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FAQs - Membership

What qualifies me to become a member of UCU?

Membership of UCU is open to any worker (including their immediate family) that is employed within an industry in New Zealand that is covered by NZCTU affiliation unions.
 

Can I keep my account open if I am made redundant or retire?

Yes, subject to you notifying UCU of your particular circumstances. 

How do I close my account?

We simply require a signed written request from you.

FAQs - Savings

I haven’t used my account for a long time, how do I get a balance?

Just call us on 0800 800 143 and we can assist you with any account information you require.

How can I withdraw immediately from my account?

-apply for a Debit Card to access funds from ATM and EFTPOS machines

-visit our office in Johnsonville or Howick, we can issue you with a cash cheque

-post or fax us a signed written request and we can make an overnight transfer to a nominated bank account, providing we receive your request before 3:00pm Mon-Fri.

How can I deposit money into my account?

-deposits can be made at any branch of Westpac bank, simply by completing a deposit slip using your UCU 15 digit bank account number.

-transfer funds by way of Automatic Payment

-transfer funds by way of Direct Debit

-transfer funds direct from your wages
 

How long does it take to get money into my UCU account?

Funds are processed overnight through the banking system and are available as cleared funds the following day, unless you have deposited a cheque then there is a 7 day clearance.

Can I have more than one savings account?

Yes, besides your  Call Account which is the base account you can open up to five Target Saver Accounts which can be labelled for specific purposes, ie. Holiday, car, bills

Is it too late to setup a Christmas Club account?

No, you can open a Christmas Club account at any time of the year.

FAQs - Loans

Can I apply for a loan without joining UCU?

No, you must become a member of UCU to apply for a loan.

How long does it take to process a Loan Application?

Once we receive your application we usually have an answer within 1-2 working days.

Once I repay my loan does my account automatically get closed?

No, and there is no need to close your account.  In fact if you remain a member and continue to use your account on a regular basis you can continue to apply for further loans again in the future.  We cannot close your account unless we receive a signed written request authorising us to do so, or unless it has been inactive and dormant.

What happens if I miss a loan repayment?

A series of letters will be sent out reminding you to do so.  If you still do not make up missed payments your file may be sent to our Debt Collection Agency for them to retrieve the unpaid funds.

If I miss loan repayments but catch them up, how does this effect future loans?

If you have previous arrears history with us and apply for a subsequent loan you may be asked to offer security to support the application.

I have a loan already, can I apply for another?

Yes, you can have up to nine loans at any one time, subject to managements approval.  However in most cases we prefer to repay current loans from new loan advances so that you have just one loan repayment to worry about.
 

What are my options if I have poor credit history?

UCU has formed a relationship with the New Zealand Federation of Family Budgeting Services (NZFFBS).  This relationship is designed to enable our members to not only gain control of their finances but also to assist in managing short term debt.  Members who meet with a NZFFBS budget advisor to develop a budget plan may in turn qualify for an unsecured loan that would have otherwise be declined because of poor credit history.
 

FAQs - Internet Banking

 

How do I register for Internet Banking

Print a form off our website and post or fax it to our office

Does Internet Banking cost anything

No, internet banking is a free service

How do I setup up external bill payments

Go to transfers & payments, external payees. Click on add.  Search for your payee either by company or category.  Search results will appear on screen.  Select your desired payee, then click on select payee. Enter your reference details, then click on process. Check your details are loaded correctly, then click on confirm.  You have successfully set up a new external bill payment.

How do I make a payment to an external bill payee

Once you have successfully loaded your payee details by following the instructions above, go to transfers & payments, external transfer.  In the choose a previous payment dropdown menu, select your required payee.  Enter the amount you wish to pay, the frequency, and dates etc.  Click on process, check the details are correct and click on confirm.  Your payment will be made overnight if made before 3:00pm monday – friday, if after 3:00pm the payment will carry over to the next business day.

How do I make a payment as a one off to a random person or company

Go to transfers and payments, external transfer.  In the enter new payee name, type in the name of the person you are paying.  Enter the bank account number, the amount you wish to pay, the frequency, and dates etc.  Click on process, check the details are correct and click on confirm.  Your payment will be made overnight if made before 3:00pm monday – friday, if after 3:00pm the payment will carry over the next business day.

What if the company I am wanting to pay isn’t on the external payee list

In this case you are able to set up 9 private payees.  You will need to obtain the details of the company or person you are wanting to load, their business name, bank account number and any reference details that they will require on their payment.  Call our office on 0800 800 143 and we will email you a private payee form to complete and return to us.

Once you have ‘setup’ your bill payment simply log on to internet banking, go to transfers & payments, bill payments, drop down the payee list and select your chosen payee.  You do not need to complete the particulars, code and reference sections as these are preloaded from your initial form. Choose the account you wish to make your payment from, enter the amount you wish to pay, alter the frequency and date if need be then click on process.  Confirmation details will appear on screen, to continue click on confirm.  Your payment will be transferred overnight if made before 3:00pm monday to friday.

How do I transfer funds within my account

Go to transfers & payments, funds transfers.  Select the account to transfer from and the account to transfer to, enter the amount you wish to transfer, select process, check the details on the confirmation screen, select confirm.  Your transfer will update immediately.

How do I transfer funds from my account to another united credit union account

Go to transfers & payments, internal transfer.  Select the account you want to transfer from, enter the member number of the account you want the funds to go to, enter the sub account type ie. S1, enter the member’s surname in capital letters, enter the amount you wish to transfer, alter frequency and date if need be, then click on process, check details on the confirmation screen, select confirm.  Your transfer will update immediately.

How do I transfer funds to my previously loaded telephone banking bank account

Go to transfers & payments, bill payments.  Drop down the ‘choose a payee’ menu and select ‘external transfer’.  You do not need to complete the particulars, code and reference section.  Select the account you wish to transfer from, enter amount to be transferred, alter frequency and date if necessary, select process, check details on confirmation screen, select confirm.  The funds will be transferred to your previously nominated bank account overnight.  The transfer will occur overnight if you made your request before 3:00pm monday to friday.