Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to Home Federal Bank's Frequently Asked Questions section. We developed this section to help you with any problems you might have. Please call or contact us with any questions not addressed below.

• Bank Products & Services
• Online Banking
• Online Bill Payment
• Security

Are Home Federal Bank deposit accounts FDIC insured?

Yes! All deposit accounts at Home Federal Bank are insured by the FDIC up to $100,000.

Can I get information about my account by phone?

Yes! Home Federal Bank has two ways of serving you by phone. By calling 1-800-244-2149 Monday-Friday, 7:30am-7:00pm CT, and 8:00am-Noon on Saturday, you can speak with an In-Touch Banker who will be happy to review your account with you and answer your questions. Also, after hours or during banking hours by request, you can use our automated voice response banking system at 1-800-244-2149.

Can businesses apply for a Home Federal Bank account online?

At this time, Home Federal Bank does not currently offer online account applications for businesses. However, we do have a full line of business deposit and loan products.

Can I open an account if I don't live in the US? What about if I live in the US but am not a citizen yet?

At this time we only accept applications from persons residing within the United States with valid US tax identification numbers.

Can I do all of my banking with Home Federal Bank?

Yes! Thanks to the convenience of Direct Deposit, ATMs, and the Visa CheckCard, everyday banking activities can be performed from the comfort of home.

Are wire transfers possible to and from my Home Federal checking account?

Yes! Funds can be transferred to and from Home Federal accounts by wire transfer or via ACH (Automated Clearing House) debits or credits.

How do I make a deposit to my account from a remote location?

You can do most of your banking by using direct deposit, ATMs, or ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions. Home Federal also offers a bank-by-mail service which allows you to mail deposits. Contact us for details on a method that's best for you. You may also call our automated 24-Hour In-Touch Banking Center at 800-244-2149.

How do I sign up for Online Banking?

You may complete an application by stopping at any of our branch locations, or you may call our In-Touch Banking Center at 800-244-2149 or complete an Online Banking application on our web site. You can find that application in our Products and Services section under Online Banking. Just click on Apply NOW.

Once your request is received, we will enable your accounts for access. You will receive your sign on information (UserCode and Temporary Password) in the mail within a few days.

Can I view a demonstration of Online Banking before I sign up?

We have an Online Banking Demo available for you to review. Click here to view our Online Banking Demo.

How do I access Online Banking?

After your accounts have been enabled, simply click on the Online Banking button on our web site and then click on Access Your Online Banking Account. The next screen that appears will be the sign on screen where you will enter your UserCode and Password. You may also sign into Online Banking directly from our Home Page. When you log in the first time, you will be prompted to enter a new UserCode and Password.

How frequently is my account information updated?

Home Federal processes deposits and withdrawals to your account throughout the day. The information you view through Online Banking is current whenever you log in. The Current Day Activity will show you the transactions up to the point when you logged in that are being presented on your account the current business day.

Can I transfer funds through Online Banking?

Funds transfer is one of the main features of Online Banking. You could be anywhere in the world and if you have access to the Internet, you can access your account information and transfer funds. Funds can be transferred between your Home Federal checking and savings accounts. You may perform On Demand transfers as well as set up recurring transfers that will automatically be processed based on the criteria you select.

Could I make a payment to my Checking Reserve or Loan?

Yes. Pay down your Checking Reserve or make your Home Federal loan payment simply by performing a transfer from your Home Federal checking or savings account to your reserve or loan account.

Can I look at my transactions at any time?

This is the best benefit of Online Banking. You may access your account information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week -- anywhere in the world that you have Internet access.

Do you offer Bill Payment services through Online Banking?

Yes. Bill Payment services can be added to your Online Banking access. You may sign up for Bill Payment at the same time you sign up for Online Banking. Or, if you wish, you can use Online Banking until you become comfortable with it and then add on Bill Payment later. We have an Online Banking PLUS Bill Payment application available on our web site in the Products and Services Section, or you may sign up at any of our Branch locations.

