FAQs

You can find a Stanford FCU ATM, and 30,000 more fee-free ATMs by visiting our ATM and Branch Locator.

If you have a debit card, you can also receive cash back at no charge when you make a purchase at a retail location.

For your convenience, we also participate in shared branching with Co-op, a cooperative effort between credit unions nationwide to assist each other’s members. As a result, you can conduct business on your Stanford FCU accounts at other credit unions throughout the country as though you were at your local branch.

For a list of shared branch locations, visit our ATM and Branch Locator.

In addition to STAR^® and Plus, we also use Co-op, with over 30,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide. You can get cash back when you make a purchase at many retailers like grocery stores.

We also participate in shared branching with Co-op, a cooperative effort between credit unions nationwide to assist each other’s members. As a result, you can conduct business on your Stanford FCU accounts at other credit unions throughout the country as though you were at your local branch (some service limitations may apply).

For a list of shared branch locations, visit our ATM and Branch Locator.

You can open a savings or checking account at the same time you become a member. Once you become a member, you can open additional accounts and apply for loans through Digital Banking. You can also open accounts at any Stanford FCU branch.

If you previously ordered checks through Stanford FCU and your information has not changed, you may reorder checks through Digital Banking by clicking here.

If any of your information has changed, you will need to contact us to place your order: Visit any of our branch locations, call a Member Advisor at 888.723.7328, or send a secure Message through Digital Banking.

Although you can order checks from any vendor, we strongly recommend that you order them through Stanford FCU’s preferred vendor. This helps ensure quality and security to ensure there are no issues with your checks. And the first box of checks is free for new members!

If you previously ordered checks through Stanford FCU and your information has not changed, you may reorder checks in Digital Banking.

You can also visit any of our branch locations or call a Member Care Team Specialist at 650.723.2509 or 888.723.7328 toll free.

Although this is the least secure and slowest way to make a deposit, you can mail a check for deposit to:

Stanford FCU
P.O. Box 10690
Palo Alto, CA 94303-0843

You can also stop by one of our branches, use a shared branch or deposit-taking ATM, or make a deposit with our Digital Banking.

Follow these steps to deposit a check through our Digital Banking:

1. Endorse your check by signing the back
2. Log into our Digital Banking, and go to Move Money or choose Deposit in the mobile app
3. Select the account to deposit into
4. Enter the check amount
5. Place your check on a plain, dark surface and capture the front, then back
6. Submit your deposit
7. Follow any additional prompts

Retain the check for 90 days before destroying.

Note: There is a maximum check amount of $50,000.

All of our personal checking (spending) accounts are free, with no minimum balance or other requirements. For up-to-date information on our spending account requirements, visit our Personal Checking Account page.

Our Business Spending account does require a minimum balance to avoid a monthly service fee. For more information on Business Spending, visit our Business Checking account page.

You’ll also find that our account fees(link to Service Fees page) are considerably fewer and lower than the big banks!

Check holds vary based on the length of membership and the check amount. Click here to request a Check Hold Release through Digital Banking.

It’s easy to add or switch your direct deposit to Stanford FCU through your employer or the Social Security Administration. You can also use our Non-Federal Direct Deposit Enrollment Request Form to assist your employer if needed. You’ll need the following information:

• Stanford FCU’s routing number: 321177722
• Your account number (log in to Digital Banking, click on the three dots at the bottom of the account tile on the home page, and choose Account Details)
• Our address: Stanford Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 10690, Palo Alto, CA 94303-0843
• Our phone number: 650.723.2509

 Once your company receives the information or form, the direct deposit switches typically take 1-2 pay cycles.

There could be many reasons why this is happening. Please call a Member Care Team Specialist at 888.723.7328 toll free. You can also use Chat during business hours to resolve the issue.

If you’re traveling out of state or out of the country, be sure to set a Travel Notice so we don’t block your credit or debit card. List all areas you may be visiting, including layover cities. Once submitted, you should receive a secure message that it has been received.

