Someone sent me money with Zelle®. How do I receive it?

If you've already enrolled with Zelle®, you don't need to take further action. The money will move directly into your bank account, typically within minutes. If you have not yet enrolled with Zelle®, follow these steps: Select the link provided in the payment notification you received through email or text message. Select First Citizens Bank. Follow the instructions provided on the page to enroll and receive your Zelle® payment. Pay attention to the email address or US mobile number where you received the payment notification. You should enroll with Zelle® using that email address or US mobile number to ensure you receive your money.

How much homeowners insurance do I need?

You'll need enough homeowners insurance to cover the cost to rebuild your home at current construction costs. This amount doesn't include the cost of the land and isn't related to the price you paid for your home or its current market value, tax value or loan amount. Keep in mind that the cost of rebuilding your home could be more or less than the price you paid or could sell it for due to changes in construction costs. Here are some things to consider when choosing how much homeowners insurance you need: Local construction costs Square footage of the structure Type of exterior wall construction—frame, brick, stone or veneer Style of the house Number of rooms and bathrooms Type of roof and materials used Other structures on the premises, such as a garage or shed Fireplaces, exterior trim and other special features like arched windows Whether the house and parts of it, like a kitchen, were custom built Home improvements that have added value to your home

How much does homeowners insurance cost?

Several factors affect the cost of homeowners insurance. Location: Areas prone to natural disasters, such as hurricanes or earthquakes, typically have higher premiums. Property value: More expensive homes typically have higher premiums. Deductible amount: Choosing a higher deductible—the amount you must pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in—can lower your premium, but it also means you'll pay more in case of a claim. Coverage limits: Higher coverage limits generally result in higher premiums. Home features: Factors like the age of your home, its construction materials and safety features like security systems and fire alarms can influence the cost of insurance. Claims history: If you've made previous claims on your homeowners insurance or if the property has a history of claims, it can affect the cost of coverage. To get an accurate estimate of homeowners insurance costs, contact insurance providers and request quotes based on your specific circumstances. They'll consider these factors and provide you with a personalized premium amount.

What does homeowners insurance cover?

Homeowners insurance typically covers the dwelling or structure of your home and other attached structures, including your garage and deck. Here's a breakdown of typical coverages within a homeowners policy. Main dwelling: This coverage protects your home in the event of damage or destruction due to things like fire, lightning, windstorms and vandalism. Other structures: This protects structures on your property that aren't attached to your home, like a detached garage, shed or fence Personal property: Coverage includes your personal belongings like furniture, appliances, clothing and electronics in the event of theft, damage, or destruction due to covered perils both inside and outside your home Liability: This may cover legal fees, medical expenses and settlements or judgments if someone is injured on your property or if you accidentally cause damage to someone else's property. Additional living expenses: This coverage may help pay for temporary living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss—including hotel bills, meals and other costs incurred while your home is being repaired or rebuilt. Medical bills: This coverage protects your finances if a guest is injured on your property, regardless of who's at fault.

Find answers to some commonly asked questions

Q: How do I reset my login credentials?

After you have logged in, select Profile and Preferences from the left navigation menu and then select Login Preferences. From this page you can reset your login ID, password and secure delivery method (the way you'll receive your one-time secure access code). If you're in the Digital Banking app, you can also manage fingerprint and 4-digit PIN access. If you can't log in, you'll have to call the Customer Care Center to have your secure login reset.

General

You can find your routing number by selecting the state where you opened your account. Routing numbers are often referred to as check routing numbers, ABA numbers or routing transit numbers, or RTN.

You can also find your routing and account numbers on checks or in Digital Banking.

On checks

Your routing number is listed as the first sequence of numbers at the bottom left corner of your personal checks—typically a 9-digit number. If you have a business account, the routing number will follow the 6-digit check number at the bottom of your checks.

Your account number is listed as the second sequence of numbers at the bottom left corner of your personal or business checks—typically a 12-digit number.

In Digital Banking

Your routing and account numbers can be viewed online in Digital Banking. Select the online bank account you want to see, then look for the details tab and select View Routing and Account Numbers.

Yes. First Citizens direct deposit service offers you the convenience of recurring automatic deposits into your accounts with same-day access. Deposits can be distributed across multiple First Citizens accounts. Online alerts let you know when your money has been deposited. Learn more about direct deposits.

Qualifying deposits may include salary, pension, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and other regular monthly income.

Direct deposit with your employer can be set up by downloading and filling out the direct deposit form (PDF).

You'll need to give the completed form, your First Citizens account and ABA routing number to your employer's payroll department.

Direct deposit of federal payments can be set up in several ways:

Enroll online at GoDirect.org
Call 800-333-1795
Visit your local First Citizens branch

We're unable to accept address changes from an email. Please use one of the following methods to change your address.

Log in to Digital Banking and select Profile & Preferences, then Profile and Contact Info.
Call our Customer Care Center at 888-FC DIRECT (888-323-4732) from 8 am to 9 pm ET Monday through Friday and from 8 am to 8 pm ET Saturday and Sunday.
Visit a local branch.
Submit a written request to:
First Citizens Bank
Attn: Data Integrity - DAC54
PO Box 27131
Raleigh, NC 27611

First Citizens branch locations will be closed in observance of the following federal holidays.

If you need to take care of your banking during the holidays, we’ve got you covered. With our secure ATMs and Digital Banking, you can access your accounts anywhere, anytime.

If you and your family have $250,000 or less in all of your deposit accounts at the same insured bank or savings association, you don't need to worry about your insurance coverage—your deposits are fully insured. A depositor can have more than $250,000 at one insured bank or savings association and still be fully insured provided the accounts meet certain requirements. In addition, federal law provides for insurance coverage of up to $250,000 for certain retirement accounts.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent agency of the United States government. The FDIC protects depositors against the loss of their insured deposits if an FDIC-insured bank or savings association fails. FDIC insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.

It means that the FDIC guarantees all traditional types of deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market savings and CDs) up to $250,000 per depositor and guarantees individual retirement accounts (IRAs) up to $250,000 per owner.

To instantly calculate your coverage, use the EDIE the Estimator, created by the FDIC.

To learn more, contact the FDIC toll-free at 877-275-3342 daily from 8 am to 8 pm ET or visit the FDIC website.

You can also call First Citizens directly at 888-FC DIRECT (888-323-4732) from 8 am to 9 pm ET Monday through Friday or from 8 am to 8 pm ET Saturday and Sunday. You can also visit one of our branches.

Posting order is the order in which transactions (debits and credits) are applied to your account during processing at the end of a business day.

Assuming that all example transactions below are made and received by us within the same business day, they'll post to your account in the following order:

Internal credit transfers: Credit transfers you make, either online, by ATM or by our automated telephone service, from one of your accounts to another one of your accounts at First Citizens.
For example: A transfer from your savings account to your checking account performed in Digital Banking is an internal credit transfer to your checking account.
Priority debit transactions with available funds: Transactions you initiate with your ATM or debit card that First Citizens authorizes at the time of the transaction, based on your account having sufficient available funds to cover the transaction.
For example: A department store purchase made with your debit card when adequate funds are available in your account or in your Premium Overdraft Service.
Priority debit transactions without available funds: Transactions you initiate with your ATM or debit card that First Citizens authorizes at the time of the transaction, even though your account doesn't have sufficient available funds to cover the transaction.
For example: A department store purchase made with your debit card when adequate funds aren't available in your account and the transaction is authorized using your Basic Overdraft Service. (Please note that this only applies to you if you have enrolled in our Basic Overdraft Service).
Deposits and other credits: Your deposits, other credit transactions (such as ACH and wire credit transfers, teller-credited items, and ATM deposits) and credit transfers made by First Citizens (such as corrections and fee reversals).
For example: A check or cash you deposit at the branch.
Teller-cashed checks and charge-backs: Teller-cashed checks are checks you write that the payee cashes with a First Citizens associate. Charge-backs are items you deposit to your account that are subsequently returned by the paying bank and charged-back to your account.
For example: A check written to your friend that they cash. Or a check you previously deposited that was returned by the paying bank—we must retrieve the funds from your account by way of a charge-back to your account.
Debit transactions resulting from credit reversals made by First Citizens.
For example: Double posting of a deposit. Your employer accidentally sent the ACH file for your direct deposit to First Citizens twice. As a result, you received your payroll amount as two separate credits to your account. Your employer realized the mistake and requested that First Citizens reverse the second credit to your account.
Internal debit transfers: Debit transfers you make, either online, by ATM or by telephone, from one of your First Citizens accounts to another.
For example: A transfer from your checking account to your money market account performed from an ATM. This is a debit transfer to your checking account.
All other debits: Checks and other debits you initiate including ACH debits and debit card transactions that First Citizens preauthorizes for an amount not specific to your purchase. These are sometimes called pay-at-the-pump transactions.
For example: A check written to your friend that they brought to their bank to cash. Or a gas station purchase you make at the pump using your debit card.
Bank debits for fees, services and other account charges.
Cash management sweeps: For select business accounts only.

Posting order allows you to make internal credit transfers from one account to another (through ATM, Digital Banking, Commercial Advantage or our automated phone service). These credit transfers will be applied before all other transactions posting that day.

Here's an example:

On Monday morning, Sally's checking account has an available balance of $75. It's the 15th of the month, and Sally knows there's an automatic $125 bill payment made from her checking account every month on the 15th. Sally logs in to Digital Banking and sees that her available balance won't be enough to cover that bill payment, so while still logged in to Digital Banking she transfers $100 from her savings account to her checking account.

At the end of the business day, Sally's internal credit transfer ($100 to her checking account) posts first, raising her balance to $175. Her bill payment of $125 is processed next, and Sally avoids overdrawing her account. There are no other transactions posted that day, and the next morning her available balance will be $50.

Yes. Transactions for both business and personal demand deposit accounts, such as checking and savings, post in the same order.

Credits are deposits or transfers of money into your account. Credits include cash or check deposits you make at the branch or ATM, automated clearing house, or ACH, credits such as automated payroll deposits, mobile check deposits and online banking or mobile transfers you make from another account.

Debits are withdrawals or transfers of money out of your account. Some examples of debits are writing a check, using your debit card to withdraw funds or make a purchase, or initiating an outgoing online transfer from your account.

Debits and credits, which are collectively known as items, officially post to your account during evening processing. As a result, items don't always post in the order in which the transactions occurred. Items post by transaction type or category. Within each transaction type, items post in sequential order (for example, check number) or dollar amount order (lowest to highest).

Your account's current balance is the beginning-of-the-day balance after the prior evening's posting. The available balance is the amount you have in your account that's available for immediate withdrawal or to cover debit items. The available balance represents the difference between the current balance and pending items (those items we have received but haven't posted).

Available Balance = Current Balance + Pending Credits - Pending Debits

You're charged an insufficient funds fee (NSF) whenever you don't have enough money in your checking account to cover an expense and we have to decline the transaction or return the item unpaid.

Whether you need checks or accessories for your personal accounts, we offer a quick and simple online ordering process through Harland Clarke.

Go to Harland Clarke - Check Ordering
Log in with your routing or transit number and the account number from your checking account. If you don't know where to find these numbers, an example check is available for clarification.
Choose the checks and accessories you want to purchase.

If your name or address has changed or you haven't ordered checks in the past, please call us or visit your local branch to update your information or place your first order.

You can reorder checks in three ways:

Online through our secure Digital Banking
Through our Customer Care Center
At your First Citizens branch

There are several ways to stop payment on a check, each with an associated fee. If you'd like to save money, try one of the two options below that have a lower stop-payment fee.

Log in to Digital Banking and select Service Center, then Stop Payment
Call 888-FC DIRECT (888-323-4732) and use our automated system

If neither option above is convenient, you can also stop payment on a check by calling the Customer Care Center at 888-FC DIRECT (888-323-4732) and speaking with a banking representative or by visiting your local branch.

Specific fee information is found in the Disclosure of Products and Fees for Checking and Savings Accounts.

First Citizens Bank
PO Box 26592
Raleigh, NC 27611

You can borrow any amount between $10,000 and $75,000.

