Direct Downloads Now Available for Credit Cards
As I mentioned in a previous post, once we'd implemented integrated credit card data on Web Branch, we'd continue to work to make improvements. We've now made credit card data available via direct downloads for Quicken and Microsoft Money.
If you are already and direct downloads user, you should be prompted by your software to add the credit card data (either as a new account or you can associate it with an existing account).
If you are a new user to Quicken or Money, check out our Quicken & Money page for more information. In Quicken or Money, look for UW Credit Union in the FI list to get started.
Labels: credit cards, direct downloads, feedback, help, Money, new features, Quicken
Enhanced Credit Card Integration Coming to Web Branch
We are starting to work on a project that will enhance the integration of our Visa credit card data with Web Branch. Currently, a summary of information is available on Web Branch and the majority of information such as transaction data, alert set-up, etc., is available on another site called "EZCard."
This Fall, we'll eliminate the need for the EZCard site and will have the transactional data and alerts available in Web Branch. We're excited about this change as it will make the user experience consistent with that of Web Branch and give us the flexibility to better address member feedback when it comes to accessing their credit card information.
Look for more details this Fall.
Labels: feedback, new features, Web Branch
Your Feedback After Three Months
We’ve received a lot of feedback since our blog went live in February. So it is about time I shared some of the feedback that we’ve heard and provided some answers. But first, I wanted to mention that many of you have submitted feedback using the “Post a Comment” function, and many of them were posted anonymously. Since we are not posting the comments to the blog, I am unable to respond directly to each comment. If you would like a response, please e-mail sourcecode@uwcu.org.
Since adding Certificate Opening to Web Branch (read previous post), we’ve had an amazing response to the number of members using it. However, some of you have commented that you’d like the ability to use this interface for IRA Certificates and also for other ownership types like trusts and POD. We are actively looking into how we can enhance the process to provide the additional ownership options. More information on these options will be available soon.
A few of you have inquired about the ability to do check deposits from home via Web Branch instead of having to visit a branch or ATM. We’ve been monitoring the different options for this service for a number of years. Technology has recently changed where home scanners are being used to send a check image to do the transaction. We are starting to look into this new technique and will hopefully find a solution so we can add the service to Web Branch in the future. Now if we can just figure out how to dispense cash out of a CD-ROM drive!
We’ve also had requests for an online register in Web Branch so memos, categories and other data can be attached to your transaction history. We think this is the future of online banking and are actively working on this service. I’m really excited about the potential this has to make managing your finances even easier with Web Branch. As we get closer to being able to offer this service, we’ll be providing additional details.
We have received a number of questions that are technical in nature. This is not the focus of the blog, however with the title of the blog being Source Code, it probably looks like we’d cover the technologies used for our Web services. I’d be happy to respond to these kinds of questions individually if you e-mail or include an e-mail address in your comment post.
Finally, we’ve received lots of positive comments and praise. It is great to be reassured that our efforts are recognized and appreciated by our members. All too often, people don’t take the time to write unless they are having a problem. We believe strongly in providing a great online experience for our members, so it is great to have confirmation that our work is making a difference in our members’ lives.
We really appreciate the feedback—keep it coming!
Labels: about, feedback, new features, tips
Two Ways to Move Money—External Transfers and Money Link
We’ve received some questions from members on how our External Transfers and Money Link services work. While both systems have similar characteristics, they do very different things.
External Transfers involve accounts you own. One is here at UW Credit Union; the other is an account you own at another bank or credit union. External Transfers lets you move funds between your accounts here at UW Credit Union and your accounts at another institution. Moving money to your UW Credit Union account is free and there is a small fee for moving money out of your UW Credit Union account. You can transfer up to $2,000 each day and up to $5,000 each month. The funds take 3-4 business days to transfer. However, a one-day transfer option is available for a $10 fee. We are also working on increasing the daily and monthly limits for these transfers—more on that soon.
To get started with External Transfers, just login to Web Branch and go to the “Transfers & Payments” tab and choose “My External Accounts.”
Money Link is a way for anyone to send money to a UW Credit Union member. This system involves your UW Credit Union account and an account owned by someone else either at UW Credit Union or at any other financial institution in the country. This system is similar to PayPal, but it’s completely free.
To get started using Money Link, you need to invite someone to pay you. Perhaps someone owes you for lunch, or you share household bills and need an easy way to collect from your roommates. Maybe you’re in school and you’d like an easy way for your parents to send you money. Money Link is perfect for all of these situations and many more. To invite someone, login to Web Branch and go to the “Transfers & Payments” tab. Click on the Money Link logo and choose “Create a New Money Link.” From there all you need to do is enter the person’s name and e-mail address. They’ll get an e-mail from us and the system will guide them through the process. If the person you invited is a UW Credit Union member, they can connect one of their UW Credit Union accounts and transfer money to you immediately. If that person is not a member, they’ll have to go through a few additional steps to set up their account at another bank or credit union. Those transfers take 3-4 business days to be completed.
We hope you’ll find these services useful and a way to make your financial life even easier.
Labels: External Transfers, feedback, help, Money Link, Web Branch
What is a Security Phrase?
The security phrase feature has been part of Web Branch and Web Alerts since 2003. However, we still hear from members from time to time who are confused with how the security phrase works. I'd like to address what the security phrase is and how it protects you and your accounts from fraud.
The security phrase is not a password. You should not include private information in your security phrase like your Social Security Number or mother's maiden name. In fact, it should not be just one word, it should be a phrase. I like to use some of my favorite song lyrics. Other good phrases might be a list of your favorite movies or books, kids' names, or famous quotes. The best security phrase is something you'll immediately recognize as being something you wrote.
We put your security phrase in every automated e-mail we send. E-mail is not secure (it is transmitted as text over the Internet and could be intercepted and read). That's why you should not include anything private in your phrase.
By including your security phrase in e-mails, you can be sure they are from UW Credit Union. With phishing and other types of e-mail fraud, scammers send thousands of e-mails hoping they reach customers who might fall for the scam. However, in their spam, they'd never be able to customize the message to include your security phrase. This means that as long as you recognize your phrase in an e-mail from UW Credit Union, you can be comfortable knowing it is legitimate.
If you're a Web Alerts user with a good security phrase, no action is required. You can continue to use Web Alerts comfortably and confidently. If you use Web Alerts and don't have a security phrase or are using a password or other private information in your phrase, please create or change your phrase immediately. This is easily done by clicking on the Update Security Phrase link in any Web Alert or by logging into Web Branch and going to the My Profile & Services tab.
Labels: feedback, help, tips, Web Branch
