We've compiled a list of answers to our members' most frequently asked questions. From GOLD Digital Banking to routing numbers, we've got you covered. Click on a topic below to view our answer.

Security

If you feel you have been a victim of identify theft call us at 484-223-4200 immediately.

GOLD will never request your personal or financial account information via text message or email. Should we notice suspicious activity with your GOLD Debit or Credit Card, we will call you directly. Similarly, if you believe your account has been compromised or you receive a call, text, or email claiming you are a victim of fraud, please call us at 484-223-4200.

The most secure methods for contact GOLD Credit Union include calling us directly at 484-223-4200 and sending us a secure message via your Message Center within GOLD Digital Banking.

Never send your personal or financial account information via text message or email, as these methods are not secure.

Yes, GOLD Digital Banking features are safe and secure to use. We employ several layers of protection to prevent breaches. These include session encryption through your browser, firewall systems, and stringent internal protocols.

Membership

A Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative created by and for its members.

Like a bank, credit unions offer a variety of financial products such as savings accounts, checking accounts and loans. Unlike a bank, credit unions aren't focused on profits so any income generated can go back to members to provide competitive interest rates, low fees, and impeccable service.

There are various ways to be eligible to join GOLD Credit Union. Membership is open through company and association partnerships or the location you live, work, study or worship. See whether you’re eligible to join GOLD Credit Union.

Complete our easy online process and become a member in just a few minutes. We’re excited to welcome you to the GOLD Credit Union family!

We have two branches located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. You can also bank with us 24/7 with our Online Banking tools.

Our General Office in downtown Allentown is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Our Lehigh Division on Hamilton Blvd. is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please keep our Holiday Schedule in mind before planning your visit.

If you are interested in offering GOLD as a benefit for your employees, please contact our Community Growth Director, Julie Huber, at 484-233-4232 or JHuber@GOLDcu.org.

No! We’re committed to being your lifelong financial partner. Once you become a member, you’ll always keep your membership.

Accounts

Yes. All GOLD accounts are federally insured up to at least $250,000 by the National Credit Union Association.

There is no monthly fee for being a member. In fact, we do our best to eliminate every fee possible! Those that do exist are generally for overdrafts, bad checks, or replacing your cards. For a full list, please refer to our detailed, transparent fee schedule.

Yes. Members may set up a link between their Checking Account and Savings Account to cover overdrafts. They may also use a Personal Line of Credit as overdraft protection.

You can visit one of our branches or one of more than 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs to withdraw cash.

You can complete other transactions (e.g., transferring funds, paying bills) online, by writing a check, or by using your GOLD Debit or Credit Card to make purchases in-store.

It depends. If you deposit cash or a check for less than $500, your funds are available immediately or within one business day, depending on the time of deposit. This is our standard for direct deposits as well. For larger deposits or other exceptions, you may notice a deposit hold for up to 10 business days.

Regulation D, or Reg D, is a regulation of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. It limits the number of pre-authorized withdrawals and transfers from a Savings Account or Money Market Account to six per month. Savings Accounts and Money Market Accounts are considered non-transaction accounts, in that they’re not designed for managing daily finances.

Existing GOLD members can open additional accounts online.

Please visit one of our branches and bring documentation reflecting your name change (e.g., marriage license). One of our Member Service Representatives will walk you through the account changes.

You can change your contact information online or in person.

  • Online: Log into GOLD Digital Banking with your credentials. Then tap on your user profile icon and click "Settings." Click the "Edit" buttons next to your email, phone number, or address (please note, address updates will be reviewed by a Member Service Representative, and you may be contacted for additional information). Next, you'll be asked to verify your password where you'll be able to edit your contact information. Once you're finished, click "Save." 

  • In-person: Visit one of our branches, and one of our Member Service Representatives will process your request.

No, we do not offer estate accounts at this time.

You cannot add a beneficiary to your account at this time.

You have several options should you wish to close your account. First, transfer any existing balance to another account or institution. Then, you can request your account be closed by sending us a secure message online or visiting a branch location.

GOLD Digital Banking

Get all the information about Digital Banking, including in-depth FAQs here.

GOLD App

Download the GOLD CU App in the iOS App Store or on Google Play. Get all the information about Digital Banking, including in-depth FAQs here.

Direct Deposit

GOLD Credit Union’s Routing Number is 231379131. You’ll see this reflected on your checks if you look for the nine-digit number in the bottom-left corner. This is also called an American Bankers Association — or ABA — number.

Your Transit Number is also a nine-digit number used to set up automatic debits for payroll direct deposits. It reflects the electronic processing center for your account. It’s generally the same as your Routing Number, but, if different, it’ll be labeled as ACH R/T on the check.

