FAQ: Online Account Opening

You become a member of a credit union by contributing $5 to a Savings account (We pay your $5 share when you open your account online). This is known as your “share.” To become a member, you must meet our membership criteria, which are listed on the first page of the application.

Yes! If you are already a member you can open additional deposit accounts completely online. Click here to go to the application.

If you would like to open a retirement account you can begin the process online by filling out the Retirement Account Application, but you will need to fund your account and verify your identity in a branch.

You can begin the process of applying for a loan on our website. However, you cannot create a loan account fully online. We will be rolling out this functionality in the coming months!

You can begin the process of opening a retirement account online, but you will need to come into one of our branches to sign documents and fund your account. Click here to fill out and submit the online retirement account application.

No, as of right now minor accounts must be opened in a branch with a parent or guardian.

For a personal account:

The application has two parts.

1. First you will submit the application itself, and then you will be provided with instructions to verify your identity via the ID-Pal mobile app.
2. Once you have verified your identity you will click “confirm” to confirm your submission, and you will be shown a success message. Once you have received this message from ID-Pal, you are done with your application. You should have received an email confirming your application.

If you have trouble with ID-Pal, feel free to call us at (907)459-5900 and we will send you another link to verify your identity.

For a joint account:

The application has two parts.

1. First you will submit the application itself, and then you will be provided with instructions to verify your identity via the ID-Pal mobile app. For joint accounts, both the primary applicant and the joint applicant must verify their identities. You can do two separate submissions on the same mobile phone, or each applicant can submit on their own mobile phone.
2. Once you have confirmed both submissions to ID-Pal, you are done with the application. You should have received an email confirming your application.

If you have trouble with ID-Pal, feel free to call us at (907)459-5900 and we will send you another link to verify your identity.

If you do not possess a valid Alaska ID, you are required to submit proof of address. This helps us validate that you meet our membership requirements. Valid documents must contain:

1. Your address
2. Your name
3. Be dated within the last 90 days.

Some examples of valid documents include utility bills, bank statements, and lease agreements.

We get it, overdraft protection can be confusing. You have three choices to make regarding overdraft protection if you are opening a Checking account. Be mindful that there is a $3.00 fee each day that your account has a negative balance. The following options can help you avoid having a negative balance.

1. Approve Debit Card Overdrafts. If you do not have enough money in your Checking account to cover a transaction with your debit card, do you want that transaction to be successful, or do you want it to decline? If you select yes to this question in the application, then the transaction would be successful and overdraft fees would apply.
2. Savings Account Transfers. If there is an overdraft charge to your Checking account, do you want us to automatically move money from your Savings account to cover the charge? There is a $7.50 fee that is assessed each day that a transfer takes place. However, this is the most cost-effective method to cover an overdraft and can help you avoid the daily $3 fees for having a negative account balance.
3. Courtesy Pay. This option is the most familiar to most members. You have the option to enroll in Courtesy Pay, which will extend you temporary credit (up to $500) to cover overdrafts. There is a $30 fee per overdraft transaction, and this product requires credit approval.

If you have more questions, feel free to call us at (907)459-5900.

We are required by law to verify your identity before opening your account. If you are uncomfortable with submitting your ID documents via ID-Pal, then you can come into one of our branches and present your ID in person.

If you are having trouble submitting your documents with ID-Pal, please give us a call and we will be happy to help.

Some common troubleshooting tips are listed below. If you continue to have trouble, give us a call and we will be happy to help! Fully submit your application, even if you are having problems with ID-Pal.

ID-Pal says that I have already made a submission, but I have not:

In the ID-Pal app, you should be able to click “Back to home screen” and then “Start a new submission.”

ID-Pal keeps telling me to re-take my ID photo:

Sometimes ID-Pal may have difficulty verifying your ID if your documents are worn or damaged, or if the photo is dark, shadowed, or contains glare.

Try to take a clear photo on a dark contrasting surface, with natural light if possible. Avoid overhead light. If ID-Pal continues to refuse your ID, please give us a call at 907-459-5900 and we will be happy to help!

Once your submission is made, all data captured by the app is wiped from the phone. It is then transferred and stored securely on a portal that only authorized individuals have access to.

ID-Pal is GDPR compliant, and ISO 27001 compliant, and follows the strictest data protection guidelines.

To become a member, you are required to have $5 in your Savings account. However, when you sign up online, we will cover your $5 member share!

Additionally, some accounts come with a minimum balance requirement, so you can enter an additional funding amount so that you meet the minimum balance and avoid any fees. The application will automatically calculate the additional funding amount that you need to enter based on the accounts that you have chosen. You can always go back in the application and select different accounts. You cannot enter an additional funding amount greater than $3,000.

When you sign up online, we will fund your required $5 member share in your savings account.

If you want to add an additional funding amount, add your card information and desired amount. It is your responsibility to fund your account via a different method (check, cash, ACH, wire) if you do not meet the minimum balance requirements of your selected accounts.

If you are looking for accounts that come with no minimum balance, try opening an e-Savings and E-Z Checking account.