to a check, used for making payments. Money orders are prepaid, so they are only issued after a buyer pays for the money order with cash or another form of guaranteed funds.
31. My credit report says I still have an open loan with you, but I have already paid it off. Can you fix that?
Yes, we want to ensure your credit report reflects the correct information. You can dispute the credit report through the credit reporting agency or by contacting us directly.
It takes between 30-45 days for your payoff to be reflected on your credit report so if it has not been that long, we would ask you to check your report after that time. If your payoff was more than 45 days ago, we can start the process. It is best to provide a copy of the credit report you are questioning. You can fax it to (575) 887-7220.
If you are unable to provide a copy of the credit report, please let us know what is reporting incorrectly with any dates and amounts as well as which credit reporting agency you found the discrepancy with. Once we have the information, please allow 1-2 weeks to allow us to research and make any corrections. You will receive a letter with information specific to your dispute.
32. What happens if I deposit a check, and it bounces?
Please contact the person or company that wrote the check to alert them of the issue. This issue typically occurs when the checking account from which the funds were being withdrawn does not contain sufficient funds to cover the check.
If a check you deposit is returned as not payable, we will deduct the amount of the check from your account and charge the current Returned Deposited Item fee. You will also receive notification of this in the mail.
To view current rates and service charges, please refer to our Rate and Fee Schedule.
Follow these guidelines to ensure that the checks you write always clear:
Never write checks without available funds
Balance your checkbook regularly
Obtain an Overdraft Line of Credit(Opens in a new window) through U-1st Community FCU
And you can monitor your available balances via online banking(Opens in a new window).
33. What insurance products do you offer?
We do not offer insurance products directly from the credit union. However, we are partnered with TruStage Insurance who offer:
Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
Discounts on Auto and Home Insurance
34. What is a “Return mail” fee?
A returned mail fee may be assessed on your account if we receive mail back as undeliverable to the address we have on file for you. To avoid this fee, please notify us upon your change of address as we can only attempt to communicate with you at the most recent address you provide us.
35. What is the difference between account balance and available balance?
Your account balance is the total amount of money you have in your account, including all funds engaged in holds and pending transactions.
Your available balance is the total amount of money in your account that is accessible for purchases and withdrawals. This number does not include held or pending funds.
It is best to always reference your available balance to avoid Non-Sufficient Funds or Courtesy Pay Fees. These fees are listed on our current Rate & Fee Schedule.
36. Are there fees for sending domestic wires?
At this time, U-1st Community FCU is only able to process domestic in-person wires and only for our members. Fees do apply and can be obtained at the time of service.
37. What is the inactive account fee?
An inactive account is an account that has not had any monetary activity in twelve months, therefore a fee will be charged due to dormancy. We send out annual notices of any inactive/dormant accounts.
38. How does my credit score affect my APR?
A higher credit score generally results in a lower APR. A lower APR is better, as it costs you less to borrow money over time. Lenders assign an APR based on your credit score and risk profile. Good credit scores lead to lower APRs, while bad credit scores result in higher APRs.
39. What is your routing / ABA number?
The routing number for U-1st Community FCU is 312276111.
If you have a check, the routing transit number is the nine-digit number typically found on the bottom left of the check. (The account number is typically the next number).
Financial institutions use routing numbers in order to process payments electronically. Some examples of electronic payments that U-1st Community FCU provides are bill pay, wire transfers, checking transactions (sometimes called electronic checks), and direct deposits. Use the routing number along with your Savings, Checking, or Money Market Account number to set up direct deposit or automatic withdrawal from your account.
Have not signed up for Online Banking?
With Online Banking you can check balances, apply for a loan, transfer funds, pay bills, view your eStatements, set up eMessenger text or email account alerts, and more!
40. What time does my direct deposit post on payday?
We post deposits as we receive them.
You can monitor your account balance and transactions with our Online Banking or Mobile App Banking.
It is simple to take your finances with you wherever you go.
We understand that life can get busy, but you need to access your money when it is convenient for you. Our mobile app offers a full suite of banking tools at the palm of your hands, so wherever life takes you, we will be right there.
41. How long does my money get held in a Fresh Start Checking Account?
The credit unions policy states:
This type of checking account cannot have ANY NSFs, whatsoever and Under NO circumstances will any NSF Fees be refunded. AT ANYTIME the account becomes negative. THE ACCOUNT WILL BE CLOSED.
If the account has been in good standing for a minimum of 12 months the account will be reviewed for the release of the funds.
42. Where can I obtain my tax forms online?
Tax Forms will be available by January 31st for the previous year’s information.
If you received less than $10 in dividends you will not receive a 1099 form. To see what dividends you earned in in the previous year, please look at your December statement on the last page titled YTD tax summary.
If you received more than $10 in dividends in the past year, you can contact us to request your 1099, or you can log in to your Online Banking Profile where it is located under the Statements section of the Account Services tab.
It is simple to take your finances with you wherever you go
We understand that life can get busy, but you need to access your money when it is convenient for you. Our mobile app offers a full suite of banking tools at the palm of your hands, so wherever life takes you, we will be right there.
43. Where do I mail a payment?
Payments can be mailed to:
U-1st Community Federal Credit Union
601 N Canal Street
Carlsbad, NM 88220
Here are some additional ways you can make your U-1st Community FCU loan payment:
Online:
Simply transfer your payment to your loan on the same account as your U-1st Community FCU savings or checking account in your online banking account.
Make a loan payment in your Online Banking account from another financial institution using our REPAY service. You will need your financial institution’s routing number and your account number with them. Use this feature to make one time or recurring payments to your U-1st CFCU loans.
If you have your checking account at another financial institution, they may have a bill pay system that you can set us up as a biller to make your payment.
In Person:
You can drop your check payment off at one of our offices. If you stop by after hours, there are also night drop boxes available for your payments.
Tip: All U-1st Community FCU accounts have a savings account attached. For future payments, set up direct deposit into your savings account and set up an automatic transfer from savings to your loan account in online banking.
44. Why do you pull credit for new account application?
We may review Equifax Decision Power and sometimes credit report data during the process of determining if an individual qualifies to open a new account. Under federal regulations, all financial institutions must do an identity check on new customers. Your permission is required before we initiate a check.
Did you know you can check your own credit score for free once annually?
A good credit score is essential to your financial health. Visit annualcreditreport.com to receive a free copy of your credit score.
45. Why is the debit card point of sale limit only $750.00 per day?
Our debit card provider sets the POS limit at an amount that is feasible for card holders to use to purchase their everyday purchases such as food, gas and other daily household purposes.