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Frequently Asked Questions
The U.S. government has amended rules to require financial institutions to collect and verify specific information from businesses establishing new memberships, shares or loans. Requiring the disclosure of key individuals who own and/or control a business helps law enforcement investigate and prosecute crimes. Have any questions? Email us. We're here to help! This requirement does not pertain to Sole Proprietorships or Business Club Associations.
U.S. government amended rules require all financial institutions to obtain and verify information about the beneficial owners of their business members. These rules are meant to help the government fight financial crime. Because businesses can be abused to disguise involvement in money laundering, terrorist financing, tax evasion, corruption, fraud, and other financial crimes, requiring the disclosure of key individuals who ultimately own and/or control a business helps law enforcement.
This is the person with significant responsibility for managing the business—for example, a chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, managing member, general partner, president, vice president or treasurer. Generally, this is the individual who has the authority to act on behalf of the business to make decisions.
For each person named on the certification, we are required to obtain their legal name, physical address, date of birth and Social Security number (SSN). If they are not a U.S. citizen, then a passport number may be provided in lieu of the SSN. Additionally, we will need a copy of a government-issued ID, like a driver’s license or passport, for verification of each named individual.
The beneficial ownership information is required when a new membership or share is opened, or when a new loan is obtained.
Once Westerra has obtained a beneficial ownership certification for your business, we may ask that you confirm the information when you open additional new accounts.
Indirect ownership means the business may be owned by one or more legal entities. Westerra is required to obtain information on the individual persons behind those layered entities who ultimately have the equivalent of 25 percent or more ownership of the business.
Yes. You would simply mark the box indicating there are no individuals with beneficial ownership and complete the section for the individual with significant management responsibility.
The individual authorized to open the membership or share, or apply for a loan, is the person to complete the certification. The person who provides information for the certification will sign it indicating the information is accurate to the best of his or her knowledge.
Westerra is required to maintain this information as part of our records associated with the business. We treat this information with the same high level of confidentiality and security as we do all our member information.
Westerra’s business mobile banking allows you to manage your business account from your mobile device. With Westerra’s business mobile banking, you can:
View account balances and history.
Transfer funds.
Pay bills.
Make mobile check deposits.
Monitor savings goals.
Find free ATMs and shared branches.
Receive email, text messages* or push notifications.
Business mobile banking provides three ways to access your accounts:
Download the mobile banking application to your phone (Apple App Store or Google Play for Android).
Receive SMS text alerts on your mobile phone.
Use the browser on your smartphone to access business online banking.
*Text Messaging and Data Rates May Apply. Check with your mobile phone carrier for details.
The business mobile banking app is available for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.
Download the business mobile banking application to your phone or tablet: Apple App Store and Google Play for Android.
Westerra Credit Union is committed to protecting the safety and privacy of your business information. To ensure the security of your account information, a number of security features have been built into Westerra’s business mobile banking.
You must be enrolled in Westerra business online banking to use the app. If you are not enrolled in business online banking, go here to enroll.
On your mobile device, open the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android) and download the app.
Launch the app and enter your Westerra business online banking username and password.
There are no fees to use or access the business mobile banking app.
You should contact your mobile provider for information about fees associated with sending or receiving text messages or accessing the internet from your mobile phone.
All accounts that are accessible through Westerra’s business online banking are eligible for use with Westerra’s business mobile banking. You may choose which accounts to display by going into Settings > Accounts > and hiding or displaying accounts you want to see displayed.
Westerra Credit Union will never provide access to your full account numbers or other personal information via mobile banking. If your mobile phone is lost or stolen, no one can access your account without knowing your unique username and password.
If your mobile phone is either lost or stolen:
Report it immediately to your mobile carrier.
Then, immediately log in to Westerra business online banking from your computer and change your username and password.
Alternately, you can contact us at 303-321-4209 and request that the mobile number be removed from mobile banking access.
To log in to business online banking and bill pay:
Enter your username and password on any page of the website in the top right corner of the screen.
Click the login tab, then select the "Business" tab.
If you have forgotten your password, click on the "Forgot Your Password?" link and the system will guide you through the process of gaining a new password.
If this is your first time using business online banking and bill pay, click the "First time users enroll here" link.
Read and accept the business online banking disclosures and enter your business account number, your Tax Identification Number (TIN), email and zip code.
Next, create a username and choose an email address to receive your temporary password at.
Enter your temporary password and then create a new password.
Once you are logged in, you will be prompted to choose and answer three security questions and confirm or edit your contact information.
To use bill pay, log in to your business online banking account and click the bill pay widget.
Please make sure you are using one of the supported browsers to view business online banking:
Google Chrome: Latest two versions
Firefox: Latest two versions
Microsoft Edge: Latest two versions
Safari: Last two major versions
iOS: Last two major versions
Android: Last two major versions
When you sign up for eStatements, we stop mailing your paper statement.
To view your eStatements, click the eDocuments widget.
To enroll, log in to online business banking and select the "More" widget, then select the "eDocuments" widget, then click "Statements" tab. In most cases, eStatement enrollment is immediate. However, you may receive a paper statement if you enroll after a monthly statement has already been generated.
You can view your eStatements within all account types.
Click on the "Message Center" widget or on your name in the top right corner — click on "Messages"
Then click compose
Choose:
A subject
The account you’re messaging about, or you can also choose "No Specific Account"
Type your message
Attach a file if necessary
Click "Send Message"
Bills will be paid on the date on which you scheduled the payment to be made.
Your account will be debited on the day on which you scheduled the payment to be made.
eBills allow you to receive your bills electronically within business online banking. Your payees must offer this option in order to take advantage of this feature.
When adding a payee who is eligible for eBills you can select "Set up eBills" and verify your account with specific information. For example, you may be asked to provide your username and password for the provider, your account number, your billing ZIP code and/or the last four digits of your Social Security (SSN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN).
You will then be able to see your bill amount and due date from within the Bill Pay Dashboard. This makes paying your bills quick and easy.
Companies that provide bills through this service will allow you to view any eBills you are authorized to see, based on the information you provided during the sign-up process.
In some cases, these companies may elect to allow you to view bills where another individual's name, such as a spouse, is on the account, as long as you successfully provide the verification information required by the biller or payee.
Please make sure you are aware of the biller or payees’ policies.
If you have any questions while you are using Westerra’s bill pay service, call us at 303-321-4209 or 1-800-858-7212 or send us a secure message through business online banking.
Log into business online banking and select the bill pay widget. You can then add your payee information using the add payee button.
You can make a payment to anyone in the United States.
Once a payee is set up, use either the Bill Pay Dashboard or MultiPay tab to choose the payee, amount, and date the payment is for.
For scheduling multiple payments at once, use the MultiPay tab.
No, bill payment on business online banking only accepts payments from business checking accounts.
If your payment goes out as a paper check, it is sent to the address provided when setting up the payee.
If it goes out as an electronic payment, it is sent directly to the payee's account.
Only you can authorize payments. You tell us who, when, and how much to pay.
Payments are issued electronically or via paper checks, depending on the payee’s capability. Both electronic payments and paper checks always include remittance information, ensuring that your payee can accurately record that a payment has been received for your account.