We do not allow card transactions in countries sanctioned by the U.S. or prohibited by U.S. law.

The following types of checks are accepted with mobile check deposit:

• Personal checks
• Business checks
• Government/Treasury checks
• Cashier’s checks

Note: The check must be from a United States financial institution and in United States currency.

Depositing checks with your smartphone or tablet is easy with Stanford FCU’s convenient mobile app!

Follow these steps to deposit a check:

• Endorse your check by signing the back
• Log in to Digital Banking, and select Deposit from the quick links at the bottom
• Select the account to deposit into
• Enter the check amount
• Place your check on a plain, dark surface and capture the front, then back
• Submit your deposit
• Follow any additional prompts
• Retain the check for 90 days before destroying.

Note: There is a maximum check amount of $50,000.

Mobile deposits are subject to verification, and funds may not be available immediately. Once the deposit has been received, you’ll be able to view the pending transaction through Digital Banking. In most cases, checks will be deposited the same day.

You can also request a Check Hold Release through Digital Banking. Click here.

Ready to make a mobile deposit? It’s easy!

Follow these steps to deposit a check:

1. Endorse your check by signing the back
2. Log in to the mobile app and select Deposit from the very bottom
3. Select the account to deposit into
4. Enter the check amount
5. Place your check on a plain, dark surface and capture the front, then back
6. Submit your deposit
7. Follow any additional prompts

Retain the check for 90 days before destroying.

Please note: There is a maximum check amount of $50,000.

Our mobile check deposit service leads the industry with its patented agile risk management tools and proprietary image technologies to ensure your transaction is secure. For added protection, the images of your checks are not stored on your mobile device. Mobile deposit is much safer than mailing a check, and faster than driving to a branch or ATM to deposit it.

Stanford FCU charges a monthly $5.00 inactivity fee for an account with less than $2,500 and no activity for the past 12 months. For current information about our fees, please see our Schedule of Fees.

The inactivity fee was disclosed in the Member Agreement you received at the time you opened your account. If you have other active accounts or loans, you will not be charged this fee.

Avoid Inactivity Fees

You can avoid the fee by making at least one transaction every six months, or opening other active accounts such as:

• New and used auto loans – consider refinancing an existing loan to lower your monthly payment
• Rewards Credit Cards with no foreign transaction fees, balance transfer fees, or annual fee (and you’ll earn rewards on every purchase)
• Home loans you can trust, with great rates and personal service
• High-rate Money Market and Certificates help you earn more
• Investment products to help your savings grow

Stanford FCU does not charge our members to use non-Stanford FCU ATMs, however the owner of the other ATM may charge a fee. We waive those bank fees for members with Student Spending Accounts, and those with an Ambassador or Partner Loyalty+ relationship (and provide other benefits!). All members can find over 30,000 fee-free ATMs by using our ATM and Branch Locator.

There are no fees for replacing a lost or stolen card.

You can view our current ATM and Debit Card fee(s) on our Schedule of Fees. All fees are subject to change without notice.

If you are a member of Stanford FCU, then all Stanford FCU ATMs are free! If you are a member of the Co-op Shared Branch Network, then our ATMs are free for you as well.

Stanford FCU members with Student Spending accounts and members with an Ambassador relationship get free unlimited worldwide ATMs, with all ATM fees reversed.

All Stanford FCU members have access to 30,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide. Use our ATM Locator to find one near you.

If you use your debit card, you can also receive cash back at no charge when you make a purchase at a retail location.

If you are a non-member you will be charged $3.00 per transaction (unless you are a member through Co-op). The only time our members will be assessed an ATM fee is when you withdraw cash from an ATM that is not in our network (the fee will be charged by the other bank, not Stanford FCU).

Please refer to our Schedule of Fees for a complete list of fees.

We absolutely will accept coin deposits! We do not have coin counting machines, so you will need to roll your coins before you bring them in for deposit.

You can find a Stanford FCU branch or fee-free ATM near you by visiting our ATM and Branch Locator.

