In the past, we’ve discussed why and how you should switch financial institutions when you move to a different city or a different state, and with good reason. What we haven’t discussed, though, is what to do if you really like the financial institution you had. This can be especially true of credit unions , where many members have a personal relationship.
Is it possible to take advantage of everything a credit union has to offer even if you’re out of state?
The good news is that you can use almost every service a credit union provides when you’re out of state, thanks to the power of the Internet.
If you’re a First Alliance Credit Union member, you can access your accounts at any time through our online banking platform and mobile app. This is a huge benefit if you're working multiple jobs or handling shared expenses with roommates because you can pay your bills, split rent, or check your balance whenever it's convenient for you. These features let you manage your money as effectively as you could in person, such as:
Managing electronic deposits is fine, but you might be wondering what to do if someone pays you by check? The answer is simple: whip out your phone and take a picture. Our mobile app will let you deposit a signed check through our mobile app and give you confirmation that it was cashed.
One of the best things about doing your banking online is that it’s possible to get the same person to person feeling even when you’re hundreds of miles away, thanks to our virtual meetings. If you have a computer with a webcam, you can talk to a First Alliance member advisor in the comfort of your own home, whether you’re in Rochester or Berlin (although you may want to consider time zone differences). Need help setting up a new account or figuring out your finances after moving? With virtual meetings, you can get personalized advice from member advisor from the comfort of your new home, even if that 's on the other side of the country. As an added bonus, you don’t have to worry about forgetting to bring any financial information with you to the meeting.
Virtual meetings help you to do those few tasks you can’t do online, such as add new accounts, close unused accounts and even finalize the loans you applied for online.
Despite the fact that you can manage most of your finances online, there will always be times when you need cold, hard cash. While you can usually get some cash while making a purchase with a debit card from the local gas station, sometimes you just need an ATM.
That’s why First Alliance is part of the MoneyPass ATM network, which will let you use select ATMs throughout the United States and Puerto Rico surcharge-free. If you’re outside of Rochester, all you have to do is visit the MoneyPass ATM network website, type in your location, and you can see where the surcharge-free ATMs are located. This can be especially helpful when you're on the go in a new city, and you need to quickly find an ATM nearby without extra fees. It's worth noting you can even make cash deposits at some of the ATMs in the MoneyPass network.
When you’re a First Alliance Credit Union member, you can take advantage of the services we offer whether you’re still living in Rochester or moving out of the area. We offer a wide variety of online and digital service options to make your life easier anytime, from anywhere.