Explore our Career Center where you can browse our open job listings and learn what sets First Citizens apart.

Checking

You can find your routing number by selecting the state where you opened your account. Routing numbers are often referred to as check routing numbers, ABA numbers or routing transit numbers, or RTN.

You can also find your routing and account numbers on checks or in Digital Banking.

On checks

Your account number is listed as the second sequence of numbers at the bottom left corner of your personal or business checks—typically a 12-digit number.

In Digital Banking

Whether you need checks or accessories for your personal accounts, we offer a quick and simple online ordering process through Harland Clarke.

Go to Harland Clarke - Check Ordering
Log in with your routing or transit number and the account number from your checking account. If you don't know where to find these numbers, an example check is available for clarification.
Choose the checks and accessories you want to purchase.

If your name or address has changed or you haven't ordered checks in the past, please call us or visit your local branch to update your information or place your first order.

You can reorder checks in three ways:

Online through our secure Digital Banking
Through our Customer Care Center
At your First Citizens branch

There are several ways to stop payment on a check, each with an associated fee. If you'd like to save money, try one of the two options below that have a lower stop-payment fee.

Log in to Digital Banking and select Service Center, then Stop Payment
Call 888-FC DIRECT (888-323-4732) and use our automated system

Specific fee information is found in the Disclosure of Products and Fees for Checking and Savings Accounts.

The Disclosure of Products and Fees for Checking and Savings Accounts provides a complete list of prices and fees for these types of accounts.

Yes. Your available balance immediately reflects your ATM and debit card deductions. However, they won't appear in your transaction history until the next business day's postings.

You're charged an insufficient funds fee (NSF) whenever you don't have enough money in your checking account to cover an expense and we have to decline the transaction or return the item unpaid.

You're charged an overdraft fee when you write a check or make a withdrawal for an amount that's more than the balance in your account, but we pay the transaction anyway.

When we say Basic Overdraft Service, we're referring to the default overdraft preferences set up when you opened your checking account with First Citizens.

Under our Basic Overdraft Service, at our discretion, we may authorize and pay overdrafts for checks, automatic bill payments or other transactions made using your checking account number. When such an overdraft is authorized, it may result in the assessment of a $10 overdraft fee (up to a maximum of four overdraft fees per day). You can change your overdraft preferences and elect not to permit overdrafts by notifying us.

When you open a checking account, you're also asked if you would like to opt in to Basic Overdraft Service with ATM/Debit Card Coverage. This enhanced service adds coverage for ATM cash withdrawals and one-time debit card transactions. We don't authorize or pay overdrafts for these types of transactions unless you opt in to this service. If we don't authorize or pay an overdraft, your transaction will be declined. You can change your overdraft preferences for these types of transactions at any time.

Yes. Your decision to enroll in Basic Overdraft Service with ATM and Debit Card Coverage can be changed at any time. Keep in mind that any previous overdraft fees you've incurred won't be waived or reimbursed as a result of such a change.

Yes. In fact, layering overdraft protection on top of Basic Overdraft Service with ATM and Debit Card Coverage has a number of benefits. Not only are you more protected against balance instability and the surprise of declined transactions, but you also set the order of priority for how transfers from savings and Checkline Reserve will occur. For example, you can prioritize your overdraft protection to draw from savings first, then Checkline Reserve.

Regardless of how you prioritize your protection, your Basic Overdraft Service or Basic Overdraft Service with ATM and Debit Card Coverage will always be last. In other words, we'll first try to help you avoid an overdraft by transferring funds as available. If the necessary funds aren't available in savings or in your line of credit, then First Citizens will exercise its discretion regarding whether to permit an overdraft or decline the transaction.

Overdraft protection and service is set on an account-by-account basis. This means you decide how you'd like overdrafts to be handled for each account you have. If you want overdraft protection on more than one bank account, then you must enroll each one.

If you don't enroll in this enhanced service, we won't be able to authorize one-time debit card transactions or ATM cash withdrawals unless your account has sufficient funds to cover the amount of the transaction. If your account doesn't have sufficient funds, these transactions will be declined at the point of purchase.

Overdraft protection refers to arrangements that help a customer avoid overdrafts. In contrast, overdraft service enables overdrafts to occur. At First Citizens, there are two overdraft protection options:

Link your savings account to your checking account. Funds may then be transferred from savings to checking to cover a transaction for which there were insufficient funds in checking.
Establish a Checkline Reserve account. This account is a line of credit from which funds may be transferred to checking to cover a transaction for which there were insufficient funds in checking. Customers must be credit-qualified to open a Checkline Reserve account.

Usually, there's a $10 fee on a day when funds are transferred from savings or a Checkline Reserve account to cover one or more items for which there were insufficient funds.

An overdraft occurs when the bank pays an item withdrawn from a bank account that doesn't have enough in its available balance to cover the transaction.

If you're unable to locate your debit card due to loss or theft, report it immediately by following these steps. Log in to Digital Banking, navigate to Manage Cards, select Report Card Lost or Stolen and complete the required information to request a replacement.

All you need to open an account online is an internet connection and a supported web browser. We recommend you use the most up-to-date versions of Internet Explorer, Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari.

The minimum system requirements for supported browsers include:

Desktop:

Apple Safari - 11 or higher
Google Chrome - 65 or higher
Microsoft Edge - 42 or higher
Microsoft Internet Explorer - 11.0
Mozilla Firefox - 60 or higher

Mobile:

Apple Safari on iOS - 7.0 or higher
Google Chrome - 4.0 or higher

Yes.

First Citizens has multiple types of personal checking accounts that can be opened online within minutes, including Free, Premier and Prestige options.

Yes. We use top-of-the-line security to protect your online bank account, including data encryption and multi-factor authentication. You can also set up alerts to monitor your account balances, transactions and settings in real time.

You can use Digital Banking to manage your online bank account. Easily track your transactions, set up budgets, transfer money and make payments online—all in one convenient place. Download the First Citizens mobile banking app to manage your free checking account and deposit checks on the go.

You can open a free checking account with us online. You can also visit your local branch or call us at 888-FC DIRECT to get help from a representative.

We offer multiple ways to protect your free checking account from overdrafts. Go beyond basic overdraft service by linking to a savings account or opening a Checkline Reserve. Learn more about your options for overdraft protection coverage.

Yes. Your free checking account comes with a Visa debit card that makes everyday spending simpler, safer and quicker than carrying cash or checks. You can request a debit card by logging in to Digital Banking.

A free checking account lets you safely and easily deposit and withdraw money for everyday purchases. You can use personal checks or a debit card to buy gas and groceries, pay bills and get cash from ATMs.

To qualify for and open a Premier checking account, you must make an initial deposit of at least $100 and undergo the standard ID verification process.

The Premier Executive checking account has a fee of $18 per month, but the fee is waived if one of the following requirements is fulfilled:

You receive ACH direct deposits totaling $4,000 or more
You maintain a combined daily balance of $5,000 or more on select accountsDD
You possess an EquityLine credit line of $25,000 or more
You hold a consumer loanD of an original amount of $10,000 or more

The Premier checking account has a fee of $18 per month, but the fee is waived if one of the following requirements is fulfilled:

You receive ACH direct deposits totaling $4,000 or more
You maintain a combined daily balance of $5,000 or more on select accountsDD
You possess an EquityLine credit line of $25,000 or more
You hold a consumer loanD of an original amount of $10,000 or more

A Premier checking account is an interest-bearing account that allows you to earn interest on the money you deposit. It also offers better rates on CDs and home equity lines of credit, along with convenient features like free Digital Banking, bill pay and 24/7 mobile deposits.

A Premier Executive checking account is an interest-bearing account that allows you to earn interest on the money you deposit. It also offers better rates on CDs and home equity lines of credit, along with convenient features like free Digital Banking, bill pay and 24/7 mobile deposits.

You can check your Prestige card balance through the Digital Banking app, at any First Citizens ATM or by using Manage My Money.

Prestige checking is a banking account option offered by First Citizens. The Prestige bank account gives customers VIP-level benefits like competitive rates on home equity credit lines, free checking, unlimited use of non-First Citizens ATMs and interest on checking accounts.

Those who qualify for Prestige checking meet the following criteria:

Are 18 years or older
Reside within a First Citizens operating area
Have a minimum opening deposit of $100

Together Card

The Together Card is a reloadable debit card for teenagers or other family members that's a safer alternative to a pre-paid debit card. You can access funds at ATMs, point-of-sale terminals and First Citizens branches. With Digital Banking, monitoring account activity is easy. Parents can use the Together Card to help teach responsible spending to their children, as well as for other purposes such as household budgeting.

Yes. You can access funds that are shown as available in your account. Cash deposits made at an ATM or a branch or Digital Banking transfers from your other First Citizens Bank accounts are available immediately. Funds deposited from a check at an ATM, First Citizens branch or through Mobile Check Deposit are subject to the Funds Availability Policy (see our Digital Banking Agreement (PDF) for more information).

You'll need to provide the First Citizens routing number (varies by state in which the account is opened) and the deposit account number provided at account opening. This account number is different than your Visa® debit card number. Learn more about direct deposits.

If a merchant authorizes a transaction for an amount greater than the available balance in the account at that time, the transaction will generally be declined. However, rare circumstances may result in the account being overdrawn from an ATM, debit card transaction or First Citizens Bill Pay. If this occurs, your account may be overdrawn, but you won't be charged an overdraft fee. A deposit must be made immediately to bring the account current.

No. There is no limit to the number of Together Card accounts that you can have.

Savings

Yes. You can set up automatic deposits to any of our personal savings accounts. Learn more about direct deposits.

Yes. You can use your Visa debit card to make deposits, transfers and withdrawals up to the regulatory limit.

Interest is compounded daily and paid monthly. Interest rates on savings accounts may change daily.

The best savings account for you depends on your savings goals. A First Citizens banker can help you choose which account is right for you based on your goals, how much you'd like to deposit and how you plan to use your account. Our personal savings accounts offer competitive interest rates and free Digital Banking, and some can even be used as overdraft protection for your First Citizens checking account. Whether you have $100 or $10,000 to save, we have an account that can help you reach your savings goals.

Yes. You can access your online savings account at an ATM. And, if you have a First Citizens checking account, both accounts can be linked to your First Citizens Visa® debit card.

A savings account is a personal banking account that earns interest. Interest rates can vary daily. Some savings accounts require a minimum opening deposit. You're allowed to withdraw your funds at any time. However, there's usually a minimum monthly balance that must be maintained to keep this account open.

Unlike a personal savings account, a CD savings account is a type of investment that secures a fixed amount of money for a specific time. A CD account accrues interest at a higher rate than an individual savings account. This higher interest yields greater savings over time, making it an excellent choice for saving more over a specific period. Once the CD reaches maturity, you can allow it to auto-renew, or you can withdraw your funds plus the interest.

Yes, but a penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal of principal. Any withdrawal of principal or interest prior to maturity will reduce earnings on the account.

With Digital Banking, you can access your online savings account at home or on the go. Download the First Citizens mobile app to deposit checks quickly and securely, simply by taking pictures of the check. Accessing your funds is easy with two free transfers or withdrawals per month, and you can make additional transfers or withdrawals for $3 each. Interest is compounded daily and credited to your account monthly to help your funds grow over time.

With a CD, you deposit a sum of money to earn interest for a certain period of time. These periods of time can range from shorter terms measured in months to longer terms spanning multiple years. During this term, your CD savings account earns a fixed rate of interest. Although you can access your funds before the CD matures, there's a penalty for early withdrawal. Once your CD matures, you can renew it for another term or withdraw your funds without penalty during the grace period.

You can open a CD savings account by visiting a local branch. Speaking with a banking representative can help you decide which CD account is the best fit for you. The minimum opening deposit for a CD account is $500.

You can open a money market account online in only a few minutes. We'll ask you to provide some personal details before you can fund your account. The minimum opening deposit is $500. Once your account is open, you can enroll in online Digital Banking and access everything it has to offer. If you'd like to open your account in person, you can visit a local branch.

Yes. Your deposit accounts, including CD savings accounts, are insured up to $250,000 per depositor, for each account ownership category.

