Online Banking Frequently Asked Questions

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Welcome to Valley Bank’s Online Banking. This page provides answers to Frequently Asked Questions. If your question does not appear here you may:

• Visit our Online Education Center
• Click on the “Help” button located at the top of the page when you log in to Online Banking. (Please disregard the Bill Payment and Documents sections. They do not apply to our product.)
• Contact Us.
• Call our customer support line at (253)770-7680, 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Thursday, 9:00am to 6:00pm Friday

How secure is Online Banking?
Is there a fee for Online Banking?
How do I enroll for Valley Bank’s Online Banking?
Which numbers are my account number?
How do I use Online Banking?
If I transfer money online, when is it posted to my account?
How do I transfer funds between accounts?
I’m having trouble logging in to Online Banking. What’s wrong?
How do I change my password?
I want to sign up for Bill Pay but I didn’t see the Bill Pay button when I first logged in to Online Banking.
Can I import my account activity to my Accounting software?
How do I re-order checks online?


How secure is Online Banking?

Valley Bank understands how important security is to our Online Banking customers. We cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality of data transmitted over the Internet; however, we encrypt all data transmissions between your computer and our data center using the strongest SSL (Secure Socket Layer) protocols available in the industry. To provide you with a high level of security we recommend you use a Web Browser that supports 128-bit encryption such as Microsoft® Internet Explorer version 6.0 or higher or Netscape Navigator® version 6.2 or higher.

Upgrading to the newest browser version is free and easy. Visit the appropriate Web site below.

For Microsoft Internet Explorer: CLICK HERE

For Netscape Navigator: CLICK HERE

For AOL: CLICK HERE

Maintaining security also involves you. Although our password requirement is a minimum of six characters, consider creating a password with eight or more, a combination of uppercase, lowercase, numeric and special characters. Below are some guidelines for creating a secure password.


Things NOT to do:

1. Don’t choose words that can be found in any dictionary, whether English or any language (hackers use password dictionaries).
2. Don’t reverse the spelling of a dictionary word.
3. Don’t choose a name associated with you in any way (middle initial, wife’s maiden name, pet’s name, child’s name, your favorite team’s name, films, etc.)
4. Don’t use biological terms.

Things to do:

• Use an acronym from an easy to remember phrase. !A stitch in time saves nine! can translate to !ASITS9!
• Make your password at least 8 characters long.
• Use a mixture of letters, numbers and special characters. Example: *JaFe90+

You must protect your password. Valley Bank will never need to know your password and you should never furnish it to anyone, including someone who claims to represent Valley Bank. If you think someone else may know your Online Banking access ID and password, contact us immediately. It’s a good idea to change your password regularly. This you can do by logging in to Online Banking and selecting "Change Password" from the "Change Options" button located at the top of the screen.

Always log off at the end of your online banking session.

Keeping your computer protected is important too.

• Install anti-virus software to protect against viruses, Trojan horses and worms. Perform regular scans of your computer and check for anti-virus updates.
• Make sure your firewall is updated and enabled.
• Download the latest updates for your computer and software which may include important security patches. If possible, select the automatic update option.
• Use spy-ware software to identify and delete unknown code on your personal computer that may monitor and collect your keystrokes and send personal information unknowingly to third parties.
• Secure Web sites will have an icon of a lock or key in the lower left or right corner of the screen. Never enter personal, private or financial data onto a Web site that does not have the lock or key icon displayed.

Finally, beware of “phishing”. Phishing is an Email scam that thieves are using to “fish” for your personal financial information. The Email will look like it comes from a reputable company that you recognize and contains a button or link to click on that supposedly takes you to the company’s Web site. There you will be asked for personal information such as social security number, account numbers, password. If you provide it, you may become the next victim of identity theft. The best advice is, if you did not initiate the communication, do not provide the information. Most companies or institutions you do business will not need to update or ask for your information. They already have it.

Click here to read a brochure from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency about phishing.

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Is there a fee for Online Banking?

No, Online Banking is free for consumers.

There are fees associated with Valley Bank’s business online banking product, Cash Manager. If you would like more information about Cash Manager, please call (253)770-7680.

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How do I enroll for Valley Bank’s Online Banking?

From our Web site at vbwa.com, in the upper left hand corner, click on “First Time User”. You will be led to the Online Banking Disclosure and Agreement. If you accept the agreement, the next screen will ask for your Access ID and Password. The Access ID will be your account number. It may be a checking, savings, certificate of deposit, or loan number. If you have chosen an account number other than checking, you must change the Account Type from the drop down box. Enter your TeleBanc (automated telephone banking) Personal Identification Number (PIN) for password. If you do not know your PIN, please contact an account service representative at your branch.

You will then be taken to a screen to change your Access ID and Password. If you want to use your account number for Access ID, re-enter the number. If you want to change your Access ID, you may select letters or numbers or a combination of both, but it must contain at least 6 (six) characters. Your Password must be changed. The new Password must contain at least 1 (one) alpha and 1 (one) numeric character and have a minimum of 6 (six) characters. Both Access ID and Password are case sensitive.

Once you have enrolled for Online Banking, the next time you log in you will only need to enter your Access ID and Password in the upper left hand corner of the website.

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Which numbers are my account number?