Yes, bill payment through business online banking does not replace your checkbook. You can continue to write paper checks as you normally would if you so choose when using your Westerra Credit Union business account.
Paper checks are issued a few business days before the due date to ensure the payment is made on the due date. Please note processing times may vary.
Electronic payments are issued a few business days before the due date to ensure the payment is made on the due date. Processing times vary, but the payment will arrive on the due date.
Within the bill pay page, you can access the history tab. This shows you all the bill payments you have successfully made.
Funds are taken from the account on the due date when you use business online banking bill pay.
To cancel a payment, go to the Scheduled tab, and click delete next to the payment.
One time
You may select the start and end date of these occurrences:
Once every week
Once every two weeks
Once a month
Once per year
Every four weeks
Every other month
Quarterly
Every six months
Due to legal requirements, we limit the ability to make certain types of payments. Payments to payees outside of the United States are prohibited and may not be issued under any circumstances.
The following payments are discouraged, but may be scheduled at your own risk:
Tax payments to the Internal Revenue Service or any state or other government agency
Court-ordered payments, such as alimony or child support
Payments to insurance companies
Our bill payment provider will not notify you if you attempt to make any of these payments and will not be liable if the payment was not processed for such payments.
We issue standard approved payments against your checking account. Just as with a paper check, you have to maintain sufficient funds in the account to cover all payment obligations.
However, we are unable to notify you if you have insufficient funds. Please note that your business online banking bill pay account will be blocked until the payment is satisfied or funded.
eBills allow you to receive your bills electronically within business online banking. Your payees must offer this option in order to take advantage of this feature.
When adding a payee who is eligible for eBills you can select "Set up eBills" and verify your account with specific information. For example, you may be asked to provide your username and password for the provider, your account number, your billing ZIP code and/or the last four digits of your Social Security (SSN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN).
You will then be able to see your bill amount and due date from within the Bill Pay Dashboard. This makes paying your bills quick and easy.
Yes, you can pay your bills all at once using the MultiPay tab.
Some payees may continue to send a paper bill to your home even after you begin receiving the bill online.
To avoid making duplicate payments, it is best to pay only those bills that arrive online. Some payees may offer the option of turning off the paper bill, either by indicating such a preference on their website or you can contact their customer service department.
A conservatorship is when a court appoints a person, called the Conservator, to manage an incapacitated person's or minor's, called the Conservatee, financial and personal affairs.
Westerra requires either the Conservatee or the Conservator to be a member to open a conservatorship account.
Conservator(s) must have valid government issued identification
Conservator(s) must be at least 21 years old
Conservatorship documents must be registered in Colorado
Westerra does not open any accounts if there are restrictions regarding account access, such as a court order for transactions or a multiple signature requirement
Guardianship documents are not acceptable for a conservatorship, unless the language in the legal document states it pertains to financial affairs
Please complete the below forms to establish a Conservator account. Please note that additional documents may be required. You may upload supporting documents along with your application via DocuSign, drop off documents at your local Westerra Credit Union branch or mail documents to Westerra Credit Union, Attention: Operations, 3700 E Alameda Ave., Denver, CO 80209. For questions, please contact Westerra at 303-321-4209 or by email: specialtyaccounts@westerracu.com. Please allow two business days for a representative to contact you. All Specialty account requests including but not limited to Trust, Estate, Power of Attorney, Conservatorship, and Representative Payee/Responsible Individual requests are subject to review and approval.
Westerra Conservatorship Application
After application completion you will be prompted to upload required documentation
Conservator(s) ID
Conservatee ID
Letters of Conservatorship
“Contactless” is a feature that allows a member to tap their card on any terminal with the “pay wave” icon (see below). This technology is quick, secure way for a transaction to process without the need to swipe or insert your Westerra debit or credit card (though, of course, you can still do both, if you prefer)
The identification technology called “near-field communication (NFC)” processes thetransaction, connecting with the computer chip in the Westerra card that has a specificfrequency antenna to communicate with the NFC-enabled terminal. The computer chip in the card then sends a one-time signal with a unique code for that specific transaction. Since these codes change each time the card is used, the chip and Tap2Pay transactions cannot be counterfeited. This is another added level of security Westerra is delighted to offer our members.
Courtesy Pay is a service that adds a measure of protection to your checking account. Courtesy Pay may cover your transactions when you do not have sufficient funds in your checking account for a fee as noted on our Fee Schedule. That means, instead of returning a check to the merchant because of insufficient funds, the credit union may pay your item which will save you additional charges from the merchant. Please view our additional FAQs for more information.
We hope you are enjoying your updated vertical designed credit and debit card, now with contactless technology! If you haven’t activated your new card yet, please do so as soon as possible. A reminder: Though your card number did not change, your expiration date did! This means you may have to update that date on online accounts where your card information is saved. Examples include shopping apps – like Amazon! –, automatic and bill pays, and in your Apple® Pay, Google Pay™ or Samsung Pay™ digital wallets.
To activate a card, call 1-866-762-0558. Members will need to activate their new card within 45 days of receiving their card or the system will automatically block the new card. A member will receive email reminders throughout the 45 days before it is blocked. Once the contactless card is activated, the old card will be deactivated automatically by the system.
To report a lost or stolen Visa® credit, debit card, or for card inquiries:
Call 303-321-4209 or 1-800-858-7212 during business hours.
Visit one of our branch locations to have your credit or debit card issued instantly.
Contact us via secure messaging through Digital Banking.
Call 1-888-241-2510, 24 hours a day.
Please note: Cards sent by mail will arrive in approximately 4 to 7 business days. You will also receive a new PIN, which can be changed by calling 1-800-858-7212.
Because you have better things to do than wait for mail, you can visit any of our branch locations to get an instantly issued card.
To get a new Personal Identification Number (PIN):
Call 303-321-4209 or 1-800-858-7212. We can order a new PIN to be delivered by mail.
If you would like to change your PIN, you can also stop by any of our branch locations during regular business hours, Monday through Saturday.
Set up your Apple®, device to pay with your Westerra card on the go. Follow the steps on the Apple website here to set it up.For additional information: See here
Follow the steps via this link: GET TO KNOW GOOGLE PAY.For additional information: See here
Follow the steps via this link: HOW TO SET UP SAMSUNG PAY.For additional information: See here
Link you accounts to make automatic cash advances from your credit card, up to your credit limit on the credit card, for a 2% cash advance fee, to cover transactions when funds are not available in your checking/spending account. Complete this form to set credit card cash advances as overdraft protection.
Send us a message through Digital Banking or notify us at 303-321-4209 or 1-800-858-7212 Monday - Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., or Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. with your travel dates and destination to head off any potential fraud alert service interruption on your credit or debit cards.
All new Westerra debit and credit cards will feature our new vertical design. Members will not be able to choose their designs or colors.
If this is your first time using Digital Banking:
Click "Login" on the top right corner of WesterraCU.com, then "Personal Banking."
Then, click on the "Enroll in Digital Banking" link.
Enter your account (member) number, the primary account holder's Social Security Number and date of birth and click "Continue."
Create your username and password.