Questions? Contact us at 888.723.7328 or use Chat.

You can get a free Cashier’s Check from a local Stanford FCU branch, any shared branch in the U.S., or request one through Digital Banking (if the check will be payable to you). You’ll receive an email confirmation after your request is received, and you should receive your check within 7 to 10 business days.

If you need a Cashier’s Check made payable to another person, you can use Chat or send a secure Message through Digital Banking.

The maximum daily ATM withdrawal is $500. If you need to withdraw more, please call us at 888.723.7328 or visit a branch.

Out of town? No problem!

For your convenience, we participate in shared branching with Co-op, a cooperative effort between credit unions nationwide to assist each other’s members. As a result, you can conduct business on your Stanford FCU accounts at other credit unions and ATMs throughout the country as if you were at your local branch (with some service restrictions).

For a list of participating shared branch locations, please visit our ATM and Branch Locator.

Yes! To find a deposit-taking ATM near you, please use our ATM and Branch Locator. You will find a list of our branches and thousands of fee-free and deposit-taking ATMs throughout the country.

Our policy is to make funds from your cash and check deposits available to you on the first business day after the day we receive your deposit. Funds from deposits (cash or checks) made at ATMs that we do not own or operate may not be available until the fifth business day after the day of the deposit. If the deposit is made at a non-Stanford FCU ATM, we may also extend the hold depending on the type of check deposited.

You can also make deposits electronically using mobile deposit within our mobile app. Just download the Stanford FCU mobile app from the App Store or Google Play, then follow the prompts to enroll.

Stanford FCU doesn't offer Student Loans at this time. However, we're committed to offering better banking for students:

Our simply free Student Spending account for Stanford University undergrad and graduate students pursuing a master's degree has free unlimited worldwide ATMs, plus no monthly minimums or fees, no overdraft or wire fees, and no direct deposit required. In fact, there are no fees! Switching is easy, free, and takes less than 3 minutes! Open your account today.

The Student Cash Rewards credit card is a safe and easy way to build credit and earn cashback. There are no fees, a low rate, and even 5% cashback on select on-campus dining! Stanford FCU Credit Union does not offer Student Loans at this time. However, we’re committed to offering better banking for students. Consider switching to a checking account that saves you money!

Please click here for our fillable Trustee’s Account Agreement form, or Trust Agreement form.

A trust is an estate-planning tool used primarily to avoid the delays and costs of the probate process, which is what happens when someone passes away with only a will or no will.

Choosing and creating a trust can be a complex process; the guidance of an attorney with estate planning expertise is highly recommended.

Types of Stanford FCU Trusts

1. Revocable - at least one Trustor of the Trust must be a member of Stanford FCU
2. Irrevocable - either all of the Trustors or all of the Beneficiaries of the Trust must be members of Stanford FCU

Upon creating the agreement, the member transfers title to his Stanford FCU assets to be held in trust.

A trust is an estate-planning tool used primarily to avoid the delays and costs of the probate process, which is what happens when someone passes away with only a will or no will.

Choosing and creating a trust can be a complex process; the guidance of an attorney with estate planning expertise is highly recommended.

Types of Stanford FCU Trusts

1. Revocable - at least one Trustor of the Trust must be a member of Stanford FCU
2. Irrevocable - either all of the Trustors or all of the Beneficiaries of the Trust must be members of Stanford FCU

Upon creating the agreement, the member transfers title to their Stanford FCU assets to be held in trust.

If you’ve created a trust agreement and would like to transfer title of your credit union assets to be held in trust, you will need to complete a Trust Agreement.

If you’re not yet a member and need to establish an account that you would like held in trust, you will need to become a member and complete a Trust Agreement.

Questions? Contact our Member Care Team at 888.723.7328 or schedule an appointment at a local branch.

You can close a checking (spending), savings or money market account in Digital Banking and direct us on what to do with the remaining account balance: Either transfer the balance to another Stanford FCU account where you’re the primary or joint owner, or have a Cashier’s Check mailed to you. Click here to close an account in Digital Banking.

