What Can We Help You With?
Frequently asked questions, answered! Browse them all or jump to your topic of interest.
How do I set up my online banking account?
Visit the Digital Banking FAQ & Resource page for instructions on setting up your digital banking account and to learn about the platform's functions and features, such as setting up digital wallets, complete card management, and setting up fraud alerts.
Who owns a credit union?
A credit union is a not-for-profit corporation organized and owned by its member depositors solely for the benefit of its members.
To learn more check out our blog 'Credit Union vs. Bank - Which One is Right for You?'
Where can I find ATMs that won't charge me a fee?
We have surcharge-free ATMs available at all our branches, and we are part of the Allpoint ATM network, which gives you access to 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs! To find the closest one to you, visit our location page and use the search feature to find all the ATMs near you. Notably, most Walgreens, CVS, and Target ATMs are in the Allpoint ATM network.
I need to change my name on my account.
Please visit one of our branches to change your name. Please bring with you your photo ID with the name change.
What does Texas Bay do to help mitigate fraud?
Texas Bay has numerous safeguards in place to protect your accounts and personal information. Texas Bay also works diligently to keep our members aware of the latest scams. We encourage you to visit our Security Center for the latest news and tips to help protect yourself.
Do you offer safe deposit boxes?
Safe deposit boxes are only available at the Fuqua branch.
Annual rental fees:
3x5 = $25
3x10 = $40
5x10 = $60
10x10 = $100
Does Texas Bay offer scholarships?
Yes, Texas Bay Credit Union offers a college scholarship. The Texas Bay Scholarship Program is available to graduating high school seniors who are primary members in good standing with the credit union and will be attending a college, university, or vocational school. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or 4.0 on a 5.0 scale. The application process includes submitting a high school transcript, a letter of recommendation, an academic/extracurricular resume, and a completed essay on the yearly topic. The application window is January - March every year, and you can apply online through our website.
What is the difference between a bank and a credit union?
The main difference is that banks are typically for-profit institutions, while credit unions are not-for-profit and distribute their profits among their members. This allows us to offer lower interest rates on loans and higher dividend rates on your deposits, such as CDs.
To learn more check out our article 'Why More People are Choosing Credit Unions Over Banks'.
How can I join Texas Bay?
Welcome to Texas Bay! We are excited that you are interested in joining Texas Bay for your financial needs. Please visit our Become a Member page to learn more.
Are you FDIC insured?
Texas Bay Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), which is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Your deposit/shares at Texas Bay are insured up to $250,000, an amount equal to the insurance protection offered by the FDIC. Generally, if a credit union member has more than one account in the same insured Credit Union, those accounts are added together and are issued up to $250,000; however, there are exceptions.
Protecting your savings with the highest level of security available is one of Texas Bay Credit Union’s major objectives. That is why we combine your federal deposit insurance coverage with excess deposit insurance protection from Excess Share Insurance (ESI).
In addition to your accounts being covered by the NCUA to a limit of $250,000, ESI provides an additional $250,000 of savings protection to each qualifying account.
I need to change my address.
Address changes can be made in several ways. You can change it through your digital banking account, call us at 713.352.0344, or complete our online Address Change Form.
What to do if you think your account has been compromised.
If your personal account has been compromised, it's important to act quickly. Here are some steps you can take:
1. Report the Fraud: Notify Texas Bay immediately of any suspicious activity. You can report this via our secure chat on our website, by calling us at 713.820.6807, or visiting one of our branches.
1. Report the Fraud: Notify Texas Bay immediately of any suspicious activity. You can report this via our secure chat on our website, by calling us at 713.820.6807, or visiting one of our branches.
2. Secure Your Cards: You can do this by logging into digital banking, selecting "Cards" from the menu, and toggling the on/off option to off for the card/s you suspect have been compromised. If you suspect fraud, scroll down past the card on/off option to "Report Lost or Stolen" and follow the steps to contact us immediately so we can close your card and issue you a new one.
3. Change Your Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts.
3. Change Your Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts.
What career opportunities do you have?
We are excited that you are looking at Texas Bay for your next career opportunity. Please visit our Careers page to see our current list of openings and the benefits of being part of the Texas Bay Team!
How can I redeem my card rewards?
You are able to redeem credit card and debit card rewards by logging into your TBCU digital banking account.
Credit Cards - Select "Cards" in the menu and when viewing your credit card details select "Rewards"
Debit Cards - Select "More" in the menu and select "Debit Card Rewards"
How can I add another cardholder to my credit card?