Read and "Accept" the Digital Banking disclosures.
Then, click "Create."
Once you are logged in, you will be prompted to receive a one-time security code, verify your email address, and then you can access your accounts.
To log in to Digital Banking, click "Login" on the top right corner of this website, then "Personal Banking," and enter your username and password on the next screen.
If you have forgotten your username or password, click on the "Forgot Username?" or "Forgot Password?" link and it will guide you through the process of entering a new username or password.
While you can reach our Digital Banking from any browser, Westerra recommends accessing our platform via Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari.
As always, we encourage members to always keep their browsers updated, so that you're using the most recent version of these browsers for security purposes.
Digital Banking may appear differently and some functions may not be available depending on your browser and how you access the platform.
To enable text* notifications:
Log in to your Digital Banking account on your browser.
Go to "Self-Service."
Then, "Manage Notifications."
Click on the account that you want to enable the notifications for.
Click the toggle button on the right to enable the type of notification you want.
Then, check the box for "SMS" to receive text message notifications.
If you have questions about the capabilities of your mobile phone, please contact your mobile carrier for more information.
*Standard messaging charges may apply:Every mobile carrier has a different rate plan for text messaging and data services access. You may be charged per use, or pay a flat rate for unlimited usage each month. You may also have different fees for text messaging and data services access.
Contact your mobile carrier directly if you aren’t sure what fees you will be charged to use mobile banking, as Westerra Credit Union has no access to information regarding your personal mobile service billing.
You will find 36 months of statement history in the eStatements section.
If you're logged in on a web browser:
Go to "Self-Service."
Then, click on "Account Statements."
Select the account you want to view the eStatement
Choose either preview or download the eStatement you want to view per month.
Please know that you have been automatically enrolled in eStatements, which means you will no longer receive paper statements in the mail. Instead, you will receive an email notification when your electronic statement is ready each month.
If you wish to opt-out from receiving eStatements and wish to receive paper statements via mail instead, please contact us at 303-321-4209 or 1-800-858-7212, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., or Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., or email us at: Email@WesterraCU.com.
If you're logged in on a web browser, you can send a secure message by selecting the three dots next to the "Self-Service" button at the top of the page, and then select "Messages" from the dropdown menu.
To view the taxes and interest or the year end tax information for your Westerra Credit Union mortgage loan on your desktop web browser:
Log in to Digital Banking.
Select “My Accounts.”
In "My Accounts," scroll down to where your mortgage loan is listed.
Select your mortgage loan with Westerra Credit Union.
Click on the “Details” tab for your mortgage loan.
Then, select “More Details” to open the Mortgage Portal that will open in a new browser tab.
In the Mortgage Portal, select “Loan Information” from the top menu on the left. Here, you can further select from two viewing options for your tax documents:
Click on "Taxes and Interest" if you wish to view last year's taxes and interest, or your current taxes and interest information.
Or select "Year End Information" to view and download your year end tax information. Your Westerra Credit Union year end tax information will be mailed to you by January 31 the following year, and will be available in the mortgage portal by the end of January. This online year end tax and interest information can be used for completing your tax returns.
Tax Tip: Locate your 13-digit account number inside digital banking, on the My Accounts page (below the account name).
Data related to Westerra Digital Banking is retained indefinitely for security, fraud prevention, and regulatory compliance. Please call us at 303-321-4209 for assistance with disabling your Digital Banking account.
Ensuring your contact information in your Westerra profile is up to date ensures our staff can verify your identity and information, which helps prevent fraud. You can update your name, address, phone number and email either at the branch by presenting your ID to one of our staff or by logging-in to your personal or business Digital Banking account. Simply visit Settings > Contact section. To update your business mailing address, please contact our Business Banking staff at businessbankinggroup@westerracu.com.
Paying your bills online is quicker, easier and safer than writing checks. Receive your bills, or eBills, electronically and add new payees at any time. You can pay your bills when you’re away from home, at work or even on vacation.
You can send a one-time payment or set up a schedule for recurring payments, and you can easily change payments requiring different amounts each time.
Log in to Digital Banking to pay your bills.
The earliest an electronic bill payment can be delivered is the next business day.
For mailed check payments, standard delivery time is seven (7) business days from the current day. Expedited delivery time is two (2) business days from the current day.
For electronic payments, the money leaves your account on the "Send" date.
In some cases, a mailed paper check must be issued to the biller. For these payments, the money leaves your account when the check is cashed or deposited.
In your list of payees, electronic payees will have a lightning bolt next to their names; check payees will have an envelope next to their names.
2:00 p.m. Mountain Time.
You can schedule recurring payments with no end date. You can even schedule annual payments. If you should happen to schedule a payment to be received on a weekend or a holiday, it will automatically adjust to the following business day.
An eBill, or electronic bill, is like the paper statement you receive each month now in an electronic format for viewing online. You can see all of the same detail in an eBill that you can in a paper statement.
We’ve updated our Digital Banking system
As a result, the option to set up an external transfer to make your mortgage payment has been retired. This update offers other convenient and easy ways to pay.
Please select one of the options below to make your upcoming mortgage payment:
Make a one-time or automatic payment to your mortgage loan through Digital Banking.
Log into Digital Banking
Click on your mortgage account
Select "Details"
Then, "More Details"
Next, select "Online Payment" in the top navigation
Finally, select either "Make Payment" or "Automatic Payments"
Set up automatic payment transfers by registering at YourMortgageOnline.com/register.
Make a payment directly from your external financial institution through their Bill Pay feature. Have your mortgage account number available and use the following information as needed: Westerra Credit Union, 1 Corporate Drive, Suite 360 Lake Zurich, IL 60047-8945
Pay by phone by calling 303-321-4209 and select option 0 to speak with member services. Paying by phone has a fee: $10 for check payments, $20 for card payments.
Visit any of our convenient branch locations or over 30,000 CO-OP Shared Branch locations nationwide.
Need assistance? Contact us at 303-321-4209 or email us at Email@WesterraCU.com.
Expedited payments allow you to have bill payments delivered two (2) business days from the current day.
Expedited payments are only available for paper check payments and will be sent via two-day delivery for a fee, which will display before you go to submit the payment.
Each payment and fee is listed on your payment activity.
No, processing of your payment begins immediately after you submit your payment.
External Transfers are an option in Digital Banking that enables you to:
Transfer money between (to or from) your Westerra account and your account at another financial institution.
Set up automated recurring transfers to save time.
The money is debited/withdrawn from your Westerra account on the "Send" date.
The money is credited to/received at your external account within three (3) business days of the "Send" date.
To send from a checking account, the cutoff time is 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time, the same cutoff time as for Bill Pay and Pay People (P2P).
Electronic funds are never delivered on a weekend or holiday. USPS may deliver paper checks on a weekend if the business in question receives weekend mail. Otherwise, such checks will be delivered the following business day.
Not yet — but watch for more information coming soon!
You can transfer money to and from any Westerra spending, checking, savings or money market account. You can also transfer (make a payment) to Westerra auto loans, home equity loan, line of credit or personal loan.
Yes – it is critical that the primary member’s first and last name, date of birth, and Social Security Number match on both accounts. If they do not match, use Pay People (P2P) transfers instead.