Is there is fee for Online Banking or Online Banking PLUS Bill Payment?

Online Banking is a service that we provide to our valued customers at no charge. Bill Payment is an add-on service to Online Banking for which there is an ongoing charge. For the nominal monthly fee of $5.95 you can initiate payment of 0-19 bills. Payments 20 and over are charged at a rate of $.50 each per month. For added convenience, the monthly fee is automatically deducted from your Home Federal checking account.

We want you to try Bill Payment because we believe you will enjoy the convenience -- along with saving money on envelopes and postage, and reducing the amount of time it takes you to pay your bills each month. As an incentive to try Bill Payment, we are offering the first three months FREE of charge. Sign up today and begin realizing how painless paying your bills can be.

Can I sign up for Online Banking without Bill Payment?

Yes. We offer Bill Payment as an additional service that you can add on to Online Banking. You may sign up for Bill Payment at the same time you sign up for Online Banking. Or, if you wish, you can use Online Banking until you become comfortable with it and then add on Bill Payment later. We have an Online Banking PLUS Bill Payment application available on our web site in the Products and Services Section, or you may sign up at any of our Branch locations.

Is there a fee for Online Banking PLUS Bill Payment?

Online Banking is a service that we provide to our valued customers at no charge, however, there is a charge for adding on Bill Payment. For the nominal monthly fee of $5.95 you can pay 0-19 bills. Payments 20 and over are charged at a rate of $.50 each per month. For added convenience, the monthly fee is automatically deducted from your Home Federal checking account. The $5.95 monthly fee is debited from your account even if you do not initiate any payments that calendar month.

We want you to try Bill Payment because we believe you will enjoy the convenience -- along with saving money on envelopes and postage, and reducing the amount of time it takes you to pay your bills each month. We are offering Bill Payment for the first three months FREE of charge. Sign up today to begin realizing how painless paying your bills can be.

Is there a Bill Payment Demo online that I can try before I sign up?

Yes. Bill Payment is included in our Online Banking Demo, which you can review in our Online Banking section by clicking on Online Banking Demo. We are offering the first three months of Bill Payment FREE. Therefore, you can sign up for Bill Payment and use it for three months at no cost. If you like Bill Payment, you don't need to do anything. The service will continue and you will be charged the monthly fee at the end of the 4th month. If you don't like Bill Payment, just stop at any branch office, call 605-333-7620 (Sioux Falls calling area) or 800-244-2149 or email us at info@homefederal.com and we will cancel the service.

Is it easy to get started with Online Banking Bill Payment?

Setting up your bill payments is quick and easy to do. When you are ready to pay your bill for the first time through bill payment, just select New Scheduled Payment and enter the required information - payee name, payment address, and phone number. Then enter the payment amount and the date your want us to process that payment. If you are setting up an On Demand payment, leave the Number of Payments field blank. If it is a recurring payment, enter the frequency of the payment and the number of times you want us to process that recurring payment (i.e.: monthly, 12 times or 12 months). Click submit and your payment setup is done. To review the payments you set up, just click on Payment List.

Who can I pay with Bill Payment?

You may pay any individual, family member, friend, or any merchant, business or organization. The only bills you cannot pay with Bill Payment are those to the government taxing authorities or court directed payments, such as alimony or child support.

Should the payment date I specify be the date that the payment is actually due?

No. You should allow at least 5 business days for the payment to reach the individual or business that you are paying. When you are paying the bill, you must enter a date that is 5 business days prior to the actual due date of the bill. Remember, too, that payments can be entered and scheduled for any date; however, payments are only sent out to payees on business days (holidays excluded).

Why do I have to schedule payments five days prior to the actual payment due date?

We will remit your payment by check sent through the US mail. Once the payee receives the payment, it may take another day or so for the payment to be processed and posted to your account. By scheduling the payment 5 days prior to the actual due date, your payment should be delivered and posted on time.