You can add an authorized user to your credit card two ways. You can complete the online Authorized User Request Form or call us at 713.820.6807.
Can I add my card to Apple or Google Pay?
Yes, both our debit and credit cards are digital wallet capable. You can set your cards up in digital wallet through digital banking. Once you log in, select "Card Management" in the menu; from there, it will walk you through setting your cards up.
If you have any issues accessing your account or activating your card please contact a Texas Bay Credit Union team member at 713.820.6807 or use the chat on our website and select "Transfer to Agent".
The ATM took my debit card.
Please contact us at 713.820.6807 or use the chat on our website and select "Transfer to Agent".
How can I activate my card?
You can activate your card by through our Digital Banking platform. Once you log in to your account, click on "Cards," and within our Card Management portal, you are able to quickly and easily activate your new card.
If you have any issues accessing your account or activating your card please contact a Texas Bay Credit Union team member at 713.820.6807 or use the chat on our website and select "Transfer to Agent".
What are the charges for overseas transactions?
MasterCard charges a Currency Conversion Assessment of .2% of the charge and a Cross-Border assessment of .9% of the charge.
Debit cards will post two separate charges for that one transaction.
My Credit or Debit Card is malfunctioning.
Please contact us at 713.820.6807 or use the chat on our website and select "Transfer to Agent".
Do you offer consolidation loans?
We do offer debt consolidation loans starting at $500. You can apply online or speak to a loan officer about your options; please call the credit union at 713.820.6807 or visit the branch closest to you.
How long do I have to accept a loan offer? Can my rate change?
You have 30 days from your loan approval date to accept the offer. If rates change during the 30 days, the rate presented to you with your loan decision will remain the same as presented through the 30 day offer window.
How do I submit my proof of insurance?
You can submit insurance to www.myinsuranceinfo.com or call 1.800.523.6404.
How do I find my loan payoff amount?
For your current payoff amount, please contact us at 713.820.6807 or use the chat on our website and select "Transfer to Agent".
How can I reach the collections department?
To reach our Collections department, please call 713.820.6807, option 5 or send a text to 832.810.0490.
What documents are needed to apply for a loan?
Every loan is unique and what documentation might be needed for the loan can change depending on the situation. Your loan officer will guide you through the process and will communicate with you what documentation is needed for your loan.
To what address shall I mail my loan payments?
We offer several electronic ways to make a loan payment, but if you wish to mail your payment, please mail it to:
Texas Bay Credit Union
Attn: Loan Payment
12611 Fuqua Street
Houston, TX 77034
Do you offer opportunities to skip a loan payment?
TBCU offers skip payment opportunities on qualified loans twice a year: once in the summer and once during the winter. TBCU will send communications to all members with qualifying loans the month prior of the skip payment opportunity. There is a $25 fee for skipping a payment.
What is the difference between my loan balance and the payoff amount?
The loan payoff amount is generally higher than the current loan balance because it includes the payment of any interest you owe through the day you intend to pay off your loan. The payoff amount may also include other fees you have incurred and have not yet paid.
Does Texas Bay offer home loans in all states?
At this time, Texas Bay Credit Union only originates loans in Texas.
Do you offer Jumbo loans?
Yes, we do offer jumbo loans. For more information about our jumbo loans please call our Mortgage team at 713.852.6888.
What is Mortgage Insurance?
First and foremost, Mortgage Insurance is not the same as Homeowner’s Insurance. While Homeowner’s Insurance protects your home from natural disasters, Mortgage insurance is protection for the lender in case of loan default. If you put anything less than 20% down on a conventional loan, you will be required to have Mortgage Insurance. Once you reach 20% equity in your home, you can request to have the Mortgage Insurance removed. At 22% equity, the Mortgage Insurance is automatically removed
What fees are assessed in mortgage closings?
There are a number of fees you pay for a mortgage, including (but not limited to): credit report, appraisal, title policy, survey, etc. For more information please call our Mortgage Team at 713.852.6888.
Can I make additional payments to my mortgage principal amount?
If you would like to make additional payments toward your mortgage, you can certainly do that. Texas Bay Credit Union does not carry prepayment penalties on any mortgage products. For any questions on your mortgage payments please call our Mortgage Team at 713.852.6888.
Can I cancel some or part of my mortgage escrow?
You can cancel or change your mortgage escrow but only if your loan-to-value ratio is 80% or less, your payments are in good standing, and your escrow balance is currently positive.