You may add up to a total of two phone numbers, but the code will be sent only to the phone number you choose.
After logging in to Digital Banking, click on Self-Service, then My Profile, and then the phone number section.
Please call us at 303-321-4209 for further assistance.
You may be locked out of Digital Banking if you tried to enter your password unsuccessfully multiple times. Please call us at 303-321-4209 or 1-800-858-7212 (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.) for assistance with unlocking your account.
For security purposes, the system will not let you use a password you have used in the past. Please create a new password.
An Estate is created for the purpose of distributing the assets of a decedent/deceased person. A Personal Representative/Executor is appointed by the Probate Court, delegating the authority to act on behalf of the estate. The court stamped letters of Testamentary or Administration indicate the Personal Representative/ Executor and their authority.
Westerra requires either the decedent or the Personal Representative/Executor to be a member to open an Estate account
Personal Representative(s)/Executor(s) must have valid government issued identification
Personal Representative(s)/Executor must be at least 21 years old
Please complete the below forms to establish an Estate account. Please note that the Affidavit of Foreign Personal Representative (if court documents were not issued in Colorado) requires notarization. You can fill out the form in its entirety, but do not sign this form until you are in the presence of a notary public. If you are not able to visit a notary in your area, please email specialtyaccounts@westerracu.com for other options.
Please note that additional documents may be required. You may upload supporting documents along with your application via DocuSign, drop off documents at your local Westerra Credit Union branch or mail documents to Westerra Credit Union, Attention: Operations, 3700 E Alameda Ave Denver, CO 80209. For questions, please contact Westerra at 303-321-4209 or by email: specialtyaccounts@westerracu.com. Please allow two business days for a representative to contact you. All Specialty account requests including but not limited to Trust, Estate, Power of Attorney, Conservatorship, and Representative Payee/Responsible Individual requests are subject to review and approval.
After application completion you will be prompted to upload required documentation
Personal Representative/Executor(s) ID
SS-4 Form
Death Certificate of decedent/ deceased person
Court Stamped Letters of Testamentary or Administration
Affidavit of Foreign Personal Representative (if applicable)
With the Westerra Rewards program, you can earn reward points for cash back, gift cards, travel, experiences, fuel, merchandise and more with your Visa Signature® credit or debit card. Plus, you can earn bonus points! Westerra Rewards is our way of thanking you for choosing Westerra.
Visa Signature® credit card purchases – Earn 1.25 points for every $1.00 you spend.
Debit card purchases – Earn 1 point for every $3.00 you spend when you sign for your purchase.
Business rewards credit card purchases – Earn 2 points for every $1.00 you spend.
Bonus points – Earn bonus points when you use the ShoppingFLING feature on Westerra Rewards.
If you already have a Westerra debit card or Visa Signature® credit card, you are already part of the rewards program. Reward points will automatically be combined in your rewards account for your Westerra cards based on your primary account information. Personal and business reward points will not be combined.
Access and redeem your rewards points through Westerra Digital Banking:
For personal accounts: Log in to Digital Banking on your browser, look for "Card Rewards" in the "Quick Actions" menu on the right.
For business accounts, login to business online banking and select on "Rewards." This will take you directly into Westerra Rewards without needing to register or sign in a second time.
If you prefer, you can access your rewards account online at Westerra Rewards and register using your name exactly as it appears on your Westerra account and the last six digits of either your Westerra Signature or business rewards credit or debit card.
If you do not have a Westerra Visa Signature personal credit or debit card, reward yourself - you've earned it. Apply Now!
Points can be redeemed at any time through Westerra Rewards.
Cash Back – You have the option to redeem rewards points for cash to be applied directly to your account.
Gift Cards – Redeem for gift cards to your favorite places to shop and dine. There are even electronic gift cards you can use instantly online or at the store.
Travel – Westerra Rewards offers the largest selection of travel rewards in the market today. Choose from flights, cars, hotels, cruises, vacations and experiences.
Experiences – Redeem your points for experiences, theme parks and events, concerts, sports and event tickets.
Merchandise – Redeem points for home appliances, sports items, computers, electronics, gourmet foods and more.
Charitable Donations – You also have the option to donate your points.
Intuit is a company that produces tools to assist individuals and businesses in managing their finances. Examples of common tools include: Quicken, QuickBooks, TurboTax, and Credit Karma.
As of May 21, 2024, members will be able to add their Westerra transactions to Intuit products. The Intuit connection types that will be available are Web Connect and Express Web Connect.
Business banking members are already able to integrate Digital Banking with Quicken and QuickBooks.
Users can add their transactions manually by signing in to their Westerra Digital Banking account and downloading (exporting) transactions into a .QFX (Quicken) or .QBO (QuickBooks) file, then importing that file into their Quicken or QuickBooks software.
Users can automatically import Westerra transactions to Quicken or QuickBooks after linking their Digital Banking account by entering their log-in credentials. A prompt should display within Quicken or QuickBooks with instructions on how to link your Digital Banking account.
Checking accounts, savings accounts, and credit cards will be supported by this integration.
Existing users are encouraged to review the following Conversion Guides for more information: Quicken Conversion General Instructions, QuickBooks Online Conversion Instructions and QuickBooks Desktop Conversion Instructions
For general questions about Quicken or QuickBooks or technical support, contact Intuit Product Support.
Westerra knows that everyone has their own preference when it comes to banking, and we want to be here wherever and whenever our members need us – including digital opportunities, in-person connections, and self-service options. This new location allows Westerra to continue to focus on honoring all member experiences, as well as create an environment to cultivate exceptional member experience.
Located in a rejuvenated shopping area with a lot of wonderful retail nearby, including a soon-to-open grocery store, Sprouts.
A modern design and convenient entry.
Members will have the choice of how they would like to be served, either through self-service options or by our Littleton branch team.
Features peninsulas for employees to conduct transactions rather than traditional teller queues. This creates an open and functional floor plan uniquely balanced with private interaction space for our members to be served.
Three private office spaces to meet with members.
A conference room to serve larger member groups, conduct meetings or host community activities.
Due to the location in the shopping center, this branch will not have a drive-thru, but it does feature a walk-up ATM.
The new Littleton branch is located at 8555 W. Belleview Ave., Littleton, CO 80123 – just 2 miles from our old branch and in a revitalized shopping center.
Our new Littleton Branch is currently open! Stop by and see our friendly Littleton staff at 8555 W. Belleview Ave., Littleton, CO 80123.
No. The hours will be consistent with the current Littleton branch: M-F 9-5 and Sat 9-Noon.
Members will see no changes to their account. The only change is that we will be serving our Littleton area members in a new location.
Yes! All team members from the previous Littleton location will relocate to this new location. Our Littleton team members have built solid relationships with our members in this community, and we value the loyalty our members have to them. Our team members are excited about being in a new space and continuing to serve our Littleton community.
There are currently no plans for other locations to move. However, as we continue to expand and build on our branch strategy across Denver metro, the design of this branch will serve as a blueprint for all future branch remodels and new builds.