You can find your account number on the bottom of your checks. This series of numbers is called the MICR line. The first set of numbers consisting of nine digits is the bank’s routing/transit number. Valley Bank’s routing and transit number is 125106708. The second set of numbers is your account number. It is a ten digit number. The final set of numbers is your check number.


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How do I use Online Banking?

After you login to Online Banking, you will be shown a list of your accounts and the balance in each account. If you want more detail or want to initiate a transaction, just click the account number of the account you would like to access.

At the top of the next screen you will see two rows of buttons. By scrolling over the buttons you can see what options are available to you.

You can click on the “Help” button at any time for more information, the Online Banking User Guide, or Contact Us.
When you have completed your Online Banking session, we recommend that you click the "Log Off" button to terminate your session. However, if you forget to log off, the system will terminate your session after a few minutes of inactivity. If you wish to continue your banking session, just return to the Login area in the upper left hand corner of the Web site and login again. As an additional security precaution, we recommend that you close your browser after your Online Banking session and clear your browser's history occasionally.

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If I transfer money online, when is it posted to my account?

When you transfer money online between your Valley Bank accounts, the transaction is “memo-posted” on your account and reflects the new balance immediately. The transaction will be “hard posted” to your account after 4 PM Pacific Time. Transfers made after 4 PM Pacific Time will be “hard-posted” to your account on the next business day. In other words, until your transaction is “hard-posted” to your account, the transaction will be reflected in the “Current Business Day” Transactions rather than the “Current Statement” Transactions.

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How do I transfer funds between accounts?

There are two different funds transfer options:
 

To set up an Express Transfer:
Log in to Online Banking and click on the account number from which you wish to transfer funds. Click on the Express Transfer button from the row of buttons at the top of the screen. Verify the “Transfer From” account number. (If you want you can select a different account number from the drop down box.) Verify the “Transfer to Deposits” account. (If you have the option, you can select a different account number from the drop down box.) Fill in the “Transfer Amount” and click “Next”. Preview your transfer and “Submit” to complete, ”Cancel” or “Back” to make changes or cancel. Review your new account balances to confirm the transfer.

To set up a New Scheduled Transfer:
Log in to Online Banking and click on the account number from which you wish to transfer funds. Select “New Scheduled Transfer” from the “Funds Transfer” button in the row of buttons at the top of the screen. Verify the “From” account number. (If you want to change the account you want the funds transferred from, go to the “Accounts” button at the top of the screen and select the account you want, then reselect the “New Scheduled Transfer” button.) From the drop down box choose the account you want the funds transferred into. From the drop down box choose the frequency of the transfer. Enter the amount you wish to transfer and click submit. There is no preview option and you will receive a confirmation. You can also review your “Transfer List” from the “Funds Transfer” button to confirm the transfer and you can also delete the transfer from the “Transfer List” option. Remember, your balances will not reflect this transfer until the next business day.

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I’m having trouble logging in to Online Banking. What’s wrong?

If this is your first time logging in, click here. If not, be sure you are typing your Access ID and password using the correct case and with no spaces. If it doesn’t work on the second try please call. We can reset your password or help you get back online while you are on the phone with us. Our Online Banking customer support number is (253)770-7680. Support is available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time Monday through Thursday and Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Pacific Time.

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How do I change my password?

After you log in to online banking, select “Change Password” from the “Change Options” button located at the top of the screen. Enter your current password and then your new one twice. Remember to enter 6 to 12 characters, including at least 1 alpha and 1 numeric character. Access ID's and passwords are case sensitive. Click “Submit”. You will get a confirmation your password has been changed.

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I want to sign up for Bill Pay but I didn’t see the Bill Pay button when I first logged in to Online Banking.

The Bill Pay button will not appear on your first time log in. If you log off and immediately log back in again, the button will appear and you can proceed to enroll for Bill Pay. Click here for Bill Pay Frequently Asked Questions.

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Can I import my account activity to my Accounting software?

Yes, we support Microsoft® Money and 2005 and newer versions of Quicken® and Quickbooks® software. Log in to Online Banking from our website or connect to our website through your accounting software to log in, click the account number of the account from which you want to download activity and from the “Transactions” button at the top of the screen, select “Transactions Export”. Select the items to be exported, and then select the Export Format from the drop-down list box. Then click the "Export" button to complete the process.

Export Format Types:

• Comma Separated File (.CSV) Opens in an Excel spreadsheet.
• Intuit Quicken 2004 (.QIF)* Save to a file and import into Quicken.
• Microsoft Money (.OFX)
• Intuit Quickbooks 2004 (.IIF) * Save to a file and import into Quickbooks.
• Intuit Quicken 2005 and later versions (.QFX)*
• Intuit Quickbooks 2005 and later versions (.QBO)*

Or, select “Transactions Menu” from the “Transactions” button and in the Transaction Search box click the "Display" button to display a complete list of transactions. Select the "Export" check box for each item to be exported. If the check box in the title bar is selected, all displayed items are automatically selected for export. If the check box is then deselected, all displayed items will be deselected for export. Select the appropriate file format type, and the export process will be completed automatically.


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How do I re-order checks online?

On the Bank’s Web site, at the bottom of the homepage there is a button that says “Re-Order your checks Online”. Clicking on that button will link you to Harland, our check company. Make sure you select “Personal” or “Business”. You will need to enter the bank’s routing/transit number which is 125106708, and your account number to proceed. If you need to make any changes on your checks, you should order them through your branch rather than online.

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