Do you offer VA or FHA home loans?
Through our partners we do offer VA and FHA loans. For more information on our mortgage loans please call our Mortgage Team at 713.852.6888.
How do I find out the status of my home loan application?
You can check your home loan application status online by visiting the webpage below. If you have an urgent question regarding your application, please call our Mortgage Team at 713.852.6888 or text them at 832.810.0588.
What are Mortgage closing costs?
Mortgage closing costs are what you pay for the lender and other service providers to work on your mortgage. For more information on closing costs please reach out to our Mortgage Team at 713.852.6888.
Are there fees for refinancing my home loan?
There are fees associated with refinancing a home loan, such as standard lender fees and third-party fees. With a refinance, you are able to roll those into the loan amount so the only out-of-pocket cost you will have is the cost of the appraisal.
Why did my mortgage payment change?
Your mortgage payment will only change if you are escrowing for taxes and insurance. As your homeowner's insurance and property taxes change each year for changing values or premiums, your payment will change to account for any shortages or surpluses in your escrow account.
Do you offer mortgage rate modification or extend a term with a rate modification?
At this time, we do not allow for a mortgage modification for an interest rate. If you would like to obtain a lower interest rate, we do offer a no cash-out refinance option.
What perks are included in my checking?
Your Perks Account comes with 8 perks, including deals at local and nationwide merchants and travel deals. You also have access to rewards at the fuel pump, roadside assistance, cell phone protection, personal identity theft aid, and more! To learn more about these and the other perks, please visit our Perks page.
If you are having issues accessing the TBCU Perks app, please get in touch with us at 713.820.6807.
Can I rollover my 401(k) into an IRA?
Yes, you can roll over funds from a 401(k) into either a Roth IRA or a Traditional IRA, depending on your retirement planning strategy and tax considerations. For additional details and to rollover your 401(k), please contact us via our secure chat on our website, by calling us at 713.820.6807, or by visiting one of our branches.
What is the difference between my balance and my available balance?
Your current balance reflects the amount of money in your bank account at any given moment. Your available balance is the amount of money you have available to spend, including any pending payments and deposits. The key difference is that your pending purchases do not appear in the current balance
When will my deposit clear?
Cash deposits are available immediately, while check deposits are case-by-case. If you have questions about a check deposit, please call us at 713.820.6807.
How do I add a joint owner to my account?
Please visit us at any of our branches to add the joint owner to your savings or checking account.
Where can I find the maturity date of my CD?
You can refer to your original CD Agreement for the maturity date or you can contact us at 713.820.6807 for assistance or reply "Transfer to Agent" in our website chat.
What is the early withdrawal penalty on a CD?
Please use this formula to calculate the early withdrawal penalty for your CD. The amount of the CD withdrawal X interest rate divided by 365 X 90 ( for 6-12 month CD)or 180 ( for 18+ month CD).
Do you offer sole proprietorship accounts?
Yes, TBCU offers accounts for Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, LLCs and other business types. Please visit our Business Checking Account page to compare our different business account options.
What accounts do you offer for children?
We have checking and savings accounts for minors, but a guardian must also be a signer on the account. To be issued a debit card the minor must be 13 years or older.
How can I request a cashier's check?
If the cashier's check needs to be made out to a third party, you must come into one of our branches. If the check will be made out to the member requesting it who is also the owner of the account we can accommodate you via phone at 713.820.6807, but the check can only be mailed to the address we have on file for that account.
How do I make deposits in to my child's account?
You can deposit through Zelle, or account transfers in the digital banking app, or in person at a branch.
Why is there a hold on my check and deposit?
All checks are subject to be placed on hold for various reasons. Please call us at 713.820.6807 to see if we can release the hold.
What is the maximum limit for Overdraft Protection?
Overdraft limits are dependent on your account and deposit history. To find out more about your overdraft limit please call us at 713.820.6807 or reply "Transfer to Agent" in our website chat.
How do I close my Certificate of Deposit (CD)?
This request can be done at any branch location, or by calling us at 713.852.700 or you can request online through secure messaging within digital banking.
What happens if my balance falls below the minimum on my Money Market Account?
If your money market balance falls below the minimum balance of $500, you may not be able to take advantage of the higher interest-earning benefits and other features associated with the account. It's important to maintain at least the $500 minimum balance to continue enjoying these benefits.
Should your account fall below, you can transfer money from another account into your Bonus Money Fund account through your digital banking app. If you need further assistance, please call 713.820.6807.