Yes! Members, and the entire neighborhood are invited to stop by the new branch on Sat. Oct 5 from 10am-1pm. Dinger, the Colorado Rockies mascot, will be there. Guests will also receive free Westerra swag; can enter a giveaway for two beach cruiser bikes; and enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, and a sweet treat.*
*Limit one treat ticket and swag item per member, per visit while supplies last. No purchase necessary. Learn more
Starting mid-August 2024, short, member surveys will be sent on behalf of Westerra Credit Union via Medallia – a company that provides tools to gather feedback, like surveys, regarding consumers’ experience. Survey questions will be a mixture of multiple choice and open-ended questions, allowing members to share their honest feedback about their experiences with Westerra.
Surveys are designed to measure how our members perceive their overall member experience with Westerra, whether it’s through our digital tools, self-service options or in-person engagement.
Member Surveys are a key tool to identify and track Westerra’s strengths and opportunities for improvement. From there, we can better develop action plans to improve member experiences.
All Westerra members are eligible to receive the surveys! Survey recipients will be selected at random, which ensures representation across all areas of the credit union. Members are eligible to receive a survey once every 90-days and a maximum of 4 surveys per year.
Because we want to be able to follow-up with members as needed based on their responses, we will be able to tell who left feedback on the survey. However, Westerra is very protective of your private information! Members will not be asked to provide account information in any of our surveys.
Your feedback is important to us and we value your input! The survey only takes a few minutes to complete. If you still wish to opt-out of receiving a survey, please click the Unsubscribe link in the survey email invitation.
You will be sent a reminder email seven days from the initial email invitation.
Unfortunately no, as this will cause issues with the accuracy of the data we collect. However, if you would like to update your email address for all information and notifications you receive from Westerra, which would include future Member Surveys, you can come into a branch and present your ID to one of our staff or by logging-in to your personal or business Digital Banking account. Simply visit Settings > Contact section.
Westerra mobile banking allows you to manage your account from your mobile device. You can:
View account balances and statements.
Transfer funds between accounts.
Pay bills you have set up.
Send secure messages.
Manage and receive mobile alerts via text messages* and push notifications.
Deposit checks from your smartphone using mobile check deposit.
Pay people directly from your smartphone using Pay People.
Two ways to access your accounts:
Download the mobile banking application to your phone (Apple App Store or Google Play for Android).
Use the browser on your smartphone to access Digital Banking.
*Standard messaging charges may apply:Every mobile carrier has a different rate plan for text messaging and data services access. You may be charged per use or pay a flat rate for unlimited usage each month. You may also have different fees for text messaging and data services access.
Contact your mobile carrier directly if you aren’t sure what fees you will be charged to use mobile banking, as Westerra Credit Union has no access to information regarding your personal mobile service billing.
The mobile banking app is available for iOS and Android smartphones.
Download the mobile banking application to your phone: Apple App Store and Google Play for Android.
Westerra Credit Union is committed to protecting the safety and privacy of your information. To ensure the security of your account information, a number of security features have been built into the Westerra mobile banking app.
On your mobile device, open the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android) and download the app.
Launch the app and enter your Westerra Digital Banking username and password.
To enable text* notifications on the mobile app:
Log in to your account.
Click on the three dots that also say "More" under it.
Then, "Manage Notifications."
Click on the account that you want to enable the notifications for.
Select the type of notification you want.
Then, click the toggle button to allow notifications.
Finally, choose which "Channel" – either "Push," "SMS" or "Email" – you want by clicking the toggle button.
If you have questions about the capabilities of your mobile phone, please contact your mobile carrier for more information.
*Standard messaging charges may apply:Every mobile carrier has a different rate plan for text messaging and data services access. You may be charged per use, or pay a flat rate for unlimited usage each month. You may also have different fees for text messaging and data services access.
Contact your mobile carrier directly if you aren’t sure what fees you will be charged to use mobile banking, as Westerra Credit Union has no access to information regarding your personal mobile service billing.
Westerra Credit Union will never provide access to your personal information via mobile banking. If your mobile phone is lost or stolen, no one can access your account without knowing your unique username and password.
If your mobile phone is either lost or stolen:
Report it immediately to your mobile carrier.
Then, immediately log in to Westerra Digital Banking from your computer and change your password.
A Money Market Select Account is a free, high-yield savings account that offers both flexibility and growth. You can earn competitive interest on your savings while maintaining easy access to your funds when needed — without any penalties. It’s the perfect balance of earning potential and liquidity for your savings goals.
To qualify for the interest rate on a Money Market Select Account, you’ll need a Prime Share account. Additionally, you must have a Westerra consumer VISA® debit or credit card linked to the same account. To earn the corresponding interest rate, you need to complete at least 10 qualifying transactions each month within a qualifying statement cycle. The statement period ends at 6 p.m. of the cycle month. These products are not required to open a Money Market Select Account but are necessary to earn the higher interest rate.
If you’re a new member at Westerra Credit Union, you can open a Money Market online or visit a branch location. If you’re already a member and would like to add another account, please give us a call at 303-321-4209 or visit us at any of our branches.
No, the Money Market Select is not an investment account. You can reap the benefits of earning high interest without the risks typically associated with investments. It’s a secure way to grow your savings.
No, there is no monthly fee for a Money Market or Money Market Select Account. Enjoy all the benefits of high-yield savings with no ongoing charges.
Yes, you can withdraw funds from your Money Market Select Account at any time without penalty. There are no restrictions on the number of withdrawals or transfers you can make, giving you full flexibility and easy access to your savings when you need it.
Yes, you can easily link your Money Market Select Account to your checking account for convenient transfers. With digital banking, you can quickly transfer funds between accounts anytime, giving you seamless access to your savings whenever you need it.
Yes! Click here to calculate your individual coverage!
Non-sufficient funds (NSF), or insufficient funds, is the status of a checking account that does not have enough money to cover all transactions. NSF also describes the fee charged when a check is presented but cannot be covered by the balance in the account. Please view our additional FAQs for more information.
Overdraft Protection is an optional level of protection you can elect to add to any checking account to help manage your finances and avoid over-drafting your account. Overdraft Protection can save you from incurring fees when you don’t have sufficient funds in your checking account. It is also useful for covering unexpected costs in an emergency. Please view our additional FAQs for more information.
Similar to Zelle, Pay People is a free person-to-person (P2P) payment service in Digital Banking and our mobile app that makes sending and receiving money as easy as emailing and texting.
In notifications, you may also see it referred to as PayItNow.
When funds are going from debit card to debit card, the transfer occurs right when the recipient accepts the transfer — even on weekends and holidays!
If the transfer is from a spending or checking account, once the recipient has accepted the transfer, funds are withdrawn from your account that evening, and delivered to the recipient within three (3) business days. These transfers do not take place on weekends or holidays.
To send from a checking account, the cutoff time is 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time, the same cutoff time as for Bill Pay and Pay People (P2P).
A PIN Mailer is no longer required to activate your Westerra debit or credit card! NOTE: the new phone number to activate a card is 1-866-762-0558 (this has been updated on the sticker of the card). Members will be required to enter in the card information, the last 4-digits of the primary account holder’s social security number and their date of birth.
