General Questions
Stop into your nearest branch or visit our online portal to submit a membership application online.
If you are applying for membership online, choose the accounts you want to open on the online application.
To become a member, apply for membership online or visit one of our six locations.
The FAFCU routing number (also called the transit number of ABA) is 272486627. It is the first set of numbers on your checks as well.
We have branches in Fife Lake, Kalkaska, Manton, Mesick, Kingsley, and Lake City. Use our interactive map to see which branch is closest to you!
Our ATM’s are available 24/7 and lobby hours vary by location. View our Contact Us page to see our current hours at specific branches.
Debit/Credit Cards
Mobile Banking
Who can use RDC?
Any Member who:
- Has a good standing account
- Is 16 plus years of age
- Is enrolled in online banking
- Has an active account with FAFCU
- Has not previously abused RDC or evasive NSF items
What are the steps for approval?
Members must meet the standard requirements listed above, and then apply for RDC thru the mobile app. Once the member requests access, a FAFCU employee will review the request to make sure they meet the above requirements and make a decision.
What are the check limits for RDC?
Review All Items: NO
Maximum amount per item: $999.99
Maximum amount per day: $2,500.00
Maximum rolling 30-day amount: $25,000.00
Item Review Amount: $750.00
Check hold policy for RDC
At this time, we do not hold RDC checks, checks that need reviewing may require a hold according to FAFCU checking hold policy. This gives us the opportunity to review the check before we process it. Check holds will follow Reg CC and release $200 after 24 hours.
How are “on us” checks processed?
As the checks are submitted to our Check 21 solution (Check Logic) as soon as the member hits submit, the check will process like a typical outside check.
Can all checks be deposited via Remote Deposit Capture?
All checks are eligible to be deposited using RDC as long as the items are a U.S. check and have a fully encoded MICR line (the numbers and symbols at the bottom of the check: they include the routing number, account number and serial/check number). International (example: Canadian) checks are not eligible. As always, international items must be deposited through a branch office.
What types of check can I deposit?
Only checks made payable to the owner(s) of your account and drawn on a financial institution in the United States are eligible for deposit with Mobile Remote Deposit.
What happens to the checks after I scan them?
Checks will be processed as if it were a paper item brought in to the credit union. You are required to keep the physical checks in a secure location for 30 days. After that time, they must be destroyed using a shredder or incinerator.
What is the cut-off time for processing the checks?
Checks may be deposited at any time. Our system is set to post checks at 8:30, 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm and 11 pm.
What happens if I deposit a check more than once?
You the member are responsible for the duplicate. The remote deposit capture module has built-in safeguards to prevent the same item from being deposited more than once online. However, if a check is deposited online and at a branch, our backend system will detect the duplicate check. The amount of the duplicate item will be debited from your account.
Which mobile devices does Mobile Remote Deposit work with?
This product works with all iPhone and Android devices.
Is there a charge to use Mobile Remote?
Forest Area Federal Credit Union offers this product to our members free; however, there may be wireless carrier fees from your provider.
How do I access Mobile Remote Deposit?
Before you can access Mobile Remote Deposit, you must first be enrolled in Forest Area Federal Credit Union’s online banking program. Then, you can download our Mobile Banking app from your phone. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you will see an option called “Move Money”. This is where the Remote Deposit program is stored. You will then be prompted to choose which account you want to deposit the check to, the amount of the check and then you will proceed to take a picture of the front and back of your check. You must be sure to endorse the back of your check.
How do I know that a deposit was made?
All images processed for deposit through Mobile Remote Deposit will be treated as “deposits” under your current Membership and Account Agreement with us and will be subject to the terms of the Membership and Account Agreement. When we receive an image, you will receive a confirmation through the Mobile Remote Deposit service that the deposit has been submitted.
When will my deposit be credited to my account?
The total amount of daily checks deposited, less any holds, up to your available limit will be immediately credited to your account following the next scheduled posting.