To enroll in direct deposit with your employer, talk to your Human Resources or Payroll department. You’ll be asked to complete a form, and you'll need to know your GOLD routing number (231379131) and checking/savings account number. Not positive what your account number is? Give us a call at 484-223-4200 or send a secure message through your GOLD Digital Banking

Debit and Credit Cards

All GOLD Debit and Credit Cards are embedded with an EMV chip. This adds another layer of security to reduce in-store fraud. Specifically, your chip generates a one-time-use code whenever you use your card at a chip-activated terminal, making it virtually impossible to counterfeit.

Your PIN, or personal identification number, is used to verify your authority to use the card in question. You’ll use your PIN at ATMs and at payment terminals without chip technology.

When your card arrives in the mail, you'll call the phone number listed to activate your new card and choose the PIN you want to use. 

You can instantly change the PIN for your debit or credit card by calling 1-800-290-7893. Have your card with you when you call; you'll need to confirm your 16-digit card number, the 3-digit verification number on the back of the card, and the expiration date. You'll also be asked to enter the last 4 digits of your social security number to confirm your identity.

GOLD Credit Union offers you access to more than 55,000 ATMs worldwide, many of which are surcharge-free. You can find the ATMs nearest you by searching the Allpoint and CU$ networks.

If your card is lost or stolen, call us right away at 484-223-4200. We'll freeze the card and order you a replacement. If you're calling outside of normal business hours, just press 1 after the voicemail begins to be transferred to our 24/7 fraud center. 

If you see a charge you didn’t authorize, you can do the following:

  1. Contact the merchant to try to correct the charge. Be sure to note the representative you spoke with and the conversation details.
  2. If the merchant will not correct the error, you may file a dispute through GOLD, and we’ll forward your complaint to VISA.

If you’re about to make an unusually large purchase compared with your normal transactions, we encourage you to alert GOLD Credit Union in advance by calling 484-223-4200. Otherwise, if a charge is deemed suspicious, it may be flagged as fraudulent.

We also encourage you to evaluate your credit situation prior to making large purchases. If you’re remodeling your home or financing a vacation, using a Personal Loan or Line of Credit or Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit may be a better route than using your Debit or Credit Card.

We encourage you to alert GOLD Credit Union about your travel plans. You can do this through your GOLD Digital Banking. You may also call us at 484-223-4200 during business hours.

Loans

You can get pre-approved by applying online today! Once you choose your vehicle, you’ll just need to call us to finalize the loan amount. Doing so gives you more negotiating power at the dealership. First, you’re protected from dealership financing markups. Second, you’re considered, essentially, a “cash buyer,” making for a more straight-forward purchase.

Yes, but you can become a member and apply for a loan at the same time. Fill out the member application first, then go ahead and apply for the loan you want. We'll take it from there. 

You can apply for a loan online in just minutes. If you’d like assistance evaluating your loan options, we encourage you to call our Loan Department at 484-223-4216 for a free quote. Of course, we welcome you to stop by one of our branch locations as well.

Our Loan Department reviews each loan application individually — no robots here! We consider several factors when evaluating your application, including your credit score, credit history, and debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. For a new home or vehicle loan, your down payment will also be considered.

There are three nationwide credit-reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — through which consumers can request a free annual credit report. GOLD Credit Union uses Experian’s reporting data for our loan decisions.

Your credit score is a measurement of your credit-worthiness and is built on your credit history using an algorithm. You can find your credit score on your credit report.

It depends on which type of loan you’re applying for. For non-real estate loans, you’ll likely receive your decision in a matter of hours. For real estate loans, we must wait until we receive your appraisal, search, and flood reports, which can take a few days.

You can view the status of your loan application by logging into GOLD Credit Union's online processing system. You may also call our Loan Department at 484-223-4216.

Home Equity Loans & Lines

A fixed-rate loan has an interest rate that will not change over the life of the loan. GOLD Home Equity Loans typically have a fixed rate. With a variable rate, your interest rate is tied to an index, namely the Prime Rate as published in The Wall Street Journal, meaning it can change over time. GOLD Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) typically have a variable rate.

No. At GOLD Credit Union, we only offer Home Equity Loans and HELOCs on primary residences. It must be an owner-occupied, one-to-four family dwelling.

No. There are many ways to put your loan or line of credit to use. Many of our members use theirs to make home improvements, consolidate debt, and pay college tuition.

Your draw period is the fixed length of time during which you can access funds from your HELOC. Our HELOCs have a 120-month draw period.