Business members will be required to enter in the last 4-digits of their SSN or their EIN number; this is based on what is reflected on their account. Once the card is activated, they will be prompted to select their PIN. If a member already has an active card and calls 1-866-762-0558, the message will say that the card is already activate and ask if you would like to update your PIN.
A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives an individual, called the agent or attorney in fact, the authority to act on behalf of someone else (principal). The principal appoints an agent to act on his or her behalf for example, to assist with financial and banking matters.
An existing Westerra member may grant Power of Attorney to an individual or individuals to act on his or her behalf using a Power of Attorney document.
The agent must have valid government-issued identification
Please complete the below forms to add a Power of Attorney to an account. Please note that the Westerra POA Agent Certification requires notarization. You can fill out the form in its entirety but do not sign this form until you are in the presence of a notary public. If you are not able to visit a notary in your area, please email specialtyaccounts@westerracu.com for other options.
Please note that additional documents may be required. You may upload supporting documents along with your application via DocuSign, drop off documents at your local Westerra Credit Union branch, or mail documents to Westerra Credit Union, Attention: Operations, 3700 E Alameda Ave., Denver, CO 80209. For questions, please contact Westerra at 303-321-4209 or by email: specialtyaccounts@westerracu.com. Please allow two business days for a representative to contact you. All Specialty account requests, including but not limited to Trust, Estate, Power of Attorney, Conservatorship, and Representative Payee/Responsible Individual requests are subject to review and approval.
POA Agent Certification **Requires Notary**
After application completion you will be prompted to upload required documentation
Power of Attorney Documents**must be notarized
POA Agent ID
POA Agent Certification
A Representative Payee is an individual appointed by the Social Security Administration to manage a person's, called the beneficiary, SSI government benefits.
A Responsible Individual is an individual appointed by the Veterans Affairs agency to manage a person's, called the beneficiary, VA government benefits.
Westerra requires either the Representative Payee/ Responsible Individual or the Beneficiary of the government funds to be a member to open a Representative Payee account.
Representative Payee/ Responsible Individual must have valid government issued identification
Westerra does not open any accounts if there are restrictions regarding account access, such as a court order for transactions or a multiple signature requirement
Please complete the below forms to establish a Representative Payee account. Please note that additional documents may be required. You may upload supporting documents along with your application via DocuSign, drop off documents at your local Westerra Credit Union branch or mail documents to Westerra Credit Union, Attention: Operations, 3700 E Alameda Ave., Denver, CO 80209. For questions, please contact Westerra at 303-321-4209 or by email: specialtyaccounts@westerracu.com. Please allow two business days for a representative to contact you. All Specialty account requests including but not limited to Trust, Estate, Power of Attorney, Conservatorship, and Representative Payee/Responsible Individual requests are subject to review and approval.
Westerra Representative Payee Application
After application completion you will be prompted to upload required documentation
Representative Payee/Responsible Individual ID
Beneficiary ID
Social Security Administration Representative Payee Letter or Veteran’s Affairs Responsible Individual Letter
What is Westerra Credit Union's Routing Number?
Routing Number: 302075319
Unlike traditional checking accounts where higher balances earn higher interest rates, reverse-tier checking accounts operate inversely. They offer higher interest rates for lower balances and decrease as the account balance increases. See Smart Money Checking rates here.
Smart Money Checking has multiple tiers based on account balances in increments of $2,000. Each tier earns a different interest rate, with the highest rates applied to lower balances and decreasing as the balance increases. Members can earn interest at each tier depending on their Average Daily Balance calculated at the end of the month. Example: If their average daily balance was $4,500 in this account, they'll earn 6.00% APY on the first $2000, 3.00% APY of the second $2,000, and 1.00% APY on the remaining $500. See how much you may earn over the course of a year with our Smart Money Checking Reverse Tier Calculator.
You will receive a 6.00% APY on your balance that is below $2,000 if all requirements for the higher rate are met. See how much you may earn over the course of a year with our Smart Money Checking Reverse Tier Calculator.
16 combined debit/credit card purchase transactions that post and clear in the statement months on the same membership account. ATM and cash advance transactions do not count toward the debit card transaction requirement.
You are automatically enrolled in eStatements when you enroll in Digital Banking.
Members must have at least one (1) direct deposit of at least $500 deposited into their Smart Money Checking a month to qualify for premium APY. An ACH is any deposit made to your checking account using your account and routing number, this could be any deposit that was automatically completed, such as your payroll deposited by your employer or your pension.
The dividend rate paid is based on the Average Daily Balance in the Smart Money Checking for the month. If the requirements are not met, the dividend rate of 0.01% APY is applied for the statement month. See how much you may earn over the course of a year with our Smart Money Checking Reverse Tier Calculator.
You can order free temporary checks upon request. Contact us.
Members are automatically opted in for Courtesy Pay on Draft/ACH transactions if member is in good standing. However, members are automatically opted-out of debit card Courtesy Pay, but may opt in at any time. You can also set up Overdraft Protection by applying for a personal line of credit or linking a savings or credit card to automatically transfer.
*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 5/1/2024. The interest rate and APY may change without notice after the account is opened. Fees may reduce earnings on the account. $5 prime share deposit required for membership. A $25 opening deposit is required for a Smart Money Checking account. 6.00% APY applies to average daily balances up to and including $2,000. For average daily balances greater than $2,000, the APY may range from 0.05% to 3.00%. If requirements** are not met, all balances will earn .01% APY. In order to get the higher rates, you must meet certain requirements each month. If you don’t meet the requirements, an APY of 0.01% APY applies to all balances. Limit one Smart Money Checking Share per account. Membership eligibility required. Federally Insured by NCUA.
When a check is issued, it requires an endorsement before you can deposit it.
It is important that you properly endorse your check to avoid possible returns or delays in processing it, and getting those funds deposited into your account.
The following tips will guide you in making sure your check is properly endorsed, depending on the type of check, the issuer, and who it is made payable to.
Be sure each payee endorses the back of the check and it is deposited into an account held jointly.
Checks payable to multiple payees cannot be deposited into a single owner’s account.
What is government check?
A government check is a U.S. Federal, State or Local Government Payroll, Expense Reimbursement, Tax Refund, or Benefit Assistance check. Some examples include:
TABOR
Government Stimulus
Social Security
Disability
Child Support
What about insurance checks that have two or more payees listed?
When an insurance check has “and” between the payee names, both signatures are required for this type of check to be properly endorsed, and this check must be deposited into a joint account.
If the insurance check has “or” between the payee names, either payee signature is accepted and can be deposited into either payee’s account.
If the insurance check has an "or" but it is not between the payee names, both signatures are required and must be deposited into a joint account.
A government check that says "Endorsement for Benefit of" or for benefit assistance for "Social Security," "Disability," or "Child Support" must be deposited into an account in the name of the beneficiary.
For example, if the check says, "John Doe for benefit of Jane Doe" it needs to be deposited into Jane Doe's account.
A check that says "Restrictive Endorsement" means that there are limits to what can be done with that check. For example, it might say: "John Doe for mobile deposit only".
"For mobile deposit only" should be written below endorsement(s) on checks deposited through mobile check deposit.