You may close a Certificate on the maturity date or during the 7-day grace period that follows it.

Alternatively, you may close your account by calling 888.723.7328, sending a secure Message in Digital Banking, or visiting a local Stanford FCU branch.

Your account number can be located:

• Within Digital Banking: Select the account, then click the three dots  > and select Account Details to view the Account Number
• On the bottom of your checks:
  
• Contact our Member Care Team at 888.723.7328, visit any of our branch locations, or send a secure Message in Digital Banking. For security purposes we will not include any account numbers via email.

Before you close your Stanford FCU account, please note that you’re a member for life, and we have hundreds of members doing business with us around the world! Our Visa debit and credit cards are international, with no foreign transaction fees. Let us know how we can serve you!

If you absolutely must close your account (and we hate to see you go), there are three options:

1. Close your account in Digital Banking
2. Sign a written request and mail it to Stanford FCU, c/o Account Closure, P.O. Box 10690, Palo Alto, CA 94303-0843
3. Visit a local Stanford FCU branch

Members also have access to 6,000 Co-op shared branches at other credit unions, where you can conduct transactions on your Stanford FCU accounts.

You can check your account balances and transactions 24/7 by logging in to Digital Banking. Learn more about Digital Banking on our website.

A canceled check is a check which has cleared the depositor’s account, and therefore marked “canceled” by the depositor’s financial institution. Copies of canceled checks can be used as proof of payment and are accessible for up to 7 years.

You can get a copy of a cleared check online. Just log into Digital Banking and search for the transaction in your transaction history. When you click on the check number, you should be able to view and print a copy of the cleared check.

Please note: You can view the past 18 months’ worth of transactions in Digital Banking. If you need a check copy prior to this time frame or a range of checks, you can use our Research Request option in Digital Banking.

Yes! You can open a savings or checking (spending) account without leaving the comfort of your home. Review our savings and checking account options first. Current members can open accounts through Digital Banking. Non-members can also join and open an account online.

• Everyday Spending
• High Yield Spending
• Student Spending
• Teen Spending

You can also become a member by opening a Savings or Money Market Account.

Plaid is an online service that instantly links external accounts to your Stanford FCU bank account. Click here to access Plaid in Digital Banking.

There are two ways to link accounts:

1. Instant Auth. Plaid uses an instant authentication, which means you don’t have to wait on microdeposits before linking an external account. To use Instant Auth, sign in with your online credentials for your external account.
2. Microdeposits. If your external institution isn’t connected to Plaid, you can still use Plaid to link your accounts via Microdeposits. This will take 1-2 business days. To complete this process, you will need your account and routing numbers.

Some financial institutions scramble account numbers for security. This means you may not see your actual external account number in Digital Banking.

You can unlink an account through Profile & Settings.

If you already have a beneficiary on file, you’ll see the beneficiary name appear under Add As Beneficiary on the Account when you open a new deposit account in Digital Banking. Simply check the box next to the beneficiary name you wish to add to the new account.

You can also add and delete new beneficiaries through the Manage Beneficiaries tool in Digital Banking, use authenticated Chat through Digital Banking, call us at 888.723.7328, or schedule an appointment at our Virtual Branch.

You can visit one of our branch locations to have a new card issued instantly. If your card is lost or stolen, you can log in to Digital Banking to order a new card, grab the card info for online purchases, download the digital version to your wallet, and report your card lost or stolen. Don’t use this service if you need rushed delivery, are shipping to an alternate address, or you’re simply replacing a damaged card and want to keep the same card number.

1. Log in to Card Center in Digital Banking 
2. Click on Replace & Order Card
3. Follow the steps to submit your request and block your card
4. Return to Card Center to add your new card to your digital wallet and grab your card info for online shopping and updating any recurring payments
5. If you see suspicious transactions in your account history, visit Dispute Transactions in Card Center to report them to us

You can also block your card and receive a new one by calling 800.234.5354 (domestic) or 303.967.1096 (international collect).