A money market account is a great choice when you want to save money but aren't sure when you'll need access to your funds. It offers a couple of advantages over other types of savings accounts. First, it's a tiered savings account, which means you can earn more interest as your account balance grows. And unlike certificates of deposit, or CDs, you can withdraw funds with no penalties. This means you can access your funds when you need them, rather than having to wait for them to mature.

Yes. Your money market account is FDIC-insured up to $250,000.

The minimum opening deposit for a money market savings account is $500. To waive the $10 monthly maintenance fee, maintain a daily balance of $1,000.

The main difference between a money market account and a regular savings account is interest. Money market accounts typically offer higher interest rates, and those rates are tiered based on the account balance. In other words, you earn more when you save more. Regular savings accounts, on the other hand, have the same rate regardless of your balance.

Other differences include fees and the minimum opening deposit required for each type of account. Be sure to compare these details when choosing which type of account to open. Talking to a banker at your local branch can also help you decide which account is right for you.

Yes. Your online savings account is FDIC-insured up to $250,000.

Yes. You can open a First Citizens savings account online with no monthly fee. To get started, we'll ask you for some personal details and guide you through making your first deposit. You can make the first deposit by transferring funds from an existing First Citizens checking or savings account, or by using your credit or debit card. Then you can enroll in Digital Banking to access and manage your account online.

The only funding option for the online high-yield CD is an ACH transfer from an external bank.

To open the online high-yield CD, you'll need the bank name, routing number and account number of the external account you wish to use to fund the CD. Please note that funding for the high-yield CD can't come from existing First Citizens or CIT bank accounts.

The minimum deposit is $5,000 and the maximum deposit is $250,000 for the online high-yield CD.

It depends on the type of savings account you open. For example, Online Savings and CDs don't have a monthly fee. Other accounts, like Money Market, have monthly fees which can be waived if certain conditions are met, such as maintaining a minimum daily balance. Withdrawal fees also vary by account type and conditions. For a complete list of First Citizens savings account fees, see our Personal Account Disclosures.

Savings accounts and CDs differ in several important ways. CDs have a fixed interest rate and mature after a specific term such as 3 months or 1 year, with penalties for early withdrawal. With a savings account, you can withdraw funds any time without penalty, but the interest rate can change daily. Learn more about the differences between CDs and savings accounts.

You can open a savings account digitally or by visiting a First Citizens branch. Online Savings and Money Market accounts can easily be opened on our website, and it only takes a few minutes to get started. Certificates of Deposit, or CDs, can only be opened by visiting a branch.

A certificate of deposit, or CD savings account helps your money grow over a specific length of time with a guaranteed interest rate. If you have funds that you don't need to access for a while, a CD account is a great way to safely store and grow your savings while you plan for the future.

A money market savings account, also called a money market account, is a tiered savings account that offers higher interest rates as your savings grow. Interest is compounded daily and paid out monthly, which helps your account balance grow more quickly than a traditional savings account.

An online savings account is a convenient way to save money without having to visit a local branch. You can open a savings account online with as little as $50, and you can deposit or transfer funds by using a computer or mobile device connected to the internet.

Credit Cards

First Citizens Rewards® consumer cardholders who have a credit line of $5,000 or more, are automatically upgraded to Visa® Signature status and have access to enhanced benefits.

An APR, or annual percentage rate, represents the cost of credit on a yearly basis.

Yes. You can access your First Citizens credit card information online through Digital Banking. You can view your current account status and review 6 months' worth of transaction history. You can also access account information and view recent transactions in Mobile Banking.

Customers with Digital Banking access can switch to email delivery and go paperless for all credit card statements. To enroll, log in to Digital Banking.

If you see a suspicious charge, call 800-543-9000 then select the Report Fraud option. For your awareness, pending transactions do not have an impact on your current account balance because they have not been processed yet. Please continue to monitor your account and notify us immediately for any unauthorized posted transactions.

It's easy. We provide several convenient payment options:

Use Digital Banking or Mobile & Tablet Banking to transfer money from another First Citizens account to your credit card account
Call 888-FC DIRECT (888-323-4732) to make a payment over the phone
Drop off your payment at your local branch
Send your payment to:
First Citizens Bank
PO Box 63001
Charlotte, NC 28263-3001

When you pay your First Citizens credit card bill online from a First Citizens account, any payment funds transferred before 9 pm ET (even on weekends and holidays) are credited the same day. Your updated account balance and availability of funds could take 2 business days. When you pay your First Citizens credit card bill online from a non-First Citizens checking or savings account, the payment will be requested within 24 hours after you submit the payment online.

Contact the First Citizens Rewards® Center at 866-645-1694. Customer service representatives are available from 8 am to 9 pm ET Monday through Saturday and from 8 am to 6 pm ET Sunday. You may also access your account by logging into Digital Banking.

No. There's no need to enroll. Enrollment in the program is automatic as long as you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your personal First Citizens Visa® Credit Card.

No. Phones that are lost or misplaced aren't covered.

No. Phone accessories other than standard battery or standard antenna provided by the manufacturer, such as cases or PopSockets®, aren't covered.

All protection is different. We recommend you review Visa's Your Guide to Card Benefits (PDF) and compare it to your current protection. Based on your needs, you can determine if it makes sense to continue paying a monthly fee for your current protection, or cancel it and use the benefit offered through First Citizens.

To submit a cell phone protection claim, you’ll need to provide documents to prove that you purchased your phone, like an original store receipt, as well as proof that you paid your monthly bill with your First Citizens credit card. If your phone was stolen, you’ll need to provide a police report. You may be required to submit additional documents. Please see Visa's Your Guide to Benefits (PDF) for full details.

The benefits administrator may choose to repair or replace your phone, or reimburse you for the current suggested retail price of a replacement cell phone of similar kind and quality. Your reimbursement will exclude taxes, delivery and transportation charges, and any fees associated with the cellphone service provider, minus your $50 deductible. Reimbursement typically takes about 10 business days from the receipt and approval of the claim form and all the required documents.

After the 12th billing cycle, your APR will default to your Purchase APR. You'll be charged interest on purchases unless you pay off the entire new balance, including the transferred balance, by the due date.

Yes. There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. This fee will post to your credit card account the same time the balance transfer is posted.

Cardholders earn 1% unlimited cash back on every $1 spent on qualifying purchases. That means for every $100 you spend, you'll earn $1 in rewards dollars. Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

Yes. Cash back rewards expire after 3 years, on the last day of the month in which they were earned. For example, rewards dollars earned on January 3, 2023, will expire on January 31, 2026.

No. You begin earning rewards with the first dollar spent on qualifying purchases.

No. The IRS views cash-back bonuses as a rebate or discount, which is not taxable income.

There are two ways to check your cash back balance:

Log in to Digital Banking and select your credit card account
Call the Rewards Center at 866-645-1694

When you're ready to redeem your cash back, log in to Digital Banking and select Rewards Balance from the menu.

Yes. Cash back rewards earned using the Cash Rewards credit card expire 3 years from the original month earned. For example, rewards earned in March 2023 will expire in March 2026. FirstCitizensRewards.com provides details about rewards earned and upcoming expiration dates so you can ensure you don't miss out on your rewards.

You can also view your cash back rewards when you log in to Digital Banking.

Choose your Cash Rewards credit card account
Select the Details & Settings tab
Navigate to your rewards balance under the Access Rewards header

If you use a secured credit card responsibly, it can help build and improve your credit.

Rewards redemption options for the Cash Rewards credit card include:

Cash back in the form of a credit card statement credit
Deposits into your First Citizens checking or savings account
Pay Me Back: Use your cash rewards to pay for a recent purchase made on your credit card account
Pay My Loan: Use your cash rewards to pay down your First Citizens loan or mortgage
Donations to Teen Cancer America

Earn 1.5% cash back when you use your Cash Rewards credit card to make purchases. Keep in mind that not every transaction may earn cash rewards. Balance transfers and cash advances, for example, may not be eligible.

You can redeem your cash back rewards online anytime when you log in to Digital Banking.

Choose your Cash Rewards credit card account
Select the Details & Settings tab
Navigate to your rewards balance under the Access Rewards header

Rewards can also be redeemed by calling the First Citizens Rewards Center at 866-645-1694, Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 9 pm ET and Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm ET.

Low-interest credit cards work much the same as other credit cards. Having a card gives you access to a line of credit that you can use to make purchases, pay bills and transfer balances. Each month, you receive a bill for what you've spent with a required minimum payment. If you don't want to accrue any interest, aim to pay off your balance in full each month. Otherwise, you'll accrue interest on the remaining balance based on your annual percentage rate, or APR.

With our Smart Option credit card, not only do you enjoy a lower APR, but you also get great benefits and the same digital functionality as our other credit cards. Plus, you can use it anywhere Visa® is accepted worldwide.

Generally, you can expect a balance transfer to take up to 30 days, depending on the postal service and the other institution processing the payment. During this time, continue to make at least the minimum payments on the account balances being transferred.

You can learn more about credit card rewards point values by visiting Credit Card Rewards and selecting See Examples.

Like any other credit card, you need to apply for a secured credit card. Once you've applied, we'll review your application, credit report and other information to determine whether you qualify. You'll hear back from us within 48 hours.

You'll need the card issuer's name and address, your full 16-digit card number, and the amount you'd like to transfer.

No. There's no limit or cap on the cash rewards you can earn.

No. However, anyone can rebuild credit after filing for bankruptcy, though it may take time to qualify for preferred cards and rates. Depending on the type of bankruptcy you filed, it can take up to 7 years to qualify.

First Citizens is here to help, and we invite you to visit your local branch to discuss other opportunities that may meet your needs based on your individual circumstances.

Yes. A low-interest credit card can be a good option for students looking to establish credit history. Students may also benefit from having a small-limit credit card to help cover emergencies while they're away from home.

Along with using a credit card responsibly, students can follow these key strategies to help them build credit.

Make sure to pay your bills on time each month. Payment history is the single biggest factor affecting your credit, accounting for around 35% of your FICO® score.
Watch your credit utilization. This is the amount of total credit you use as a percentage of your credit limit, and it accounts for about 30% of your FICO score.
Consider programs that include other types of payment history in your credit score. It might be worthwhile to sign up for programs like Experian Boost, a free program that counts your payments from a linked checking account you use to pay your utilities, cell phone and streaming media plans.
Be patient. It takes time to build or rebuild your credit history, and being consistent will lead to the best results.

Yes. If you've set a goal to build or rebuild your credit, managing a low-interest credit card can help you get there.

To help build good credit, use your credit card regularly and make all your payments on time. You'll also want to keep an eye on your credit utilization and aim to use 30% or less of your card's credit limit.

Long-standing accounts reflect positively on your credit report, which in turn helps rebuild your credit. When managed properly, a low-interest credit card can be a valuable part of your credit-building strategy.

When you apply, your interest rate is determined based on your credit quality and history. If you're aiming for our lowest APR range, you can work to improve your credit before applying. Reviewing the 5 Cs of credit can help you see how your application might look to a lender.

No. Your balance transfer doesn't need to post within the 90-day window. However, it must be initiated and submitted during the 90-day window to qualify for the introductory rate.

You can check your balance or redeem your cash back online anytime by logging in to Digital Banking. Then:

Choose your credit card account
Navigate to the Details & Settings tab
To redeem, select Rewards Balance under the Access Rewards header to be connected directly to the rewards website

You can also check your balance or redeem cash back by calling the First Citizens Rewards Center at 866-645-1694, Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 9 pm ET and Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm ET.

No. Points or rewards dollars aren't accrued on balance transfers or associated fees.

With the Rewards credit card, you can earn up to 10,000 points per month. Credit card point rewards expire 3 years from the original month earned. For example, points earned in March of 2024 will expire in March of 2027.

With your Rewards credit card, you'll automatically earn points when you use your card to make purchases, with bonus points for spending in categories like gas. Points you earn will be posted to your account daily. You can save up your points or redeem them for your choice of rewards.

Making the most of a point reward credit card program depends on your shopping and spending habits. If you find yourself frequently spending money in a single category, for example groceries or gas, you might be able to add up the rewards. When planning a big purchase, like appliances, the extra incentive of credit card points can be attractive. Credit card points may be more convenient while booking travel or experiences, making them appealing to frequent fliers.