Are deposits made through Mobile Remote secure?
All Forest Area Federal Credit Union online products are secure. Forest Area Federal Credit Union recommends that you always password protect your mobile device and not share your password with anyone.
1(866)-267-4725
Members can access a Virtual StrongBox via a Single Sign-On (SSO) From Within Online Banking. You can link to an online safe deposit box, accessed from directly within It’s Me 247. Here, you can conveniently save their important documents, such as wills, mortgages, tax documents and loan forms—all safely and securely.
My Virtual StrongBox allows members to exchange documents via a Secure Link with whomever they wish, including the credit union.
Deposit Services
Night Deposit gives our members who cannot make it to one of our branches during business hours a chance to make deposits or loans payments any time of day or night. We process them first thing every morning (excluding Sundays and holidays).
Yes. Any deposit made into a FAFCU ATM will have a 24-hour hold.
For a small fee, overdrafts are covered by transferring the required amount to cover the draft or debit transaction from either the share account or the overdraft line of credit account to keep members in good standing.
Cashier’s Checks add additional protection for recipients by taking the payer almost entirely out of the equation.
FAFCU offers Cashier’s Checks to meet members needs whenever a personal check is not acceptable. Cashier’s Checks can be purchased with cash or with available funds in your account. Cashier’s Checks are guaranteed where a personal check may be returned non-sufficient funds.
Visit your nearest branch to obtain a cashier’s check.
FAFCU offers another negotiable instrument to meet members needs whenever a personal check is not acceptable. Money orders are suitable for times when you do not wish to put your account information at risk and to avoid a non-sufficient funds return.
Money orders can be purchased for a small fee with cash or with available funds in your account. Money orders are free to our members over the age of 60. The maximum amount that can be requested is $2500.00.
Visit your nearest branch to obtain a money order.
A companion to AFT, Check Funds Transfer (CFT) is used to transfer funds from an account directly to a credit union check. The check is printed at the credit union, and can be mailed directly to any address as directed by the member. With CFT, a member can send money to a child away at college by sending a check to a financial institution in another state or receive required IRA distributions in the form of an easy-to-deposit credit union check. CFT’s can be established for many purposes such as rent and other reoccurring expenses in the same dollar amount.
Yes! Log in to your online banking or visit any of our branches to redeem a savings bond.
Our employees will take the guesswork out of the process and explain it all to you at no cost. Our redemption schedules are frequently updated by Treasury Direct to guarantee the correct redemption, so you’ll know how much you can redeem.
Plus, savings bonds can now be purchased online!
Additional Member Services
Yes! We offer four different sizes of Safe Deposit Boxes our member to keep their belongings safe (3X5, 5X5, 3X10, and 5X10) for an annual rental fee. Safe deposit boxes are used to store valuable possessions, such as gemstones, precious metals, currency, marketable securities, important documents (e.g. Wills, Property Deeds, or Birth Certificates), or computer data, that need protection from theft, fire, flood, tampering, or other perils. Safe Deposit boxes are only available in the Kalkaska North location.
Yes! We offer free Notary services to all our members. Each branch has at least 2 Notary Public Officers to help our members with authenticating official documents.
Members can sign an agreement with FAFCU to have certain bills paid by a credit union check of funds transfer. These bills must be in the same amount every month. This is offered to help our elderly members make their payments on time.
Yes. Wire Transfers allows our members to transfer money between institutions, even those who are out of state or not affiliated with our credit union.
There is a fee associated with incoming and outgoing wires. Wire Transfers are typically done the same day.
Visit your nearest branch to initiate a wire transfer.
Yes. Forest Area Federal Credit Union allows members to take cash advances from other issuer’s credit cards. Cash advances can be processed by a member service representative at the teller line. Cash advance limits are set by the issuer but are never greater than your credit limit less the cash advance fee. Most issuers set a separate cash credit limit, which is often a percentage of your total credit limit.