If you simply need a replacement for a damaged card, please contact a Member Care Team Specialist at 888.723.7328 or send us a secure Message through Digital Banking to request a new card.

Take control of your cards with Card Tools!

Credit and debit cards are often a source of fraud, as retailers frequently experience data breaches and the card information they store becomes available on the black market. Stanford FCU has strong fraud prevention systems to help protect our members, but we also have tools to help you manage your own cards!

Check out the Card Tools that are available in Digital Banking and take control of your cards today!

Yes, your debit card and credit card are accepted internationally AND they have no foreign transaction fees!

If your ATM card is linked to a checking (spending) account, it will also be accepted internationally. If you’re traveling out of state or out of the country, be sure to set a Travel Notice so we don’t block your credit or debit card. List all areas you may be visiting, including layover cities. Once submitted, you should receive a secure Message that it has been received.

If you’re already traveling, please call us at 888.723.7328 for assistance.

We don’t allow card transactions in countries sanctioned by the U.S. or prohibited by U.S. law.

We have other convenient online Card Tools for your debit card, like text alerts, locking and unlocking your card, and more. You’ll be automatically enrolled to receive fraud alerts.

No! You’re a member for life and we don’t want to see you go! You can access your accounts and perform most transactions worldwide 24/7 through Digital Banking or schedule an appointment at our Virtual Branch. We also have over 6,000 shared branch locations with other credit unions, where you can conduct business as if you were at one of our local branches.

International students who are coming to the United States to attend school at Stanford University are welcome! You can open your account online with a few extra steps since our online system doesn’t accept new members with foreign addresses.

Please follow these steps to open your account on our mobile app (App Store | Google Play:

• Enter StanfordIS (Stanford International Student) in the Referred by field in the application
• Enter your Stanford University email address
• Enter Stanford University’s physical address: 450 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305
• Enter the following U.S. phone number so the application will accept you as a member: 650.785.1078
• Upload a copy of your Passport for identification purposes
• Select Stanford student as your eligibility

After you submit your application, please send an email to [email protected] to provide your name, correct international address, phone number and email address so we can update your membership profile with your current contact information.

The services available in Bill Pay include: 

• Set up payees once to easily make payments
• Schedule automatic monthly payments for recurring bills
• View payment history for each payee
• Receive notifications about bills and payments
• Pay bills from your Stanford FCU checking (spending) account
• Pay the balance in full, instead of the minimum payment due
• Make a partial payment (e.g., an extra mortgage payment)
• Payee’s account number required
• Download or export payment data
• Receive and pay eBills

It’s easy to get started:

• Log in to Digital Banking
• Choose Move Money
• Select Bill Pay
• Complete a few more easy steps and you’re enrolled!

Bill Pay is a free service offered to Stanford FCU members through Digital Banking. All you need is a Stanford FCU checking (spending) account.

It’s easy to get started:

1. Log in to Digital Banking
2. Choose Move Money
3. Bill Pay

Follow the prompts.

Follow these steps to cancel a scheduled bill payment:

1. Log in to Digital Banking 
2. Choose Move Money
3. Then Bill Pay
4. Click Activity at the top
5. Select the scheduled payment you want to cancel
6. To finish, select Cancel Payment twice to confirm your request

Note that if a payment doesn’t appear under the Scheduled heading it has already been processed and can’t be canceled.

You can transfer funds between your Stanford FCU accounts, to another Stanford FCU member (if you know the account number), or to and from your accounts at another financial institution. If you want to send money to someone who is not a Stanford FCU member, you can use Zelle^® or send a Wire Transfer.

• Click here to transfer funds between your Stanford FCU accounts 
• Click here to transfer funds to another member
• Click here to transfer funds to and from your accounts at another financial institution
  •  From there you can connect your external account instantly through Plaid
  •  Once the external account is established, it will always appear under the normal Transfer Funds service as an option to transfer to or from