Credit card points are incentives that you receive through the program your point reward credit card offers. Rewards point programs come with many ways to earn and redeem rewards. For example, many popular point reward credit card programs allow points to be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, travel rewards and more.

With your Rewards credit card, you can redeem your points several ways.

You can choose cash back in the form of a statement credit or as a deposit into your First Citizens checking or savings account. If you prefer, you can use points to pay for a recent purchase made on your credit card account with Pay Me Back. You can also use your credit card points to pay down your First Citizens loan or mortgage with Pay My Loan.

Plus, you can use your credit card rewards to donate to Teen Cancer America or redeem them for gift cards or merchandise. When you're ready to redeem your points, just log in to Digital Banking to access your account, then select Rewards Balance from the menu.

You can redeem your cash back for a number of rewards:

Cash back: Cash back rewards can be redeemed as a statement credit on your credit card account or as a deposit into your First Citizens checking or savings account.
Pay Me Back®: Redeem rewards to reimburse yourself for purchases made on your First Citizens credit card. Pay Me Back redemptions must be made within 60 days of original qualifying purchases of $100 or greater. Some exclusions apply to certain categories of transactions. No statement credits will be applied against any monthly minimum payment due.
Pay My Loan: Redeem rewards for a credit that's applied toward your First Citizens mortgage or personal loan.
Donate to Teen Cancer America: Donate the rewards you've earned to open the door to better care and brighter futures to support teens in the fight against cancer.

No. There's no limit or cap on earning cash back with our secured cash back credit card.

You can redeem your cash back in any amount over $25. As long as it's $25 or more, you can request checking or savings deposits and statement credits in any amount down to the penny.

Please note that statement credits can't be applied toward any monthly minimum payments due.

Yes. A balance transfer can be used to pay down balances on any unsecured revolving credit cards and loans, except those with First Citizens or any of our affiliates.

Because air travel costs vary by flight time, destination and departure city, the number of points required will vary from flight to flight. If you know the cost of a flight, you can estimate how many points you'll need—simply multiply the cost by 100. For example, you'd need 17,766 points to cover a flight costing $176.66.

Redemption fees also apply. Airline tickets booked by calling the First Citizens Rewards Center have a redemption fee of $20 or 2,000 points. Airline tickets booked online through the Rewards website have a redemption fee of $15 or 1,500 points.

Please note you don't have to cover the entire cost of your flight with points. If you don't have enough points to pay for a flight in full, you can use your points to pay a portion of the cost and use your Travel Rewards card for the remaining balance.

No. Your points won't expire as long as your credit card account remains open and in good standing.

Yes. You can transfer some or all of the points in your Rewards account to another First Citizens Rewards account. Point-gifting is limited to consumer cardholders and must be completed online.

With our Travel Rewards credit card, you earn points for both travel purchases—3 points per $1 spent—and everyday purchases—1.5 to 2 points per $1 spent. You can redeem your points for flights, hotel stays and more. If you travel often, a travel rewards card can help make your travel more affordable.

No. There's no limit on the number of points you can earn with your Travel Rewards credit card.

Yes. You can earn and redeem points for a variety of credit card rewards. Use your points for rewards including travel, cash as a statement credit or as a deposit into your First Citizens checking or savings account, donations to Teen Cancer America, gift cards, and merchandise.

Your credit score is an important factor in determining your creditworthiness. Learn more about credit scores and how they impact lending decisions in our guide to credit scores.

With the Travel Rewards credit card, you earn additional points on travel-related purchases. You also receive a $100 annual ancillary travel credit that can be applied toward baggage fees, TSA PreCheck® fees, airline club memberships and more. Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees when using this card outside the US, making it a great travel companion for your wallet.

Points are posted within 3 business days of your purchase, except for holidays.

Merchants who accept Visa® credit cards are assigned a merchant code, which is determined by the merchant or its processor in accordance with Visa procedures based on the kinds of products and services they primarily sell. We group similar merchant codes into categories for the purposes of making reward offers to you.

We make every effort to include all relevant merchant codes in our bonus reward categories. However, although a merchant or some of the items that it sells may appear to fit within a rewards category, the merchant may not have a merchant code in that category. When this occurs, purchases with that merchant won't qualify for rewards offers on purchases in that category.

A secured credit card is a special credit card that requires you to put down a cash security deposit when you open the account. If you default on your payments, the cash deposit will serve as collateral. It also determines your credit limit (between $500 and $5,000 for our Secured Cash Back Credit Card.) The deposit is refundable if you close your account with no balance or graduate to an unsecured card. Secured credit cards can be especially useful for people with bad credit or little to no credit history.

A credit card balance transfer is the process of transferring debt from one credit card to another. Usually, people use balance transfers to save money by moving from a high-interest rate card to a low-interest rate card, or to streamline monthly payments. The new credit card may offer other benefits as well, such as a cash back or travel rewards program.

The 90-day window begins the day your credit card is approved.

You can earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on all your purchases. Purchases are defined as gross retail purchases less any returns or credits with some exceptions like balance transfers and cash advances. The full program rules are provided during enrollment, and you can access them any time at FirstCitizensRewards.com.

These transactions are subject to approval, and we reserve the right to decline based on account status, available credit, credit history and other factors.

There are several reasons you might choose a low-interest credit card. Chief among them, of course, is the lower interest rate. Having a card with a lower rate means you pay less interest, which is especially helpful if you happen to carry a balance from one month to the next.

Lower interest can also be a boon if you're looking to consolidate your debt. If you have credit cards with higher rates, you can transfer those balances to a low-interest credit card and pay it off as a single debt. This approach can help you pay off your debt faster because you'll only be accruing interest on the lower-rate card, rather than one or more higher-rate cards.

Lastly, you might prefer a low-interest credit card if you don't want or use credit card rewards. Higher-rate cards often offer rewards programs, where you earn points based on your spending. But if these programs aren't important to you—or if you forget to redeem your rewards—that higher-rate card might not be worth the cost. In those cases, a lower-rate card could be a better fit.

Home Equity

Here are a few key differences between a home equity loan and a line of credit.

Interest rate: Home equity loans offer a fixed rate for the life of the loan or with a balloon payment dependent upon the loan term. Home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs, typically offer a variable interest rate option, although you can choose to fix a portion or all of the variable balance.
Access to funds: A home equity loan provides you the money in an upfront lump sum and you repay over a defined period of time. On the other hand, a HELOC gives you ongoing access to your available credit. As you repay the balance during the draw period, those funds are made available for you to use again.
Payment options: Most often, a home equity loan will have fixed payments for the entire term of the loan, while a HELOC offers flexible payment options based on the current balance of the loan during the draw period.

Your home's equity can be calculated by subtracting any outstanding mortgage balance(s) from the market value of the property. For example, if the appraised value of your home is $250,000 and the principal balance remaining on your mortgage is $150,000, then your home equity is $100,000. This is the portion of your home that you own.

Lenders typically set a maximum loan-to-value, or LTV, ratio limit for how much they'll allow customers to borrow in a home equity loan or home equity line of credit. To calculate how much, you must know these three things:

Your home's value
All outstanding mortgages on the property
Your lender's maximum LTV limit

Simply multiply the home's value by the lender's maximum LTV limit and then subtract the outstanding mortgage amount. For reference, First Citizens sets a maximum LTV limit of 89.99% for home equity loans and home equity lines of credit.

To qualify for a home loan, you'll need to complete an application with the following information:

Name
Property address
Photo ID (driver license or passport)
Employment and income information
Amount you wish to borrow

We'll review your credit application in accordance with our normal credit approval processes.

You should be able to access your home equity account normally within 3 business days after your closing.

There are several options available to you as you near the end of draw period on your equity line. For more information, please see our Home Equity Line of Credit End of Draw Options.

Interest you pay on a loan secured by your primary residence may be tax deductible. You should always consult an accountant or tax advisor to determine if this applies.

Mortgage

Choosing the right mortgage is just as important as choosing the right house. That's why we offer a variety of products, each with different features and advantages. Plus, our dedicated team of mortgage bankers is here to help you find the right loan for where you are in your life.

When you apply for a mortgage loan, the lender will pull your credit score. Your credit score measures your credit risk relative to the rest of consumers, based on your credit usage history. Higher credit risk scores can mean lower rates and better loan terms.

When you receive a mortgage loan, you'll also receive an escrow account. The lender will deposit part of your monthly mortgage payment into this escrow account. That payment covers taxes and insurance premiums that are typically assessed annually, but with a mortgage are paid monthly so that the lender can reduce the risk that you'll fall behind on your obligations.

A mortgage loan payment is made up of two things—a payment toward the principal amount, and a payment toward the interest. Paying these two things off in equal installments over a set time period is called mortgage amortization. When you first start paying off your mortgage, most of the payment is applied to the interest. Over time, your principal payments catch up until your loan is paid off.

Fixed-rate mortgages offer simplicity and stability. With this type of loan, your principal and interest payments are guaranteed to remain the same for the duration of your loan, regardless of the number of years involved. In addition, a fixed-rate mortgage allows you to use funds other than your own (such as gifts, grants or a secured loan) for the down payment and closing costs, including prepaid costs.

With an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), the lower rates at the beginning of the term usually allow you to keep more cash on hand each month—cash that you can use for savings or other expenses. Plus, we monitor the mortgage industry to make sure you get the best terms available. Locking in the best rate, early in the process, is the key to making an ARM work for you. Interest rate ceilings and specified adjustment dates over the life of the loan further protect you from fluctuating rates in unpredictable times.

Yes. You'll just need to enroll in Online Bill Pay. You can also have your payments drafted each month from your checking or savings account.

Your home's value
All outstanding mortgages on the property
Your lender's maximum LTV limit

No. With a home renovation loan, the funds are used to pay off the existing mortgage, leaving extra funds to be used for renovation. Unlike personal loans, home improvement loans aren't disbursed directly to the borrower. Instead, they're paid to the contractor as renovation work is completed. This is convenient for the borrower because they only have one monthly payment to make for their home, and they don't have to handle payments to the contractor on their own.

Yes. FHA home loans are assumable. The homebuyer assuming the loan must meet credit, income, employment and other FHA requirements.

Medical professional mortgage loans offer several benefits to healthcare professionals.

Lower down payment requirements: Medical professional mortgages typically offer lower down payment options, allowing borrowers to purchase a home with a smaller down payment.
Flexible debt-to-income ratios: Physician mortgage loans offer more lenient debt-to-income ratio requirements, allowing borrowers to qualify for a mortgage even with higher debt.
Reduced mortgage insurance premiums: Physician home loans often have reduced insurance premiums or waived insurance requirements, saving borrowers money on monthly mortgage payments.
Specialized underwriting criteria: Lenders may consider income from multiple sources or contract-based work and may use additional documentation, like employment contracts or future earnings projections, in assessing borrower repayment ability.
Streamlined loan approval process: A streamlined approval process expedites the application and underwriting process.
Higher loan limits: Some physician mortgage loan programs offer higher loan limits, allowing borrowers to purchase more expensive homes without the need for jumbo loans.

You can use the mortgage payment calculator on this page to estimate your monthly payments on a fixed-rate mortgage. To use the calculator, you'll need to know the home's purchase price, annual property taxes and home insurance costs, and monthly HOA dues. You'll also need to know how long your loan term will be and its interest rate.

No. USDA rural development loans are generally meant for purchasing existing or new homes. They're not typically available for purchasing land unless they're part of a new construction plan that meets USDA standards.

Yes. The USDA offers streamlined and non-streamlined options that may allow borrowers to lower their interest rate or monthly payment without needing an appraisal in some cases. The streamlined option is faster and has fewer requirements for those who qualify.

You can also choose to refinance your USDA mortgage through a conventional refinance process, although this may result in the loss of certain benefits.

Higher mortgage limits mean the risk is greater for these types of loans, so you'll need to have a good credit score. The higher your credit score, the greater your chances of being approved for a jumbo mortgage. A better credit rating also means you have a better chance of being approved at a lower interest rate.

