Web Pay Add a Payee Simplified
We've simplified the process for adding a new payee to Web Pay. In the past, you had to search for your payee by name and you may have been unsure which payee to pick from the list. Now, all you have to do is enter the information exactly as it appears on your bill. We'll search our list of electronic payees automatically. If possible, we'll validate the address and account number you entered. If the data validates, you'll immediately be able to add the payee as an electronic payment.
If you don't have an account with the payee (like when you are just paying a friend), you don't have to bother searching. We'll just send your payment as a paper check.
If the address or account number from one of your bills can't be validated, and you are sure it is correct, you can proceed and we'll send the payment as a paper check. In the future, the payment may still upgrade to an electronic payment.
We hope this will lead to less confusion when adding payees and allow for more of your payments to be processed electronically.
Labels: new features, tips, Web Branch, Web Pay
Secure Messaging Enhancements
We've made a few updates to our secure messaging system. First, we've added cases. A case is a set of messages that are all related. When you send in a question and we respond, our response is grouped with your original message. If you then reply, your response will be grouped with the first two messages and so on. This will help you keep track of related messages. Just click on the subject of a case in your inbox to see all the messages within the case. If you've already read a message, we'll minimize it to only show you unread messages within that case. To view the read messages, click the plus sign next to the message. If you are inquiring on a new issue, please start a new message using the Compose New Message link on the right of the secure messaging screens so you'll get a new case.
We've also enhanced our messages so we can include links within the message. If you ask one of our member service specialists where something is in Web Branch, they can now just include a link in their response. Since this is secure messaging and not e-mail, you don't have to worry about any fraud or phishing within the system. And, as a reminder, because the Web Branch secure messages are sent back and forth encrypted, and the messages never leave our servers, you can include private information like account numbers without worry (never include them in e-mail).
Finally, another reminder, you can sign up for our secure message alerts where you'll receive an e-mail or text message whenever you have a new, unread secure message. With the alert, you never have to worry about missing an important account update between the times you login to Web Branch. To add the alert, just edit your Alert Preferences under the Profile & Services tab.
Labels: new features, tips, Web Branch
See Web Branch Data and History in a Calendar View
It's been quiet on the Source Code blog for a while. That's not because there's nothing going on. We've been busy developing a number of exciting new features that will come out later this year to make staying organized and managing your finances on Web Branch even easier.
Today we've launched a new feature that gives a bit of a preview into the direction we are going. A while back we introduced a new widget for the side toolbar in Web Branch. The new widget just showed a monthly calendar. Now, you can expand the calendar by clicking Full View (see right) to be taken to a calendar view of your Web Branch transactions.
You can page through month by month. If you go back, you'll see historical information. If you go forward (past today's date) you'll see upcoming transactions like scheduled transfers and Web Payments.
You'll note it says "Showing:" at the top of the calendar. You can choose, by clicking on Calendar Options, between seeing Web Branch items (like Web Pay and transfers) and Account History. You can choose exactly which items or accounts you'd like to see as well.
What you end up with is a convenient calendar view of those items so you can see, in a visual way, what is happening with your accounts. We've also included links to the calendar view on many pages within Web Branch. Just look for the Calendar View link at the top. If you use those links, they will show the item or account history corresponding to the section you were in on Web Branch.If you don't have the calendar widget, click Add/Remove Widgets at the very top of the side toolbar and check the box next to calendar to add the widget.
Labels: money management, new features, tips, Web Branch
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 Added to Supported Browser List
Microsoft recently released a major update to its Web browser Internet Explorer. Version 8 of the browser is available for download. In keeping with our attempt to provide the best experience with our Web site and Web Branch no matter what browser you use, we've tested Internet Explorer 8 and made it an officially supported browser.
If you are an Internet Explorer user, upgrading to the latest version will give you a number of benefits including: faster page rendering, enhanced security features and quicker access to the sites and functions you use most.
We highly recommend upgrading if you still use Internet Explorer 6. This version of the browser is over seven years old. There have been many enhancements to Web site development since then and using a browser this old means you may not be getting the full experience. It also doesn't have the latest security features like phishing site warnings and secure site enhancements.
Labels: browsers, Web Branch, Web site
See Credit Card Transactions Since Last Statement
We've added the ability to view only those credit card transactions since the last statement date to Web Branch. This was a highly requested feature by members and we're happy to say we were able to add the feature.
To see your recent transactions, click the "Recent Items" link above your credit card history. That link applies a filter to your history where you'll only see transactions that haven't appeared on a billing statement. To go back to viewing your entire history, just click on the "All Items" link.
Labels: credit cards, help, tips, Web Branch
One Less Thing to Worry About with Auto Pay
We all have enough to do and logging into Web Branch to make sure your bills are paid on time doesn't have to be something to worry about. That's why we created Auto Pay. I wanted to mention it here for those who haven't discovered it yet.
Auto Pay allows you to set your preference for how to pay your lines of credit and credit cards with UW Credit Union. You can set each account individually to either pay the minimum due or the payoff amount each month. Then on the due date, we'll transfer the necessary amount (since the amount due on these types of accounts can change from month to month) to make the payment.
You can still make payments to your accounts during the month. Auto Pay can just be there as an insurance measure to make sure you're never late with a payment. Also, if you still owe something towards the minimum payment or payoff, we'll still transfer the necessary amount on the due date to cover the rest.
Access Auto Pay by going to the Transfers & Payments tab on Web Branch. Check the box next to the accounts you'd like to set up and choose whether to pay the minimum or in full and we'll take care of the rest.
Labels: tips, Web Branch
Firefox 2 Support Discontinued
One of the most important things to ensuring a safe browsing experience is the Web Browser you use (see our security tips on what you can do). At UW Credit Union, we try to support as many browsers as practical. Our group of supported browsers generally represents over 99% of the traffic coming to our site. However, our supported browsers have recently changed.
As new browsers come out, it is up to the provider to decide how long they'll support their older versions. Recently, Mozilla announced they'd be discontinuing updates and fixes to its 2.x version of its browser Firefox. This significantly affects the security of the browser going forward as new vulnerabilities will not be fixed (nor will anti-phishing support continue).
We recommend anyone using Firefox 2.x to upgrade to version 3.x of their browser. Besides being more secure going forward, it also has a number of performance and usability enhancements.