When are the funds for the payment actually taken out of my account?

Your account will be debited for the amount of each payment on the Payment Date.

What happens if I do not have enough funds in my account to cover the Bill Payment?

If you do not have sufficient funds in your account on the Payment Date, the payment will not be processed until there are sufficient funds in your account to cover that payment.

What is the difference between an on demand payment and a recurring payment?

An on demand payment is a one-time payment. This should be used for bills and invoices that fluctuate each time, such as a phone bill. A recurring payment is one that you make on a regular basis that is for a fixed amount and on a fixed schedule, such as a loan payment which is due monthly. Recurring payments only need to be set up once and then the payment will be made automatically based on the frequency you selected.

How close to the payment date can I change or cancel the payment?

You may change or cancel a payment up to Noon Central Time on the payment date.

If I have a payment coupon, do I need to send that to the payee?

There is no need for you to send the payment coupon. All the information the payee needs to process your payment will be included on the payment we process for you.

What do I need to do to prove that the payee did not receive a payment?

If one of the payments you initiated is not received and posted to your account by the payee, just contact us and we will assist you. We will issue an immediate provisional credit to your checking account until the payment is found. To initiate a missing payment report, you may call our In-Touch Banking Center at 605-333-7620 (Sioux Falls area) or 800-244-2149, or write to:

Home Federal Bank
Attn: Online Banking
PO Box 5000
Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5000

How do I pay the monthly Bill Payment fee?

The monthly fee for Bill Payment is automatically deducted from the Home Federal account that you designated. It will be deducted at the end of each calendar month for the bill payment activity for that month.

When I use Bill Payment to pay a bill, is it necessary for me to contact that payee and let them know?

No. It is not necessary for you to let the payee know that you are making the payment through a Bill Payment system.

How many payees can I set up?

There is no limit to the number of payees you may set up.

If I no longer want Bill Payment, how can I cancel it?

We are confident that once you have tried Bill Payment, you will want to continue using it. If, however, you are not satisfied, notify us by calling our In-Touch Banking Center at 605-333-7620 (Sioux Falls area) or 800-244-2149. You may also stop in at any Branch location or send your request in writing to:

Home Federal Bank
Attn: Online Banking
PO Box 5000
Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5000

The security of your account information and financial data is of utmost importance. We believe no bank goes to greater lengths to protect your transactions. With data encryption to ensure identification and authentication of individuals and privacy and integrity of information passed between the bank and customers. With firewalls and filtering routers that limit access to the system. And, with a trusted operating system, which further guards your transactions once inside our system.

I'm still hesitant about banking online. Can other people see my account information?

Your account information is at least, if not more, secure than it is at your physical brick and mortar bank. We've taken every step possible to be sure our system meets the latest security standards, including using the latest security encryption methods and software.

What about filling applications out online? How secure is that?

Filling out applications online is no less secure than the Online Banking System. Your entire session, starting when you open an application page, all the way until you are finished submitting your application, is encrypted. Our system supports 128-bit encryption, so you can also use the latest browser from Netscape or Microsoft that supports this level. In fact, the highest encryption Netscape and Microsoft browsers support is 128-bit, so you will be using the highest bit encryption currently available if you use a 128-bit encryption capable browser.

I keep hearing a lot about encryption? What exactly is it, and why does it make everything more secure?

Encryption is basically a way to rewrite something in a code, which can then be decoded later with the right key. The encryption we use employs a mathematical process for the key which is made up of a certain number of bits (hence, 128-bit encryption). The higher the number of bits, the better the encryption. While on our Online Banking System, all communication from you to the system, and from the system to you, is encrypted using a maximum of 128 bits. In other words, when you send information to our system, your browser encrypts it using a 128-bit key, then sends it to our system. Our system then decodes the information you sent it using the key (which is predetermined when your Online Banking session is started) and processes it.