Please note that restrictive endorsements alone are not permitted on government issued or insurance checks. This means that the payee cannot simply write “for deposit only” on the back of the check and not endorse it. These checks must be endorsed by all payees. Once endorsed by all payees, then you can notate “for deposit only.”
An endorsement that includes "without recourse" cannot be accepted.
A blank check endorsement is when the back of a check is signed by the account owner, but a specific payee is not identified. The most common example of blank endorsements are checks payable to “cash” or the account owner’s name and presenting the check at their financial institution for cash or deposit.
A check with a special endorsement means that the payee has signed the check over to another party. These checks are also commonly known as “third party checks.”
"Third party checks" are approved on an exception basis only and must be reviewed prior to presenting the check for cash or deposit. Please visit your local branch or contact us for more information.
Signed over – Third Party checks
"Jane Doe pay to the order of John Doe"
Please note that third party checks cannot be deposited through Mobile Check Deposit.
A Trust is an entity created for the purpose of managing the financial assets of an individual or group for the purpose of Wealth Management, Estate Planning or Tax Benefits. A Revocable Trust is a type of trust whereby provisions can be altered or cancelled dependent on the grantor or the originator of the trust. An Irrevocable Trust is a type of trust that cannot be changed or cancelled after the document has been signed.
An individual living or working within Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties, or an immediate family member of someone who meets these qualifications is eligible to open a membership.
Members must have valid US government issued identification and must be a US Citizen or a resident alien.
The following trusts cannot be opened: Colorado Lawyer Trust Account Foundation (COLTAF), International trusts, Medicaid income trusts, any trust set up for the purpose of administering public funds, a trust operating as an administrator for individual’s monies or any type of income trusts, or if there are restrictions regarding account access, such as a court order for transactions or a multiple signature requirement.
Please complete the below forms to open a Trust account. Please note that the Westerra Certification of Trust requires notarization. You can fill out the form in its entirety, but do not sign this form until you are in the presence of a notary public. If you are not able to visit a notary in your area, please email specialtyaccounts@westerracu.com for other options.
Please note that additional documents may be required. You may upload supporting documents along with your application via DocuSign, drop off documents at your local Westerra Credit Union branch or mail documents to Westerra Credit Union, Attention: Operations, 3700 E Alameda Ave., Denver, CO 80209. For questions, please contact Westerra at 303-321-4209 or by email: specialtyaccounts@westerracu.com. Please allow two business days for a representative to contact you. All Specialty account requests including but not limited to Trust, Estate, Power of Attorney, Conservatorship, and Representative Payee/Responsible Individual requests are subject to review and approval.
Westerra Certification of Trust **Requires Notary**
After application completion you will be prompted to upload required documentation
Trustee(s) ID
Westerra Certification of Trust
SS-4 Form (if EIN is assigned to Trust)
WeGotYa is a Courtesy Pay service that adds a measure of protection to your spending/checking account.
WeGotYa (Courtesy Pay) may cover your transactions when you do not have sufficient funds in your spending/checking account. You will be charged a $20 WeGotYa (Courtesy Pay) fee each time we pay a transaction that overdraws your account. A maximum of three fees per day, per checking. You will only incur WeGotYa (Courtesy Pay) fees for covered transactions if your account is overdrawn. That means, instead of declining an automated (ACH) payment, check, one-time or recurring debit card transaction because of insufficient funds, Westerra Credit Union may pay your item, which may save you additional charges from the company you intended to pay.
If you’re set up for automated (ACH) payments or checks, good news: You’re automatically enrolled in WeGotYa (Courtesy Pay). Members must Opt-IN to WeGotYa (Courtesy Pay) for one-time and recurring debit card transactions. Accounts must be brought positive within 30 days of going negative.
To qualify for WeGotYa (Courtesy Pay), you must be at least 18 years old, have your spending/checking account opened for more than 30 days, and be in good standing with the credit union. These criteria may be changed at any time without notice. WeGotYa (Courtesy Pay) does not cover transactions through ATMs, tellers, phone banking, Digital Banking transfers or Money Market Account checks.
All members are automatically enrolled in WeGotYa (Courtesy Pay) for automated (ACH) payments or checks. Members must Opt-IN to WeGotYa (Courtesy Pay) for one-time and recurring debit card transactions.You have options to choose from:
We’ve made Opting-IN or Opting-OUT easy and can be done at any time during your account ownership. Simply complete any of the methods below:
Send a secure message through our Digital Banking message center.
Contact a member service representative by calling 303-321-4209.
Visit a member service representative at any of our convenient branch locations.
If there are not sufficient funds in your spending/checking account when a transaction is presented for payment, it may be paid using funds in this order:
Through transfers from your Westerra savings or Money Market Account (if applicable).
Through the available balance in your overdraft line of credit or Westerra credit card line or credit (if applicable).
Through WeGotYa (Courtesy Pay) — up to $200 on your Everyday Money account, or up to $750 for free or interest-earning spending/checking accounts, for a fee.
You then need to bring your account current within 30 days.
After the above options are accessed, if available, and there are still insufficient funds in the available account balance at the time of the transaction, the transaction will be declined, without a fee. However, you might have to pay fees from the company you intended to pay.
Your checking account has two kinds of balances: the actual balance and the available balance. Both can be checked by reviewing your account online, at an ATM, by phone or at a branch. It is important to understand how the two balances work so that you know how much money is in your account at any given time.
Your actual balance is the amount of money that is actually in your account at any given time. It reflects transactions that have posted to your account, but not transactions that have been authorized and are pending. While the term “actual” may sound as though the number you see is an up-to-date display of what is in your account that you can spend, that is not always the case. Any purchases, holds, fees, other charges or deposits made on your account that have not yet posted will not appear in your actual balance.
For example: If you have an actual balance of $50, but you just wrote a check for $40, then your actual balance will still show as $50, but it does not reflect the incoming or pending check transaction, so at this point, your actual balance will still say $50, but you have already spent $40.
Your available balance is the amount of money in your account that is available to you to use without causing a payment or transaction to be declined. The available balance takes into account things like holds placed on deposits and pending transactions — such as pending debit card purchases — that Westerra has authorized, but that have not yet posted to your account.
For example: You have an actual balance of $50 and an available balance of $50. If you were to use your debit card at a restaurant to buy lunch for $20, then that merchant could ask us to pre-authorize the payment. In that case, we will put a hold on your account for $20. Your actual balance would still be $50 because this transaction has not yet posted, but your available balance would be $30 because you have committed to pay the restaurant $20. When the restaurant submits its bill for payment, which could be a few days later, we will post the transaction to your account and your actual balance will be reduced by $20.
Your available balance is used to determine when your account will be overdrawn. For example: Your actual and available balances are both $50, and you use your debit card at a restaurant for $20. A hold is placed on your account, so your available balance is only $30. Your actual balance is still $50. Before the restaurant charge is sent to Westerra for processing, a check that you wrote for $40 clears. Because you have only $30 available (and you have committed to pay the restaurant $20), your account will be overdrawn by $10, even though your actual balance is $50. In this case, we may pay the $40 check through WeGotYa/Courtesy Pay, for a fee, and your account is overdrawn by $10. At our discretion, Westerra may decline or return a transaction unpaid for a fee.
