Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions…we have answers. We have noted the most common member questions we receive. Still looking for more info? CONTACT US
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Membership
What is the difference between a bank and a credit union?
A bank is owned by shareholders and is tasked with maximizing the shareholders’ investments. A credit union is a not-for-profit organization owned by its members. It exists to offer excellent service and affordable financial products to its membership.
How do credit unions operate?
Policies and procedures are set and monitored by a volunteer Board of Directors. Each credit union member has one vote and an equal voice in the management and direction of the credit union. The Board of Directors, who are elected by a majority vote from Credit Union, sets policies under which the credit union management carries out its duties.
What are the benefits of Education Credit Union membership?
As an ECU member, you have access to the full array of financial products and services that the credit union offers as well as the ECU Best Value Guarantee. This guarantee means that our members always receive the best local value on ECU products and services, including the best local loan rates, the best checking account, the best mobile app, best electronic services, and some of the best everyday savings and certificate rates in town: Additionally, as partial owners of the credit union, members have the opportunity to vote for the ECU Board of Directors. ECU members receive the best in service and better rates on loans and deposits than traditional banks. Lastly, you are also eligible to enjoy special member offers, promotions, scholarships, and more!
How do I know if I’m eligible for Education Credit Union membership?
Education Credit Union membership is open to all persons and their immediate family members who meet one of the following criteria:
- If you live, work, worship, or go to school within a 10-mile radius of any of our ten branch locations you are eligible for membership. Becoming a member is easy!
- All employees of all public, private or parochial schools, colleges or universities.**
- All students of all public, private or parochial schools, colleges or universities.**
- All individuals holding a valid Texas teaching certificate
- Home schoolers**
- Retirees receiving retirement or pension as a result of employment by any organization in the field of membership.
- Members of Canyon ISD Council PTA, Amarillo ISD Council PTA, WTAMU Alumni Association, and Bushland ISD Council PTA.
- Certified day-care workers in Potter and Randall counties.
- Spouses of eligible persons who died while in the field of membership.
- Employees of District 4 of the Texas Department of Transportation.*
- Any blood or legal relative of anyone who is eligible for membership.
- Anyone living, working, attending church, or school within 10 miles of any of our locations.
*Potter, Randall, Armstrong, Carson, Dallam, Sherman, Hansford, Ochiltree, Lipscomb, Hartley, Moore, Hutchinson, Roberts, Hemphill, Gray, Deaf Smith, Donley and Oldham
**Potter, Randall, Armstrong, Carson, Donley, Oldham, Texas are eligible for membership as well as any individual related by blood or marriage to a person listed above are also eligible for membership.
Please help us deliver the news to your friends and family. They can stop by any Education Credit Union branch to join and receive the same great service and benefits you receive!
How do I become a member?
Stop by any ECU branch to open a Share (Savings) account. The $5 minimum balance in your savings account and the $1 one-time membership fee establishes your membership and gives you access to all ECU membership benefits. It also enables you to vote for our Board of Directors. Please bring a photo ID with you when you open your account. Learn more about becoming a member.
Accounts
How are my deposits insured?
Funds on deposit at ECU are privately insured by NCUA up to $250,000 per membership. You can have as many accounts as you would like to own. Most banks are insured up to only $100,000 per depositor. NCUA insures accounts, not individuals, which allows for an unparalleled level of protection for ECU members’ deposits. Additionally, ECU offers further coverage through Excess Share Insurance Corporation, which provides up to an additional $250,000 of insurance per Membership.
Can I access my accounts without going to a branch office?
You bet! Our automated phone service, TouchTone Teller, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allowing you to transfer funds between accounts, make payments to your Education Credit Union loan, check your account balances, review account history, and more! You may also sign up for ECU eBranch Online Banking and Real-time Mobile Banking to access your accounts free of charge. Lastly, we also offer Mobile Check Deposit to enable you to deposit a check from anywhere you have internet access and your smart phone. Learn more
How do I notify Education Credit Union of a change of address?
There are several ways you can notify ECU of an address change:
- Update contact information through the ECU eBranch Online Banking.
- Print Change of Address form and mail.
- Call Member Support at 800-687-8144 or 806-358-7777 and request a Change of Address form.
- Visit any ECU branch.
What is Education Credit Union’s routing number?
If you have a checking account at Education Credit Union, this number is located on the bottom of your check. ECU’s routing number is 311376782. The routing number is also referred to as a routing and transit number.
How do I establish Direct Deposit?
To establish Direct Deposit, you must contact your employer for the appropriate forms. Education Credit Union’s routing number is 311376782. For more information, call ECU at 800-687-8144 or 806-358-7777.
Online, Mobile, and Telephone Banking
How do I sign up for ECU’s eBranch Online Banking?
To connect to eBranch:
- Visit www.educationCU.com.
- Click the eBranch Online Banking icon.
- Enter your account number (or username, if you have created one) and click Submit.
- Enter your password and click Next. If you have logged in before, you will also need to answer one of your chosen security questions.
- First-time users should follow the instructions on the screen to change your temporary password and set up your security questions and other settings.
- When the eBranch screen appears, you are in!
How do I access ECU’s Real-time Mobile Web Banking?
To log in to ECU’s Mobile Web Banking, type www.EducationCU.com into your mobile phone web browser and click on the eBranch icon. Your phone will automatically switch to the mobile version after a few seconds.
How do I sign up for Text Banking?
You can enroll in Text Banking by clicking on the “Go Mobile” button on the ECU eBranch toolbar,then select Text Banking Home to access the enrollment screens. After enrollment, text commands to 454545.
What are the Text Banking commands?
Use texting to stay informed and in control of your accounts. Easily text anytime to see an account balance or to transfer funds. You can also set up eAlerts to automatically receive text messages regarding account balances, ACH transactions, or loan payments due.
Text Banking makes it easy to access account balances and transactions, right on your mobile phone. It’s the fastest way to get your balances – anytime, anywhere. Just text a short command to 454545, and you will quickly receive the information you want. Here are some of the requests you can make with Text Banking:
- BAL — Current and available balances for a primary account you designate
- LAST — The last five transactions in your primary account.
- BAL ALL — Current balances for all the accounts you have with us.
- Click here for more commands.
Identity Theft
What should I do if I think I may be a victim of identity theft?
If you are a member of Education Credit Union, you should contact us , and we will close affected accounts or place a notification on accounts that have not been directly affected. It is important that you notify all of your credit card issuers and other creditors. File a police report and keep copies of the report to prove that unauthorized charges do not belong to you.
The Federal Trade Commission has an ID theft affidavit, a form for victims to provide to creditors and credit-reporting agencies. It can be downloaded at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/ or you can receive the form by mail after calling 1.877.IDTHEFT. Trained counselors are available to speak with you and assess your situation.
To further protect yourself, you should contact one of the three major credit-reporting agencies to place an alerton your credit bureau report at no charge to you. Each fraud unit will share this information with the other two agencies. Here is the contact information for the three credit-reporting agencies:
Equifax
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
www.equifax.com
1.800.525.6285
Experian
P.O. Box 9530
Allen, TX 75013
www.experian.com
1.888.397.3742
TransUnion
Fraud Victim Assistance Division
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634
www.tuc.com
1.800.680.7289.
Privacy
Does Education Credit Union have a Privacy Policy?
Yes, we have a member Privacy Policy that regulates and protects all member data.
Lost or stolen VISA® credit cards must be reported immediately to any ECU location at 806-358-7777 or 800-687-8144.
After hours, you may report a lost or stolen VISA® credit card by calling 855-651-7812. If you call after hours, please report your lost or stolen card to ECU the next business day.