Your repayment period begins when your draw period ends. Our HELOCs have a 180-month repayment period.

Mortgages

When you apply with us, we’ll ask you questions about the home and your finances – it should take less than 15 minutes to complete. When you’ve finished the application, we’ll review your request for approval. A Mortgage Consultant will contact you to introduce himself or herself and to answer any questions you may have. Your Mortgage Consultant is a mortgage expert who will provide help and guidance along the way.

If you’re purchasing a new home, the Mortgage Consultant will also contact the Real Estate Broker or the seller so that they’ll know whom to contact with questions. We’ll send you your preliminary mortgage disclosures to sign, including your loan estimate detailing the costs of your loan and expected monthly payment, and a list of items we’ll need to process your loan request.

We’ll order the appraisal from a licensed appraiser who is familiar with home values in your area. Title Insurance will be necessary. If you’re purchasing a home, we’ll work with the real estate broker or seller to ensure the title work is ordered as soon as possible. If you’re refinancing, we’ll take care of ordering the title work for you. We’ll use the Title Insurance to confirm the legal status of your property and to prepare the closing documents.

After we receive the signed disclosures back from you and the appraisal and title work, we’ll have your loan reviewed in Underwriting for final approval before closing. If you’re purchasing a home, we’ll also schedule the closing with the real estate broker and the seller.

The closing will take place at the office of a title company or attorney or your realtor’s office. A few days before closing, your Mortgage Consultant will contact you to walk through the final information and issue the closing disclosure, so that there won’t be any surprises at closing.

That’s all there is to it!

Yes, applying for a mortgage loan before you find a home may be the best thing you could do! If you apply for your mortgage now, we'll issue an approval subject to you finding the perfect home. We'll email you a preapproval letter once your review is completed. You can use that preapproval letter to assure real estate brokers and sellers that you are a qualified buyer. Having a preapproval for a mortgage may give more weight to any offer to purchase that you make. When you find the perfect home, you'll simply call your Mortgage Consultant to complete your application. You'll have an opportunity to lock in our great rates and fees then, and we'll complete the processing of your request.

We take full advantage of an automated underwriting system that allows us to request as little information as possible to verify the data you provide during your loan application. Gone are the days when it was necessary to verify every piece of data collected during the application. The automated underwriting system compares your financial situation with statistical data from millions of other homeowners and uses that comparison to determine the level of verification needed. In many cases, a single W-2 or pay stub can be used to verify your income or two months of bank statements can be used to verify the assets needed to close your loan.

A credit score is one of the pieces of information that we’ll use to evaluate your application. Credit scores are based on information collected by credit bureaus and information reported each month by your creditors about the balances you owe and the timing of your payments. A credit score is a compilation of all this information converted into a number that helps a lender to determine the likelihood that you will repay the loan on schedule. The credit score is calculated by the credit bureau, not by the lender. Credit scores are calculated by comparing your credit history with millions of other consumers. They have proven to be a very effective way of determining credit worthiness.

Some of the things that affect your credit score include your payment history, your outstanding obligations, the length of time you have had outstanding credit, the types of credit you use, and the number of inquiries that have been made about your credit history in the recent past.

Credit scores used for mortgage loan decisions range from approximately 300 to 850. Generally, the higher your credit score, the lower the risk that your payments won’t be paid as agreed.

Using credit scores to evaluate your credit history allows us to quickly and objectively evaluate your credit history when reviewing your loan application. However, there are many other factors when making a loan decision, and we never evaluate an application without looking at the total financial picture of a customer.

An abundance of credit inquiries can sometimes affect your credit score since it may indicate that your use of credit is increasing.

But don't worry. The data used to calculate your credit score doesn't include any mortgage or auto loan credit inquiries that are made within the 30 days prior to the score being calculated. In addition, all mortgage inquiries made in any 14-day period are always considered one inquiry. Don't limit your mortgage shopping for fear of the effect on your credit score.

Buying a home is a big investment. A 20% down payment might be more than you have saved, but that doesn't necessarily mean your dream house is out of reach. If you are a first time home-buyer, you may be able to purchase a home with as little as 3% down. Want more info? Get in touch with our mortgage experts at 1-800-641-5036 or Mortgages@GOLDcu.org.

Your closing costs consist of fees for a credit report and underwriting, as well as other third-party fees traditional with any lender: appraisal, recording fees, title insurance, transfer taxes, property taxes, and the cost of a homeowners' insurance policy. 

Other Questions?

We tried to think of everything! But we know you may still have questions. Contact us or call 484-223-4200. We're happy to get you the answers you need.

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