It is very important to understand that you may still overdraw your account even though the available balance appears to show there are sufficient funds to cover a transaction that you want to make. This is because your available balance may not reflect all your outstanding checks and automatic bill payments that you have authorized, or other outstanding transactions that have not been paid or posted from your account. In the example above, the outstanding check will not be reflected in your available balance until it is presented to us and paid from your account.
Also, your available balance may not reflect all of your debit card transactions. For example, if a merchant obtains our prior authorization but does not submit a one-time debit card transaction for payment within two calendar days of authorization, we must release the authorization hold on the transaction. The available balance will not reflect this transaction once the hold has been released until the transaction has been received by us and paid or posted from your account.
Transactions are paid in the chronological order they are received, regardless of the dollar amount or method of presentation for payment on the account.
When more than one check is received on the same day, they are processed in check number order.
When automated (ACH) transactions are received on the same day, deposits to your account are posted first, followed by payments. If the balance in your account is exceeded, all subsequent items will be declined to the merchant or returned unpaid without a fee.
You will be charged a $20 Courtesy Pay fee each time we pay a transaction that overdraws your account. A maximum of three fees per day, per checking. You will only incur Courtesy Pay fees for covered transactions if your account is overdrawn. That means, instead of declining an automated (ACH) payment, check, one-time or recurring debit card transaction because of insufficient funds, Westerra Credit Union may pay your item, which may save you additional charges from the company you intended to pay.
Both overdraft protection and Courtesy Pay are designed to prevent you from having a transaction rejected due to nonsufficient funds (NSF), saving you any additional fees from a merchant or biller.
Overdraft protection does this by allowing funds to be transferred from a previously designated account (including any savings account or overdraft line of credit you have at Westerra) to pay for an item. Overdraft protection will NOT allow the account to be overdrawn (or go into a negative balance) to pay an item.
Courtesy Pay is a noncontractual courtesy payment program offered at the sole discretion of Westerra Credit Union that works this way: Instead of returning the transaction to the merchant and if your account is in good standing, we may approve your overdrafts within your current available Courtesy Pay limit for a fee. You will then need to bring your account to a positive balance (or good standing) within 30 days.
Set alerts in Digital Banking to let you know if your account reaches a certain high or low balance or if transactions over a certain amount take place on your account. Digital Banking is free for all members.
Download the free CardNav App to receive real-time notifications on your phone every time a transaction is made on your account. You can set spending limits, approved merchant locations and types of transactions — and you can turn your cards on or off instantly.
Use the free Westerra mobile banking app to quickly and easily check your balances.
Record all your automated transactions, bill payments, Digital Banking transfers, checks, debit card transactions, ATM withdrawals and other payments. Be sure you are tracking your actual balance, not just your available balance.
Ask us to automatically transfer funds from your other accounts when there are not enough funds in your spending/checking account to cover transactions. Choose the order you prefer to have funds transferred from – call us at 303-321-4209 or inquire at any branch to set it up:
Share account – Transfers are made in increments of $25 up to your available balance.
Money Market Account (if applicable) – Transfers are made in increments of $25 up to your available balance.
Overdraft line of credit (if applicable) – The amount needed to cover the transaction is transferred. Any fees and minimum payment are based upon the amount advanced. Apply at any branch or call us at 303-321-4209.
Westerra credit card – For debit card transactions, the amount needed to cover the transaction is transferred, up to your credit limit on the credit card, for a 2% cash advance fee. For all other methods of payment, transfers are made in the nearest increment of $25, up to your credit limit on the credit card, for a 2% cash advance fee. Complete this form to set credit card cash advances as overdraft protection. Apply for a Westerra credit card online, at any branch or call us at 303-321-4209.
When funds are depleted from the accounts you designated, Westerra may pay your transaction at our discretion through Courtesy Pay.
After the above options are accessed, if available, and there are still insufficient funds in the available account balance at the time of the transaction, the transaction will be declined, without a fee. However, you might have to pay fees from the company you intended to pay.
Love online shopping? So do we! That’s why we’re excited to bring you a new feature that will make your online purchases even safer. Starting May 1, 2025, we’ll be adding an extra layer of protection to help keep your account secure.
Here’s how it works: If you’re making a higher-risk online purchase, we’ll send you a One-Time Passcode (OTP) via text or email. It’s a quick and easy way to confirm it’s really you making the transaction.
Why is this important?
It’s an important step to protect you from fraud
It ensures a smoother, safer shopping experience
The passcode is personal and unique to you and your purchase
A quick reminder: Your One-Time Passcode is for your eyes only! Don’t share it with anyone—even if they claim to be from the credit union or another service. If you get a message asking for your passcode, it’s a scam.
One-Time Passcodes will only be sent when you’re making an online purchase and initiating the transaction. If you didn’t start a purchase and receive a passcode, just let us know right away.
We’re here to help you shop with confidence—because keeping your financial security a top priority is what we’re all about.
Wire transfers are a way to electronically transfer funds from one person or entity to another person or entity.
Quick tips:
Do not wire funds to anyone who overpays for something sold online or sends a check or money order, then cancels the deal and asks you to cash the check and wire back the money.
Give checks or money orders you receive from a stranger time to clear your accounts before you use the funds. Check with your financial institution for guidelines. If something feels off, it probably is.
Domestic and international wire transfers are typically sent the same business day if they are submitted prior to 2:00 p.m. MT. Otherwise, your wire will be sent the following business day.
Request an outgoing domestic wire transfer here or visit one of our branch locations. There is a $20 fee for domestic wires.
Request an outgoing international wire transfer here or visit one of our branch locations. There is a $50 fee for international wires. Please note that you will need to provide a correspondent bank that is compatible with the receiving financial institution. Please contact the receiving financial institution for guidance and information about the specific institutions they work with, as Westerra Credit Union does not have this information.
The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) Code is a unique identification code that may be required by some banks, broker-dealers and investment managers for the completion of international wire transfers.
Grandparent Scam: When you receive an unexpected phone call where the con artist poses as a relative in distress or someone claims to represent their relative and requests that your funds be transferred to them immediately.
Lottery/Sweepstakes Scam: When the victim receives a call or a letter stating that they have won a prize and in order to claim the prize, they must first pay taxes. You have not really won the sweepstakes if you are asked to pay to collect your winnings. Foreign lotteries are illegal — you have not won.
Craigslist Scam: When the victim sells an item online and is paid with a check for a larger amount, the scammer will request that the remaining funds be wired back to them.
Sweetheart Scam: When the scammer sends the victim a large check and requests some of the funds be wired back to them. These scammers usually gain your trust or could make you believe that you are in a relationship with them.
Email Wire Fraud: When a criminal hacks into someone else’s email account, impersonates them, then proceeds to reach out to their contacts and requests funds be wired to the hacker's accounts.
Rental Scam: When scammers post property rental ads to lure unsuspecting renters and request a deposit and upfront rent payments via wire transfer.
Title Company Scam: When the victim receives communication from someone claiming to be from a title or escrow company with instructions on where to wire funds.