No. Although FHA home loans are primarily used by first-time homebuyers, it's not a requirement of the program. In fact, you can qualify for this type of loan even if you've gone through a foreclosure, as long as you wait the required amount of time and can demonstrate good credit. The main thing to remember is that you can't purchase a vacation home or rental property with an FHA loan—rather, the house must be your primary residence.

Mortgage rates fluctuate from day to day based on market conditions such as economic health, employment trends and inflation. Once you lock in your mortgage rate, the fixed-rate mortgage will remain at that rate throughout the life of the loan and will not be subject to daily variations. Your interest rate on a fixed-rate mortgage also depends on a number of personal factors. Examples include your credit score and the loan-to-value ratio, which is impacted by your down payment.

Terms for fixed-rate mortgages can range between 15 and 30 years. The vast majority of homebuyers opt for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, with the 15-year term being the second-most popular choice.

There are four main types of mortgage loans available to borrowers.

Conventional loans
Conventional loans are not insured or guaranteed by the government and are offered by private lenders. They may be conforming or non-conforming. Conforming loans guidelines are set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and include loan limits and underwriting criteria. Non-conforming loans, or jumbo loans, exceed these traditional limits and often require a higher credit score and a larger down payment than government-backed loans.
Government-backed loans
Government home loans are insured or guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration—FHA loans, the Department of Veterans Affairs—VA loans, or the US Department of Agriculture—USDA loans. They offer several benefits—lower down payment requirements, flexible credit criteria and competitive interest rates.
Jumbo loans
Jumbo loans are non-conforming loans that exceed the loan limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. They're often used to finance higher-priced properties. Jumbo loans typically require a higher credit score, a larger down payment and more strict underwriting standards.
Fixed-rate loans
With fixed-rate loans, the interest rate remains the same for the entire loan term—15 or 30 years. They provide stability and predictability, as the monthly mortgage payment typically remains consistent over time.

A standard refinance doesn't provide you with access to cash from your home's equity. However, a cash-out refinance replaces your existing loan with a larger one. The larger loan allows you to access cash from your home's equity, and the cash received can be used for any purpose.

Government home loans are designed to make homeownership more accessible and affordable. Your credit score plays an important role in determining your eligibility for a government home loan. While each authority has set required minimum credit scores, lenders may set their own minimum credit score requirements within government mandates. First Citizens requires a 640 minimum credit score for USDA loans and minimum score of 620 for FHA and VA loans.

It's important to note that while credit scores are important, lenders also consider other factors in your financial history, such as your income, employment stability and debt-to-income ratio.

Government-backed loans offer several benefits that make them an attractive option for borrowers. These benefits may vary depending on the specific loan program and individual circumstances.

Lower down payments
One of the most attractive benefits is a lower down payment, which makes homeownership more accessible, especially for first-time buyers who may have difficulty saving a large sum of money.
Flexible credit requirements
Government-backed loans often have more lenient credit score requirements compared to conventional loans. Borrowers with less-than-perfect credit may still qualify for a loan.
Competitive interest rates
Government home loans often come with competitive interest rates. This may save borrowers a substantial amount of money over the life of the loan. Plus, mortgage payments may be lower.
Streamlined application process
Government mortgage loans typically have a streamlined application process. The approval process is usually more efficient and faster than with traditional mortgage loans.

Consult with a mortgage professional or lender to get a full understanding of the advantages and eligibility criteria for government-backed loans.

Yes. You can take equity out of your house without refinancing your mortgage. A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, allows you to take equity out of your home without disrupting your current mortgage.

Additionally, a home equity loan is another great way to access your home equity without refinancing.

Yes. A home refinance can help improve your budget each month. If interest rates have declined, a rate-and-term refinance can provide a lower payment, resulting in money you can add back to your monthly budget.

Yes. A mortgage refinance can help you pay off your home faster. Refinancing to a shorter term or a lower interest rate—or both—could reduce the term of the loan.

With an ARM loan, your interest rate is fixed for an initial period of time, and then it's adjusted based on the terms of your loan.

When comparing different types of ARM loans, you'll notice that they typically include two numbers separated by a slash—for example, a 5/1 ARM. These numbers help to explain how adjustable mortgage rates work for that type of loan. The first number specifies how long your interest rate will remain fixed. The second number specifies how often your interest rate may adjust after the fixed-rate period ends.

Here are a few of the most common types of ARM loans:

5/1 ARM: 5 years of fixed interest, then the rate adjusts once per year
5/6 ARM: 5 years of fixed interest, then the rate adjusts every 6 months
7/1 ARM: 7 years of fixed interest, then the rate adjusts once per year
7/6 ARM: 7 years of fixed interest, then the rate adjusts every 6 months
10/1 ARM: 10 years of fixed interest, then the rate adjusts once per year
10/6 ARM: 10 years of fixed interest, then the rate adjusts every 6 months

It's important to note that these two numbers don't indicate how long your full loan term will be. Most ARMs are 30-year mortgages, but buyers can also choose a shorter term, such as 15 or 20 years.

Interest rates for adjustable-rate mortgages depend on a number of factors. First, lenders look to a major mortgage index to determine the current market rate. Typically, an adjustable-rate mortgage will start with a teaser interest rate set below the market rate for a period of time, such as 3 or 5 years. After that, the interest rate will be a combination of the current market rate and the loan's margin, which is a preset number that doesn't change.

For example, if your margin is 2.5 and the market rate is 1.5, your interest rate would be 4% for the length of that adjustment period. Many adjustable-rate mortgages also include caps to limit how much the interest rate can change per adjustment period and over the life of the loan.

First, only FHA-approved lenders can offer this type of loan. Next, if you get an FHA home loan, you'll be required to purchase FHA mortgage insurance. This means you'll pay an upfront cost of 1.75% of the loan amount, as well as monthly mortgage insurance premiums, or MIPs. Depending on the terms of your loan, you may be making these payments for 11 years or for the life of the loan.

The major difference between jumbo loans and conventional home loans is their size. Due to their larger size, jumbo loans are ineligible for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to purchase or guarantee, making them slightly riskier than conventional mortgages. As a result, eligibility requirements are usually stricter for jumbo loans.

USDA loans differ from conventional mortgages in their eligibility and insurance requirements, as well as their geographic availability. Unlike most conventional mortgage loans, USDA home loans also don't require a down payment. They do require mortgage insurance, but it differs from private mortgage insurance, or PMI, because it's capped at 1% of your loan amount and can be rolled into your loan. There's also an annual premium that's divided by 12 and added to your monthly payment.

VA loans can offer a number of advantages compared to conventional mortgage loans. Depending on the lender, there may be no down payment required. There's also no private mortgage insurance, or PMI, requirement for VA loans. Typically, VA loans offer great interest rates and limited closing costs, saving borrowers thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.

USDA home loans offer a unique financing option when conventional mortgages aren't an option. There are three types of USDA loans.

Guaranteed loans are backed by the USDA, issued by approved lenders and typically require no down payment.
Direct loans are funded directly by and obtained directly through the USDA. They offer lower interest rates and may require no down payment.
Home improvement loans provide funds for repairs or upgrades to existing homes. These low-interest, fixed-rate loans can be used to make homes more livable or efficient.

Most people don't have enough cash to purchase a home outright, which is why mortgages are designed to be paid off over time. Using an amortization schedule, lenders divide the loan balance and the expected interest into a series of regular monthly payments. Part of each mortgage payment goes toward the principal—the original loan balance—and another part goes toward interest. Depending on the loan, these monthly payments may include property tax and home insurance as well.

A mortgage is a secured loan, meaning the home is collateral for the loan. If the borrower defaults on their loan, the lender may take the collateral as payment. Once the mortgage is paid off, the lender no longer has any secured interest in the property and the homeowner owns it outright.

Prospective borrowers must provide detailed plans, a realistic budget and a construction timeline prior to getting approval for a new home construction loan. Once approved, the lender makes payments to the builder as the project progresses, while the borrower makes interest-only payments on the loan.

Loans guaranteed by the government provide opportunities for borrowers who may not meet the strict requirements of conventional loans. They offer more accessible down payment options, lower credit score thresholds and competitive interest rates. However, it's important to note that these loans also come with specific eligibility criteria and guidelines that must be met.

FHA loans are popular among first-time homebuyers and those with lower credit scores. This type of loan allows lenders to offer more flexible terms and lower down payments. Homebuyers typically put down as little as 3.5% of the purchase price. However, FHA loans require borrowers to pay mortgage insurance premiums, or MIP, throughout the life of the loan.

VA loans are exclusively available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members and their spouses. These loans offer benefits including no payment, competitive interest rates and no private mortgage insurance, or PMI. VA loans also have more lenient credit and income requirements.

USDA loans offer 100% financing, meaning no down payment is required. Lower interest rates and flexible credit requirements are additional benefits. To qualify for a USDA loan, the property must be located in an eligible rural area, and the borrower's income should fall within the specified limits.

Jumbo loans work similar to conventional mortgage loans with a few differences. They can't be guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac because they exceed conforming loan limits. Because jumbo loans allow you to borrow more money to purchase a more expensive home, the requirements and approval process are stricter than the traditional mortgage loan process.

There's no limit on how many times you can use a VA loan. However, you may only have up to two VA loans at one time.

Changes to your interest rate depend on the terms of your loan. Many adjustable-rate mortgages are adjusted yearly, but others may adjust monthly, quarterly, semiannually or once every 3 to 5 years. Typically, the interest rate is fixed for an initial period of time before adjustment periods begin. For example, a 5/6 ARM is an adjustable-rate mortgage that's fixed for the first 5 years before becoming adjustable twice a year—once every 6 months—afterward.

Depending on the type of mortgage, many homeowners may be eligible for mortgage refinance with little to no waiting period. Others may be eligible in as little as 6 months to take advantage of refinanced mortgage rates.

Take these steps to apply for an FHA home loan.

Find a mortgage banker to assess your homebuying readiness and determine if an FHA loan is right for you.
Apply for the home loan online. Be sure to include any required documentation, such as proof of employment, proof of income and tax documents.
Respond to any requests from underwriting quickly.
Await loan approval.
Close on your FHA mortgage loan.

Get started by getting prequalified for a USDA mortgage online or by calling us at 888-280-2885. You can also search our local directory to find a mortgage banker near you. Once you're prequalified, you can apply for a USDA rural development loan and turn your dream of buying a rural or suburban home into a reality.

To qualify for an FHA home loan, you'll need a down payment of 3.5% and a credit score of 620 or higher. The FHA gives lenders specific guidelines to determine eligibility, and your lender can help you understand how they apply to you. For example, you'll need to show a steady employment history for the past 2 years to qualify for an FHA home loan.

To qualify for a jumbo loan, it helps to have excellent credit with a score above 680, as well as a low debt-to-income ratio, or DTI. Some lenders may ask for documentation showing you have enough cash on hand to cover the first 6 months or 1 year of mortgage payments. Consult a mortgage banker for details.

To qualify for a USDA home loan, the house you're purchasing must be in an eligible rural area and your income must be below the eligibility cap for that area. Lenders will also consider your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, and your credit score. Preferred borrowers will typically have a DTI under 43% and a credit score of 640 or higher.

To qualify for the VA home loan program, you'll need to work with your lender to get a Certificate of Eligibility, or COE. Typically, this means you or your spouse meet one of the following VA home loan requirements:

Active service for 90 consecutive days during a wartime period
Active service for 181 consecutive days during a peacetime period
6 years of service in the Army Reserve or National Guard
Your spouse was a service member who passed away in the line of duty or due to a service-related disability

You may also need to satisfy a lender's income, debt and credit requirements to qualify for VA home loan eligibility.

An FHA loan may be right for you if you:

Are a first-time homebuyer
Have some credit challenges
Have a moderate yet stable income
Have a steady work history
Need down payment assistance
Desire a lower down payment

Each year, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA, determines the maximum loan limit for conventional mortgages in the US. In certain places, including higher cost-of-living areas, the limit is higher. You can visit Fannie Mae to see this year's loan limits. To purchase a single-family home above the limit in your area, you'll need a jumbo loan. Jumbo loan limits for this program are above the conforming limits for your area and less than $3,000,000.

