Frequently Asked Questions

In Online Banking, look for "Manage Money", and select "Money Management". This account aggregator can pull the information from all your accounts into one place.

We’d love to have you join our extended family and become a NorthCountry member. For your convenience, we have two different options for opening accounts:

• Stop into any of our branches during regular business hours
• Apply for membership online with our easy account application*

You can easily do this yourself within digital banking. (Look under "More" in the mobile app.) After it's open, you can go to your user preferences to give it a descriptive nickname of your choice (taxes, vacation, tuition, etc.).

To open an account at the credit union, a person needs to live, work, worship, or attend school in one of the following counties:

Vermont: Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Washington. 

New Hampshire: Coos, and Grafton

New York: Clinton

You'll need to provide proof of your identity, your physical address, and a Social Security number.

NorthCountry ATMs are located at all branch locations. You can also use your NorthCountry debit card at machines on the nationwide CO-OP network at no charge. Look for the CO-OP logo, or use the CO-OP's ATM locator website.

If you meet Kasasa® qualifications, up to $20 of your ATM fees will be refunded each month. Learn more on our Checking Accounts page. 

For accounts in good standing, the first $500 of your ATM deposit is immediately available. The remainder will be available on the third business day.

Safe deposit boxes are available for rent at our South Burlington, Alburgh, and Berlin offices. Please refer to the fee schedule for rental cost and contact us for availability. 

NorthCountry is closed on all federal holidays. Some locations may be closed other days as well. Please visit our holiday schedule page for a full list of closures.

Canadian and other foreign funds can be provided upon request. Please see the instructions for ordering foreign currency.

Community giving grant applications are accepted anytime during the year.

If you see a charge that you suspect may be fraud, contact us immediately at one of the phone numbers below. If possible, let us know where your card was lost or stolen and the last authorized transaction on the card. You should also turn off your credit card in digital banking.

• Regular business hours: 1 800 660-3258
• After hours: 1 866 606-2608
• International callers: (Collect) 1 727 299-2449

From time to time, the credit union may automatically increase your credit limit based on your use and credit score. You can also request a higher credit limit increase by reaching out to us. Visit our Contact Us page for ways to get in touch.

It's probably due to one of these issues:

• Your transaction fell outside of your normal spending habits and triggered our fraud detection software
• Your credit card information was entered incorrectly
• You turned off your credit card using the security features in digital banking
• Your credit card has expired
• You have exceeded your credit limit

Still not sure? Contact us for assistance.

To redeem your points, log into your account and tap or click on your credit card account. Follow the "rewards" link to the redemption site.

Your credit limit is the maximum balance you are authorized to carry on your credit card account. Not sure what it is? You can find it by checking your account in digital banking.

You must pay a minimum amount each month to keep your account in good standing. This minimum payment amount is included on your statement and is equal to 2% of your new balance, but at least $20. If the new balance is less than $20, then the minimum payment would be equal to the new balance.

If you do not recognize a charge or feel you were billed an incorrect amount, first double-check your receipts and check with other authorized users of your card. If the amount is still unexplained, contact the merchant where the purchase originated. If your dispute remains unresolved, let us know and we can open an investigation.

Although your Visa will work in most countries, transactions in certain countries may be restricted due to fraud trends. If you would like assistance while traveling internationally, please visit our Contact Us page for ways to get in touch.

Yes. Please call us at 800-660-3258 and we’ll be happy to help.

To access your credit card information, log into digital banking. Your credit card will be listed in your accounts. Click or tap the account heading for your credit card information.

Cash advances from your credit card can be processed at any financial institution. If you would like to use your credit card at an ATM, call 888-886-0083 to request a PIN.

A credit score is a three-digit number calculated to indicate your creditworthiness. The higher the score, the more creditworthy you are to a lender. A credit score is calculated from the information in your credit report and considers your on-time payments, the length of your payment history, your mix of different types of credit accounts, and other factors. Your age, income, employment, marital status, and account balances have no impact on your score.

VantageScore was founded by the three leading credit reporting agencies -- Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This credit score model was developed by a representative team of statisticians, analysts, and credit data experts from each of the credit reporting companies, and is used by hundreds of institutions, including credit unions, banks, and credit card issuers, and mortgage lenders. It is calculated on a scale of 300-850, with 300 being the lowest score and 850 being the highest.

A good score may mean you have easier access to more credit and lower interest rates. The consumer benefits of a good credit score go beyond the obvious. For example, underwriting processes that use credit scores allow consumers to obtain credit much more quickly than in the past.

A credit score is comprised of five components:

40% Payment History:  Lenders want to know whether you're good about making your loan payments on time.

23% Usage: Credit usage, also known as credit utilization, is how much of your total credit limit on your revolving accounts you're using. It is best to keep it below 30%.

21% Credit Age:  The average of your oldest open credit accounts to your newest open credit accounts determines your credit age. In general, the longer your credit history the better, particularly accounts with a good payment history and no late payments.

11% Credit Mix:  It's important to have a mix of different types of credit like revolving credit and installment loans. Your score will likely be higher if you have a good payment history with both installment loans (like student loans and mortgages) and revolving credit (like credit cards).

5% Inquiries:  Any time you apply for a credit card, or a lender checks your credit for a loan, it's known as an inquiry. Hard inquiries show on your credit report when your credit is pulled by a lender for a car loan, mortgage, or credit card. Applying for several credit cards or opening multiple credit accounts in a short period creates hard inquiries and could signal an increased credit risk to a lender. Soft inquiries, on the other hand, don't show on your credit report and occur when you check your credit, or a lender pre-approves you for an offer.

