How to set up online banking

There’s more to online banking than you might think! We’ll show you how to set it up and uncover some lesser-known capabilities of digital and mobile banking to help you manage your money like a pro with the tap of your finger.

We do everything online, from reading the news, grocery shopping, dating and paying bills. Why should banking be any different? Thanks to the rise of online and mobile banking, you can manage your money digitally without ever leaving your comfy couch.

Follow these 10 easy steps get set up with online banking at Desert Financial:

1. From our home page, click on “Sign In”.
2. You will be redirected to our online banking portal, from there click on “Register” and then “Register my individual account”.
3. Read and accept the prompted disclosures.
4. Provide information to confirm your identity.
5. Choose a username.
6. Choose to receive your temporary password by email or text.
7. Enter the temporary password to authenticate your identity.
8. Create a new password and confirm it.
9. Confirm your contact information.
10. Get started with online banking!

You might be surprised to learn that credit union technologies are just as good, or better, than many of the traditional banking apps out there. Beyond just checking balances, transferring money and reviewing transactions, here are some unique things you can do within Desert Financial’s online and mobile banking:

View your balance quickly

Sometimes you just want to quickly see your checking and savings account balances at a glance. No pulling up your password vault or validating your identity by clicking the squares with traffic lights (does a train signal count as a traffic light???). After you download Desert Financial’s  mobile app  and successfully sign in, you have the option to enable the Snapshot feature to view account balances at a glance without having to log in. For your protection however, you would be prompted to fully log in to view any account details like your transaction history and to preform transactions such as transferring money or paying bills.

Pay your bills

No one likes paying bills. It’s a lot more enjoyable when you don’t have to think about them — which, for most people, means setting up automatic payments. Desert Financial’s Bill Pay system allows account holders to set up one-time or recurring payments for utilities, credit cards, insurance, tuition, and much more. All you need to do is log in to Online Banking, click Bill Pay, and follow the prompts to set up a new payee by entering information such as the company name , account details and address of where the payment will be sent, and choose whether to make a single payment or set up a recurring payment through Autopay. You’ll even have the option to set up monthly payment reminders to ensure you never miss a payment!

Make person-to-person payments

You can also make peer-to-peer (P2P) payments from within Desert Financial’s Online Banking and Mobile App. To do that, follow the directions for Bill Pay above and add a person’s name, rather than a company. If the person you’re sending money to is a Desert Financial member, you can transfer funds directly into their account by choosing Transfer and Classic. Click on “Transfer to another Desert Financial Credit Union member” and enter the recipient’s information.

Apply for new accounts or loans

When you need to open a new bank account or apply for a loan, you don’t have to visit a branch. Here at Desert Financial, members have the ability to apply virtually from within Online banking, without leaving home! To apply for a new Desert Financial account or loan, simply log in to your online banking and click Apply for a Loan or Account (located under the “My Account” menu option and follow the prompts to apply! Be sure to have the following information handy:

• Driver’s License or Government Issued ID
• Social Security Number
• Phone Number and Email Address
• Date of Birth

Once you complete and submit your application, we will send you confirmation of your new account by email, along with a series of onboarding guides to help you get started.

Track your savings goals

One of the major differences between a credit union and a bank is that credit unions are focused on helping you achieve your financial goals — no matter what they are. We’re also big on encouraging smart money decisions, like saving up for a big purchase first instead of putting it all on credit now. Have a Desert Financial account? Then you can set your own savings goals just by clicking on “Spending & Savings” under the “My Tools” section in Online Banking (you can also find “My Tools” under after clicking “More” in the mobile app! Hit the New Goal button and enter a dollar amount and a date you’re aiming for.

Whether you’re an online banking pro or you’ve recently left the in-person banking nest, there’s more to digital money management than you think. With Desert Financial’s Online Banking and mobile app at your fingertips, you can control your cash wherever and whenever you want!