Jumbo loans offer several benefits to homebuyers.

Borrow more money: Higher loan limits mean you can borrow more money to purchase a more expensive home:
Manage one loan: No more loan juggling. You can purchase your home with one loan instead of piecing together multiple loans from multiple vendors:
Lower interest rates (possibly). Depending on factors such as creditworthiness, income, homebuyer program and lender, you may qualify for a lower interest rate.

Yes. You should get a home appraisal any time you're purchasing a new home. This is especially important when applying for mortgage loans to purchase more expensive homes. An appraisal helps you negotiate better prices, ensures a fair and transparent homebuying process by providing a detailed view of the home and structure, and helps you close on your home faster and with fewer issues.

Government-backed mortgages are insured or guaranteed by government entities, making them more accessible and affordable for certain groups of borrowers.

Federal Housing Administration, or FHA-backed mortgages are the most popular government mortgage loans, offering more flexible terms and lower down payment requirements, while being particularly beneficial for first-time homebuyers and those with lower credit scores.

Mortgages backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA, are exclusively available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members and their spouses. These mortgages come with no down payment, competitive interest rates and no private mortgage insurance, or PMI, requirement.

Mortgages in rural and suburban areas may be backed by the US Department of Agriculture, or USDA. These types of mortgages are for homebuyers within these areas who have low to moderate incomes. USDA mortgages offer 100% financing, no down payment, lower interest rates and flexible credit requirements.

Construction loan rates vary, but new home construction loans typically have variable rates that are slightly higher than traditional mortgage rates because the home can't act as collateral—therefore posing a higher perceived risk if the borrower defaults on payments.

To qualify for a new home construction loan, prospective borrowers must go through the bank's normal credit approval process. They also must provide a signed construction or purchase agreement to the lender that includes a full construction timeline, detailed plans on the project and a realistic budget for it.

Yes. However, depending on the terms of your loan, you may be charged a pre-payment penalty.

Many borrowers choose to pay an extra amount toward their mortgage each month, with the goal of paying it off early. However, unlike with fixed-rate mortgages, extra payments won't shorten the term of your ARM loan. It could lower your monthly payments, though. This is because your payments are recalculated each time the interest rate adjusts. For example, if you have a 5/1 ARM with a 30-year term, your interest rate will adjust for the first time after 5 years. At that point, your monthly payments will be recalculated over the next 25 years based on the amount you still owe. When the interest rate is adjusted again the next year, your payments will be recalculated over the next 24 years, and so on. This is an important difference between fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages, and you can talk to a mortgage banker to learn more.

Yes. You can refinance an adjustable-rate mortgage and switch to the certainty of a fixed-rate mortgage to take advantage of favorable initial rates that may be available with an adjustable-rate mortgage. You can also choose to switch out from a fixed-rate mortgage to take advantage of favorable initial rates that may be available with an adjustable-rate mortgage.

If you're interested in refinancing your mortgage, talk to a mortgage banker about your options.

Yes. In some instances, refinancing your home loan can eliminate the need for mortgage insurance if increased home value or lowered loan payments reduce the principle and increase your home equity to 20% or more.

How soon you can refinance an FHA loan depends on the type of mortgage you desire. Options include streamlined, cash-out , simple and 203(k) refinance.

FHA streamlined refinances require you to wait 210 days before you can refinance an FHA mortgage loan. Your mortgage must be current and have been paid on time for the last 6 months.
FHA cash-out refinances require you to have owned your home for at least a year, made your payments on time for a year, have a 500 credit score and a low debt-to-income ratio.
FHA simple refinances require you to have made on-time payments for the last 6 months.
FHA 203(k) refinances require your home to be at least a year old and your payments for the last 6 months to have been made on time.

Yes. Refinancing a fixed-rate mortgage can help homeowners save money by securing a lower interest rate or shortening the term of their loan.

For example, if you have a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, you could refinance with a 15-year or 20-year mortgage loan. And although your monthly payments may be higher with a shorter term, you'll build equity and pay off your loan faster, resulting in less interest paid overall.

In other cases, such as when interest rates fall below your fixed rate, refinancing could lead to lower monthly payments.

If you're interested in refinancing your fixed-rate mortgage, talk to a mortgage banker about your options.

The types of loans guaranteed by government include Federal Housing Administration, or FHA loans, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA loans, and the US Department of Agriculture, or USDA loans. These loans are designed to help certain groups of borrowers, such as first-time homebuyers, veterans or those living in rural areas access affordable financing options.

No. Homes purchased with USDA loans must be your primary residence, not a vacation or investment property. However, this doesn't mean you have to be a first-time homebuyer. Repeat buyers can also qualify for this unique mortgage program.

You can use a home improvement loan for all sorts of repairs, renovations and remodeling projects around the house. Here are just a few examples of the possibilities:

Adding a garage
Building an outdoor entertainment space
Finishing a basement or attic
Installing a pool
Installing solar panels
Modernizing an older house
Putting an addition onto your home
Remodeling a bathroom
Upgrading a kitchen

No. Although a Veterans Affairs home loan must be used to purchase a primary residence, this doesn't mean you have to be a first-time homebuyer. For example, if you've paid off your VA loan and sold the house, you can apply for another VA loan to purchase your next home.

Yes. With a VA loan refinance, you have two refinance options to choose from: interest rate reduction refinancing or cash-out refinancing.

An interest rate reduction refinance loan, or IRRRL, allows you to refinance your VA home loan to a lower interest rate.

Cash-out refinancing allows you to take out a new mortgage for more than the previous loan, use the funds to repay the old loan and receive a cash payment for the remaining funds.

VA loans—like other government-backed loans such as FHA and USDA loans—can't be recast.

The minimum VA home loan term is 10 years, while the maximum term may last up to 30 years.

VA loans vary by state and county. The VA loan amount cannot exceed the amount designated for each county—the conforming loan limit—as set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA. The minimum dollar amount is fixed at $25,000. Find a mortgage banker for more information on VA loan limits.

Most new home construction loans cover up to 90% of the cost of the land on which the home will be built, as well as permits, building materials and contractor labor. Depending on the loan, permanent fixtures like landscaping and appliances may also be covered. Coverage of these permanent fixtures requires a finished marketable property as part of the final draw documents to be able to pay the builder in full and convert to a permanent loan.

A mortgage is a type of loan used to buy or refinance a house, plot of land or other real estate property. Most homebuyers get a mortgage to finance the purchase of their home.

With a mortgage, the borrower—or homebuyer—agrees to pay back the lender over a specified period of time with interest. The period of time, which is called a mortgage term, can vary from a few years to a few decades. The most common mortgage term is 30 years.

Interest is the cost for borrowing money, and interest rates vary depending on a number of factors ranging from the larger economic environment to the individual borrower's financial situation.

An adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, is a type of home loan that starts with a low interest rate—typically below the market rate—that may be adjusted periodically over the life of the loan. As a result of these changes, your monthly payments may also go up or down. Some lenders call this a variable-rate mortgage.

An FHA home loan is a special type of mortgage that's insured by the Federal Housing Administration, or FHA. It's designed to help borrowers purchase a home with a lower down payment or lower credit score than typically required.

Because FHA loans are backed by the government, they provide lenders with a loan guarantee. This makes it more likely that a lender will approve and close your FHA mortgage at a lower FHA loan interest rate and for less money down. FHA loans are perfect for first-time homebuyers.

An FHA mortgage is a type of home loan guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration. This mortgage program helps first-time homebuyers and those with moderate income get approved for a mortgage. Buyers benefit from lower FHA loan interest rates, flexible credit requirements and lower down payments.

You may be eligible for an FHA loan if you meet the following requirements:

Have steady work history and income
Meet the minimum age requirements for your state
Have a credit score above the lender's minimum requirements; the current minimum credit score is 620 for an FHA home loan at First Citizens
Are a US citizen

For more information, find a mortgage banker.

A fixed-rate mortgage is a home loan with an interest rate that stays the same throughout the entire term of the loan. This is in contrast to adjustable-rate mortgages, where the interest rate fluctuates based on market conditions.

A home renovation loan is a way for homeowners to finance repairs, renovations, additions and upgrades to their house. Renovation loans come in different forms and sizes depending on the individual borrower's needs. For example, home improvement loans can have a fixed or variable interest rate, and their terms can vary as well. Commonly, these loans come in 15-year and 30-year terms, effectively taking the place of your mortgage so you only have to pay one debt.

A jumbo loan is a type of mortgage in which the loan amount exceeds the limit set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA. A jumbo home loan is a loan designed for homeowners who need a larger loan than what a traditional loan program offers.

A medical professional mortgage is a specialized program designed to provide mortgages for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. This type of mortgage is tailored to accommodate the unique financial circumstances of medical professionals, who may have high student loan debt, limited work history or varying income challenges. Healthcare workers may benefit from lower down payment requirements, flexible debt-to-income ratios, reduced mortgage insurance premiums and specialized underwriting criteria.

A new home construction loan is a short-term, higher-interest loan that offers borrowers the funds required to build a residential property. This type of loan typically lasts 1 year, and construction must be completed during the time of the loan.

Mortgage refinancing occurs when a borrower applies for a new mortgage, usually at a lower interest rate. The newly approved mortgage loan replaces the first home loan.

Refinancing a mortgage can offer several benefits:

Lower interest rate
Lower monthly mortgage payment
Shorter mortgage repayment term
Utilizing home equity
Switching from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate

Contact your mortgage lender or banker to determine if refinancing a mortgage is right for you.

Income limits for USDA loans vary based on location and household size. Limits are adjusted according to an area's median income. You can check the income limit for your area through USDA loan requirements and eligibility guidelines.

A USDA home loan is a special type of mortgage backed by the US Department of Agriculture. These mortgages are part of the USDA's Rural Development Guaranteed Housing Loan Program. With great interest rates and no down payment necessary, USDA loans make homeownership more affordable to people in rural areas who might not qualify for conventional mortgage loans.

A VA loan is a special type of mortgage backed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA. It's designed to help service members and veterans purchase a primary residence, offering several unique benefits that make homeownership more attainable and affordable for those who qualify.

Loans with an origination balance above a specific amount, or conforming loan limit, are qualified as jumbo loans. What qualifies as a jumbo loan varies from state to state. Qualifications can change from year to year. Visit the Federal Housing Finance Agency to see conforming loan limits for your state.

Healthcare professionals who meet certain requirements for medical professional mortgages may qualify. These medical professionals generally include dentists, senior hospital administrators and executives, medical interns, residents, fellows and licensed physicians, including surgeons, optometrists, ophthalmologists, podiatrists, psychiatrists and osteopaths. Please note that specific eligibility requirements can vary among lenders. Some may require a minimum number of years in practice or a certain level of income. Additionally, programs providing mortgages for doctors, nurses and other healthcare practitioners may only be available to those who are actively practicing their profession and may not extend to retired healthcare professionals. Find a mortgage banker for more details.

Fixed-rate mortgages are a good choice for borrowers who want to know what their monthly payment will be each month. The consistency and predictability make fixed-rate mortgages a popular choice for long-term property holders.

Money Saver Mortgage

Most mortgages are originated and then sold to investors. If you've had a mortgage before, you're likely familiar with that standard process. The Money Saver Mortgage is intended to be held by First Citizens Bank.

The Money Saver Mortgage has shorter terms (up to 20 years for a fixed rate and 30 years for an adjustable rate), while traditional mortgages offer longer terms (up to 30 years fixed) and other features such as the ability to pay points for a lower interest rate.

If a traditional mortgage better suits your needs, your branch banker will be happy to make a seamless referral to a mortgage banker with the First Citizens Mortgage Division who can help you.

No. The rate on an ARM is fixed for a specific amount of time and then can adjust annually. A balloon loan calculates payments amortized over the length of the loan, but at the end of a set term it can either be called due or renegotiated. Balloon loans aren't available within the Money Saver Mortgage suite.

No. Buying down the rates is accomplished through prepaying interest in what's known as paying points. This isn't available with a Money Saver Mortgage.