Credit scoring models do not consider race, color, religion, nationality, sex, marital status, age, salary, occupation, title, employer, employment history, where you live, or where you shop.

If you have funds in your checking account to cover transactions, your card may have declined because:

• Our fraud prevention software detected a purchase outside normal spending habits or in a place you don’t usually travel. If this is the case, we may call or text you to verify the purchase is actually yours.
• Your information was entered incorrectly.
• You turned off your debit card.
• Your card has expired.
• The funds from a deposit you made are not yet available.

Stop by any branch and leave with an activated debit card within minutes. Or visit our Contact Us page to order one through our Contact Center.

If you believe your debit card is lost or stolen, or notice suspicious activity, please call the appropriate number:

• During business hours: 800 660-3258
• After business hours within U.S.: 866 642-6101
• After business hours outside U.S. (collect call): 727 299-2449

Our debit card is free. A replacement fee applies for debit cards that have been lost, stolen, or damaged.

Sign up for direct deposit through your employer's human resources or payroll office and your salary will be safely deposited into your NorthCountry account for you. Direct deposit is also available for government payments, including Social Security.

If you are a small business and would like to offer employees direct deposit, ask about our ACH Origination services.

It's our goal to provide you with excellent service while meeting all the requirements of a Medallion Signature Guarantee. To do this, we recommend you review the following in advance of requesting a Medallion Signature Guarantee:

• This service is restricted to members in good standing.
• A valid photo ID is required from each signer.
• Bring proof of ownership and value.
• Documents must be signed by all owners in our presence, not beforehand.
• We may ask for up to five business days to review the documentation.

Sale or transfer of multiple stocks by sole owner

• Irrevocable Stock Power

Security with multiple owners

• Every owner must be present to sign or...
• Specific Power of Attorney for Multiple Securities Owners if not all owners present

Security owned by trust

• Trust agreements identifying trust owners, agents and trustees or...
• Certified will if trustee established in will (must sign as trustee under name)

Name change

• Legal documentation of name changes, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree

Divorce settlement

• Divorce decree and Qualified Domestic Relations Order
• A signed Letter of Intent from the spouse surrendering the assets

Joint tenants with rights of survivorship

• Certified Death Certificate
• Affidavit of Domicile
• Inheritance Tax Waiver. Only if value greater than $25,000 and decedent resided in Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, or Tennessee.

Inheritance-designated on the securities account (also known as a Transferable on Death Registration)

• Certified Death Certificate
• Documentation from the security firm listing designated beneficiaries

Inheritance-probate

• Certified Death Certificate
• Letter of Testamentary or Administration
• Documentation from the security firm designating the estate as beneficiary

Log into your account from a desktop computer. Click "Additional Services," and then choose "Online Statements and Notices." The system will save up to 12 months of statements for you.  Watch this video: https://go.northcountry.org/SwitchtoEstatements

• They’re safer. Don’t be a victim of paper mail theft! E-statements are password protected.
• They’re faster. E-statements are available almost immediately on the first of the month.
• They save money. When you help us operate more efficiently, we can return the savings to you through better rates and lower fees.

If you are having issues with the mobile app, please make sure you are on the most current version. Another strategy is to uninstall and reinstall the app. If you need assistance with any of this, please feel free to reach out.

Call toll-free 800-723-2210 with any questions regarding your student loan. If you are an existing borrower, you can view your account information at www.uasconnect.com.

Student loan payments should be mailed to: UAS, PO Box 5865, Carol Stream, IL 60197-5865

• Membership at the credit union
• Proof of graduation from an approved four-year, not-for-profit institution
• United States citizenship
• At least two years of income history
• A minimum FICO of 660

Private

• Undergraduate loans
• Graduate loans
• Previously consolidated private loans

Federal

• Direct loans (subsidized and unsubsidized)
• Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) Stafford Loans
• Perkins Loans
• Grad PLUS Loans
• Previously consolidated federal loans

Others

• Parent PLUS Loans (affidavit must be signed by all parties)
• Institutional Education Loans

You will receive a notice in the mail or e-statement prior to the maturity of your Share Certificate. After the maturity date, you have 10 days to contact us. You can choose to roll it over into a different term Share Certificate or withdraw the funds. If you do nothing, they will automatically roll over into the same term and type of share certificate. (See the Share Certificates Truth-In-Savings Disclosure for more information.)

A minimum balance of $500 is required for most Share Certificates, including IRAs.

You may set up your Share Certificate as an IRA, if you wish. Traditional, Roth, and Education IRAs are available. (See the Share Certificates Truth-In-Savings Disclosure for more information.) 

If you are financing a vehicle at NorthCountry, we will need:

• A Purchase & Sales Agreement (or Bill of Sale)
• Your insurance agency’s name and your policy number (available on your insurance card)
• In some situations, we may also require proof of income

To get your current loan payoff amount, please contact us. 

Once your vehicle loan is paid off, the title will be mailed directly to you within 30 business days. If you need it sooner, contact us. 

If you're planning to pay off the vehicle and pick up the title same-day, you'll need a cashier’s check. Personal checks often have holds placed on them to make sure the funds clear. We will not release a title if the funds are not verified. 

To receive an incoming wire, provide the sender with NorthCountry's routing number (211691004) and your account number. An incoming wire fee applies.

To send a wire, contact us or come into a branch with the routing number of the recipient’s financial institution, their account number, and their address. Foreign wires may also require a SWIFT code. Outgoing wire fees apply.