No. With the Money Saver Mortgage, customers manage tax and insurance payments themselves. Escrow isn't available and isn't included in the monthly payments. Many customers set up a savings account with regular deposits to cover taxes and insurance when they're due.

No. The Money Saver Mortgage suite is only available for primary or secondary single-family residences (1 to 4 residential dwellings).

No. There's no penalties for paying off early.

Yes. A 2% adjustment cap.

Yes. A 6% lifetime adjustment cap.

Yes. It may adjust down or up based on current rates environment.

It will be based on 1-year Treasury rates.

Consult an accountant or a tax advisor to determine whether you can deduct the loan's interest on your tax return.

Yes. The customer is responsible for all closing costs, which can include appraisals, title searches, recording fees, intangible tax, etc.

A Money Saver Mortgage is a real estate secured loan that allows you to work with your local branch banker and often has lower upfront costs and a simpler and faster closing process.

Vehicle Insurance

The premium you pay is a direct reflection of your driving record for the past 3 to 5 years depending on the insurance company. Insurance companies order driving records from the DMV of your residence state and from other states where you've been licensed. Statistics show that drivers with tickets or accidents are more likely to have additional accidents than drivers with clean records.

In most cases, yes, as long as they have the permission or reasonable belief from the insured that they can use the vehicle. The insured is the person named on the vehicle insurance policy and their spouse, if applicable.

There are some exclusions, so you would need to look at your particular insurance policy to make sure. Remember, everyone in your household must be listed on your insurance policy if they have a license. For example, if a girlfriend you live with uses your car, she may not be covered if you didn't list her on your policy. On the other hand, if you live separately, she could use your car with your permission and be covered.

Most auto insurance policies pay the actual cash value (ACV) of a vehicle totaled in an accident. The ACV is equal to the market value of an auto immediately before the accident.

Insurers must use a fair and reasonable method to determine the value of your car. If you have concerns about their decision, you may be able to negotiate with your insurer by telling them why your car may have had more value than what the auto insurance company originally determined.

In most cases, yes. Auto insurance policies require every licensed person in your household to be listed on your policy unless they have a completely separate car insurance policy of their own. This includes a teenager who just received their license or a college student who still uses your address as their residence or visits regularly on weekends or vacations.

Sometimes the value of a car is less than the balance on your car loan. There can be several reasons for this. Interest rate changes may have increased the amount of your loan. Rebates may not have been applied to the purchase price, or poor maintenance of the auto may have reduced its value. The insurance company bases its payments on the actual cash value (ACV) of the car, not the amount of your loan. In some states you may be able to purchase a special type of insurance, known as guaranteed auto protection (GAP), when you buy a car. GAP insurance covers the difference between the ACV and your loan balance.

Collision coverage is when you have a collision with something like another car. Comprehensive coverage is when it's anything else other than a collision—such as damage from road debris, fire or theft. Most people would have both coverages when using their car on a regular basis. Sometimes when someone is just storing a car, they may only keep comprehensive coverage since they aren't using it on the road therefore, it's unlikely to be in a collision.

Many companies won't insure you if you live with a relative who has a poor driving record. If your teenager has a poor driving record, you may have trouble getting a preferred rate because they're defined as an insured under your policy.

Some companies will exclude that person by name from the insurance policy. Many companies won't insure anyone in the family unless every driver in the household meets their requirements.

The title is sent out 10 business days after the loan is paid in full.

When you purchase auto insurance, you're purchasing several types of protection, or coverage.

The typical car insurance policy covers you against potential costs related to property damages, medical expenses and other liabilities. If your policy includes collision and comprehensive coverage, damages to your vehicle will be covered. Your specific level of protection will depend on your policy.

Comprehensive car insurance generally covers acts of nature, like storm damage or fallen tree branches. Add-ons to your auto insurance coverage, called riders, can also be purchased to increase your coverage limits for specific needs.

With auto insurance, a deductible is the amount you agree to pay in the event of a claim. For example, if you have a $500 deductible on your car insurance policy and it sustains $3,000 worth of damages in an accident, you'll be responsible for $500 toward the repairs, with your insurance paying the rest.

Usually, a higher deductible will result in a lower premium. It's important to consider the right deductible for your plan to ensure you can comfortably afford to pay for any potential claims.

Almost every state has a minimum requirement for car insurance that you must carry. However, carrying the state minimum isn't always the best option. How much insurance you need depends on your specific situation, including the value of your assets, whether your car is owned or leased, your budget and other factors.

When thinking about how much car insurance you need, the 250/500/100 guideline is a common reference point. This rule means that your policy will cover up to $250,000 per person, $500,000 per accident for bodily injury liability and up to $100,000 per accident for property damage liability.

Auto insurance is a contract between you and the insuring company that protects you in the case of a covered accident. Car insurance helps pay for damages, including property damage and medical bills, depending on your specific plan. In exchange for paying a premium, your policy covers your losses and protects you from expenses you might otherwise have to pay. You're required by law to carry at least a minimum amount of auto insurance in almost all states.

Your auto insurance may cover you while you're driving a rental car, depending on the type of coverage you have. While car insurance typically follows the driver if they operate another car, there are limits you should ask your insurance agent about. For example, commercial driving and long-term rentals are typically not covered, and other exclusions may apply.

Yes. You can cancel your auto insurance any time you want. However, your coverage will end, requiring you to secure new coverage if you plan to continue driving the car. If you cancel your car insurance before the renewal date, a refund or partial refund might be applied to your unused premium.

Yes. To get started with buying car insurance online with First Citizens, please contact us. We'll follow up to help you find the right policy for your needs.

To apply for auto insurance, please contact us to get started. We'll ask you to provide some personal info along with a few details on your car to help see which policy meets your needs. As with most car insurance coverage, you'll have a choice of deductibles, features and options.

Property Insurance

No. While flood damage isn't covered by most homeowners insurance policies, we can provide a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program for additional coverage needs.

Most homeowners insurance policies cover a wide range of items, but they don't often cover everything one has. This void in coverage is usually due to the policy owner assuming that every item they have will be covered. They fail to let the insurance agent know of specialty items and specialty coverage they may need or be interested in. Talk with your insurance agent to decide whether you need additional coverage in the following areas:

Fine jewelry and collectibles
Home office equipment and home businesses
Identity theft
Excess liability (umbrella)
Flood

Most homeowners insurance policies have dollar limits on certain types of belongings. Generally, these limits are on silverware, guns, jewelry, watches, furs and computers. The limits usually cover losses of the average person. Talk to your agent or insurance company about increasing these limits to meet your individual needs.

Generally, insurance policies exclude damage caused by seepage, dry rot or vermin. This is because these problems are typically the result of poor maintenance rather than a sudden or accidental event.

You may not end up with the best homeowners coverage if you comparison shop by price. Your home is one of the most important purchases you'll make, so take the time to understand your insurance before you purchase it. It's one of the most important decisions you can make for yourself and your family.

You'll need enough homeowners insurance to cover the cost to rebuild your home at current construction costs. This amount doesn't include the cost of the land and isn't related to the price you paid for your home or its current market value, tax value or loan amount. Keep in mind that the cost of rebuilding your home could be more or less than the price you paid or could sell it for due to changes in construction costs.

Here are some things to consider when choosing how much homeowners insurance you need:

Local construction costs
Square footage of the structure
Type of exterior wall construction—frame, brick, stone or veneer
Style of the house
Number of rooms and bathrooms
Type of roof and materials used
Other structures on the premises, such as a garage or shed
Fireplaces, exterior trim and other special features like arched windows
Whether the house and parts of it, like a kitchen, were custom built
Home improvements that have added value to your home

Replacement-cost coverage within a homeowners insurance policy pays to replace your home and belongings with materials of like kind and quality at current prices, while actual cash-value policies reimburse the depreciated value.

The 80% rule is a guideline used by insurance companies to determine the minimum amount of coverage you should have on your home. According to the rule, your dwelling coverage should be equal to at least 80% of the replacement cost value of your home. The replacement cost value is the estimated cost to rebuild your home from scratch, including materials and labor, in the event of a total loss. Note that the replacement cost value and the market value of your home are different. Market value includes additional factors like land value and location. If the dwelling coverage on your policy is less than 80% of the replacement cost value, you may be subject to a penalty called coinsurance—an amount minus the percentage of the actual cost of the damage, which is paid by the insurance company.

Several factors affect the cost of homeowners insurance.

Location: Areas prone to natural disasters, such as hurricanes or earthquakes, typically have higher premiums.
Property value: More expensive homes typically have higher premiums.
Deductible amount: Choosing a higher deductible—the amount you must pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in—can lower your premium, but it also means you'll pay more in case of a claim.
Coverage limits: Higher coverage limits generally result in higher premiums.
Home features: Factors like the age of your home, its construction materials and safety features like security systems and fire alarms can influence the cost of insurance.
Claims history: If you've made previous claims on your homeowners insurance or if the property has a history of claims, it can affect the cost of coverage.

To get an accurate estimate of homeowners insurance costs, contact insurance providers and request quotes based on your specific circumstances. They'll consider these factors and provide you with a personalized premium amount.

Homeowners insurance typically covers the dwelling or structure of your home and other attached structures, including your garage and deck. Here's a breakdown of typical coverages within a homeowners policy.

Main dwelling: This coverage protects your home in the event of damage or destruction due to things like fire, lightning, windstorms and vandalism.
Other structures: This protects structures on your property that aren't attached to your home, like a detached garage, shed or fence
Personal property: Coverage includes your personal belongings like furniture, appliances, clothing and electronics in the event of theft, damage, or destruction due to covered perils both inside and outside your home
Liability: This may cover legal fees, medical expenses and settlements or judgments if someone is injured on your property or if you accidentally cause damage to someone else's property.
Additional living expenses: This coverage may help pay for temporary living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss—including hotel bills, meals and other costs incurred while your home is being repaired or rebuilt.
Medical bills: This coverage protects your finances if a guest is injured on your property, regardless of who's at fault.

Homeowners insurance isn't required by law in most cases. However, mortgage lenders typically require buyers to obtain homeowners insurance as a condition of a loan to protect their investment in case of any damage or loss to the property. Even if you own your home, homeowners insurance is still recommended so you can have protection and peace of mind in the event of property damage, theft, liability claims or other unforeseen events. It may help cover the cost of repairs or to rebuild your home, replace personal property or cover legal expenses if someone is hurt while on your property.

Although they're similar, hazard insurance and homeowners insurance aren't the same. Hazard insurance is a component of homeowners insurance that specifically covers damage to your property caused by specific hazards or perils, such as fire, lightning, windstorms, hail or vandalism. It helps protect your home and its contents against these specific risks. Homeowners insurance is a broader policy that typically includes hazard insurance along with other coverages. It provides protection for your dwelling in addition to your personal belongings, liability coverage if someone is injured on your property and additional living expenses if your home becomes temporarily uninhabitable due to a covered event.

Homeowners insurance is a type of insurance policy designed to protect you from financial loss due to damage, destruction or theft of their property if you own your home. A typical homeowners insurance policy provides coverage for your home and its contents, as well as liability protection if someone is injured on your property.

Pet Insurance

Items that can be reimbursed through Wellness Rewards include but aren't limited to:

Wellness exams
Vaccinations and titers
Flea, tick and heartworm medication
Spay and neuter surgery
Fecal exams
Routine blood tests
Microchipping
Umbilical hernia repair
Gastropexy
Toenail trimming
Routine anal gland expression
Routine chiropractic care, reiki, massage therapy and acupuncture
Teeth cleaning and dental illness
Prescription diet food purchased at your veterinarian
OFA and PennHIP exams, as well as X-rays
Nutritional supplements
Medicated shampoos
Behavioral, obedience and specialty training
Pet activity monitors
Grooming
Cremation and burial

Unlike human health insurance, pet insurance has no networks. Because it works based on a reimbursement method, you pay the vet directly and submit your claim, then the provider will pay you back. You can visit any veterinarian, specialist or emergency hospital you want.

You can downgrade your coverage at any time. Downgrading your coverage means anything that gives you less coverage. This could include lowering your annual maximum, lowering your reimbursement rate or increasing your deductible. You can also upgrade your coverage at any time. However, your policy would be subject to re-underwriting, which is basically like getting a new policy.

The deductible is the amount you're responsible for before reimbursements start. Like most other types of insurance, you're responsible for part of the cost. Some pet insurance deductibles are annual, including our provider's, which means you only have to meet your deductible once per policy term—not every vet visit, or once for every different type of condition, which is how other pet insurance deductibles are sometimes structured.

Most pet insurance plans are based on a reimbursement method, where you pay the veterinarian directly and then submit your claim, then the insurance provider pays you back. Because it works this way, you can choose any veterinarian, specialist or emergency hospital you want.

The pet insurance quotes you receive will depend on a variety of factors, including the pet's type, breed and age and the type of coverage requested. You can upgrade or downgrade your coverage at any time.

The coverage you get for pet insurance depends on the type of plan you choose. You could opt for a policy that covers you in case of an emergency, or you could add on optional coverage that covers some or all of the costs of maintenance and wellness care for your pet.

Pet insurance, also known as pet health insurance, is a type of plan an owner purchases in order to cover medical expenses for their pets. The owner often will pay a monthly or annual fee and then get reimbursed for paid medical expenses incurred during a vet visit.

Digital Banking/Overview

You can easily enroll in Digital Banking on our homepage by selecting the Enroll Now link located in the login box. You'll need an active First Citizens account to get started. If you don't have an account, you can open one online, visit your local branch or give us a call.

When logging in to Digital Banking for the first time, visit our homepage and select First Time Log In from the login box. Enter the login ID you selected when you opened your account, and follow the steps to receive and enter your one-time Secure Access Code.

If you'll be using the device regularly, we recommend selecting the option to Register Device to avoid entering a temporary Secure Access Code every time you log in.

You'll get immediate access to begin using Digital Banking once your enrollment is complete.

After you have logged in, select Profile and Preferences from the left navigation menu and then select Login Preferences. From this page you can reset your login ID, password and secure delivery method (the way you'll receive your one-time secure access code). If you're in the Digital Banking app, you can also manage fingerprint and 4-digit PIN access. If you can't log in, you'll have to call the Customer Care Center to have your secure login reset.

Your session will time out when there's no activity between your browser and our website for a certain period of time. Selecting buttons or following links creates activity between your browser and our website. However, typing into a field doesn't. If there's no activity for the specified timeout period, your Digital Banking session will end and you'll have to log back in.

There are several reasons you may need to register a browser or device again. Your browser settings could be configured to delete cookies or and browser cookies for Digital Banking may have been removed. You may use a browser plugin that automatically removes browser cookies when you close the browser. Or, you may have logged in with a different browser on the same registered computer. You'll also be asked to re-register your device if you've deleted and reinstalled the mobile banking app. If none of these situations apply, we may have reset all active registrations for all users for security reasons.

To log in for the first time or to register your device, you'll need to have access to at least one of your preferred contact methods to receive a one-time Secure Access Code. If you don't have access and need immediate assistance, please call the Customer Contact Center at 888-FC DIRECT (888-323-4732) from 8 am to 9 pm ET Monday through Friday or from 8 am to 8 pm ET Saturday and Sunday. You can also visit your local branch.

You can access First Citizens Digital Banking with an internet connection and a supported web browser or our mobile banking app.

The minimum system requirements for supported browsers include:

Google Chrome 88 and higher
Mozilla Firefox 86 and higher
Apple Safari 12 and higher (supported for Apple devices)
Microsoft Edge 88 and higher (supported for Windows devices)

Our mobile banking app supports all iPhone® and iPad® devices with operating system iOS 11 or later (iOS 11 and 12 are not fully supported). Our app also supports Android™ mobile and tablet devices with operating system Android 7.0 or later.

Note: Earlier versions of browsers and operating systems may still be able to access Digital Banking. However, certain features may not display or function correctly. Additional bug fixes and security enhancements may not be available on older versions. Experiences may differ across various browser, device and operating system combinations.

Yes. You can update your phone number, email address and mailing address within Profile and Preferences. From the left navigation menu select Profile and Preferences, then select Profile and Contact Info.

Yes. You can access your personal accounts through Digital Banking, including the mobile and tablet apps, if they are tied to your Digital Banking profile.

Direct deposit with your employer can be set up by downloading and filling out the direct deposit form (PDF).

You'll need to give the completed form, your First Citizens account and ABA routing number to your employer's payroll department.

Direct deposit of federal payments can be set up in several ways:

Enroll online at GoDirect.org
Call 800-333-1795
Visit your local First Citizens branch

Each account holder should enroll individually in First Citizens Digital Banking. You should never share your login ID and password. However, both account holders will see the joint account on digital banking. Because the Bill Pay service is associated with an individual, both customers may use the same checking account to pay their bills but can only see pending payments they schedule individually. Once the payments post, both customers can see them in the list of posted transactions on the account.

You can sign up for paperless statements with your First Citizens checking, savings, credit card and home equity line accounts.

Generally, yes. Your transaction history and balances for your First Citizens accounts are real-time. Balances and history for non-First Citizens accounts that have been added may be 1 to 2 business days behind due to how the data is made available from that bank.

The Online Activity Center contains all transactions initiated in Digital Banking, including checks deposited through mobile deposit. But you won't see transactions you make elsewhere, such as ATM withdrawals or debit card transactions. The Online Activity Center also shows the status of each electronic transaction as it moves from a drafted status to approved then processed. You can cancel pending transactions from this page.

The Account Details page is a record of processed and cleared transactions against your account from all sources. This may contain many of the same items that you will see on your bank statement. The Account Details page doesn't include transactions that have been drafted, approved or canceled in Digital Banking, only those that have already cleared or that will clear your account the next processing day.

It is likely that the pop-up box is being blocked by a pop-up blocker or a toolbar pop-up blocker. Make sure you have allowed pop-ups for Digital Banking in your browser settings. You can disable the pop-up blocker or add Digital Banking as an allowed site. If you still cannot see your e.statement, please make sure you have Adobe installed on your computer. Click here for help installing Adobe.

Your Digital Banking app should work outside of the US as long as your mobile service provider has internet service in the country you are visiting. However, First Citizens makes no guarantees about international coverage or availability. Check with your carrier for more information about international service coverage, roaming charges, Internet access, and message and data charges.

Digital Banking/Account Management

Manage My Money℠ is a powerful set of personal financial management tools available directly on our Digital Banking homepage and account details pages. It offers a set of features to help manage your personal finances and take control of your financial life by viewing all your accounts—even non-First Citizens accounts—in one place. You can view detailed account spending by category, set up and manage personal budgets, view your net worth and much more.

Yes. Manage My Money works on desktop and laptop computers, mobile phones and tablet devices.

No. Manage My Money doesn't cost anything.

You can view all of your accounts and transactions, including non-First Citizens accounts, in Manage My Money. These can include checking accounts, savings, credit cards, auto and personal loans, mortgages, investments, insurance, retirement plans and more. You can manually add accounts such as the equity in your home, a property without a mortgage, the value of a family heirloom or jewelry, paid-for vehicles and other assets using Add Manual Account. You can also use this feature to add non-First Citizens accounts that you're unable to add with the Link Account feature.

Yes. Your balances and transactions for First Citizens accounts are generally shown in real time. Balances and transaction history for non-First Citizens accounts will generally be a day behind, depending on when data is received from other banks.

Initially, Manage My Money will generally display up to 90 days of transaction history, then build on that history from the date you enroll.

Digital Banking/Mobile Banking

First Citizens doesn't charge fees to download or use the app on your mobile phone or tablet. There may be a fee for using services in Digital Banking. Refer to the Digital Banking Fee Schedule for more information. Your mobile carrier may charge you for data and text message usage. Check with your carrier for more information.

Before you can enroll in mobile banking, you'll need to have an active First Citizens account. If you don't already have an account with us, you can open a new account online.

Once you have an account, you can enroll in mobile banking by downloading the First Citizens app on your smartphone or tablet. On the login screen, navigate to Sign Up and complete the prompts to enroll in mobile banking.

First Citizens Digital Banking is a secure and convenient way to manage your finances online using your computer, tablet or mobile phone. When you use a mobile device to access Digital Banking, such as using the First Citizens app on your smartphone, that's called mobile banking.

You can access a wealth of great features with mobile banking, including:

Viewing your accounts and transaction history
Accessing account statements and tax documents
Depositing funds with Mobile Check Deposit
Paying bills and transferring money
Sending money to friends, family and others you trust with Zelle®
Managing your credit or debit cards quickly and easily—you can lock and unlock a card, activate a new card, change your PIN, report upcoming travel, report a lost or stolen card, and more
Checking FICO® Scores if you have a consumer loan, credit card or mortgage
Setting up text and email alerts to help monitor account and card activity

With mobile banking, you'll also have access to Manage My Money℠, a powerful tool with even more features. View your complete financial picture by linking all your accounts, even those with other financial institutions. You can track spending patterns, create budgets, understand your net worth and manage expenses, all in one convenient place.

First Citizens Mobile Check Deposit will accept several check types.

You can deposit:

Personal, business and government checks payable in US dollars
Checks drawn on a US bank
Checks payable and endorsed by the account holder

For full details, please refer to the Personal Digital Banking Agreement (PDF).

Our app supports all iPhone® and iPad® devices with the current iOS operating system, as well as the previous two versions. Our app also supports Android™ mobile and tablet devices with the current Android operating system, as well as the previous two versions.

Digital Banking/Payments and Transfers

You can transfer from any of your checking, savings, equity line or money market accounts.

You can transfer money between your First Citizens checking accounts, savings accounts or money market accounts—including accounts at other financial institutions.

You can also transfer to another First Citizens banking customer using our Pay Bank Customer feature, or our Transfer to Another Customer feature.

Yes. You're able to make outbound or inbound transfers within Digital Banking. To make an external transfer to another financial institution, you'll have to add the external account information and verify the account before it appears in your list of accounts.

Log in to Digital Banking, select Payments & Transfers and then select Add external transfer accounts. Follow instructions for how to add and verify your account.

Once verified, go back to Payments & Transfers and select Transfer funds between accounts to begin transferring funds.

Log in to Digital Banking, select Payments & Transfers and then select View transfer activity. Locate the recurring external transfer you want to cancel and delete.

Within Digital Banking, navigate to Profile & Preferences and select Account Preferences. Scroll down to External Transfer Accounts and select the account you'd like to remove. Click the trash can icon next to Delete account, then click Delete within the confirmation window.

Yes. First Citizens offers Bill Pay, which is secure, convenient and free. With Bill Pay, you can pay anyone in the United States from any device on a single page. You can also:

Pay a single bill or multiple bills at once, in seconds
Set up recurring payments and reminders
Receive bills electronically with eBills
Receive protection in the event of unauthorized transactions or processing delays

A checking account is required for Bill Pay. If it's a joint checking account, each account holder can use the same account for Bill Pay. However, each account holder should enroll in Digital Banking and Bill Pay independently—meaning that both account holders may use the same checking account to pay their bills, but will only see pending payments they schedule individually. Once the payments post, both customers will see them in the list of posted transactions on their account.

Digital Banking/Quicken and QuickBooks

Quicken® and QuickBooks® are types of financial management software. You can use Digital Banking to upload your transactions to this software to manage your finances.

If you need technical assistance, help getting started with your software or uploading transactions, please visit the Quicken® or QuickBooks® websites.

Before you begin using Quicken® or QuickBooks® websites:

Review the legal terms and conditions in our Digital Banking Agreement (PDF)
View our Digital Banking charges in our Digital Banking Fee Schedule
Contact us to enroll in Quicken® or QuickBooks®. Fill out the form and select Quicken or QuickBooks Enrollment from the What are you interested in? options menu. A representative will contact you within 2 business days to complete your enrollment.

To save the Quicken Web Connect data to your computer, do the following:

From within Quicken, click Edit then Preferences.
Next, select Quicken Program, then click the “Web Connect” option.
Check the box that reads “Give me the option of saving to a file whenever I download Web Connect data” and click OK.

Open your Quicken software.
Select the account you wish to access with Web Connect (checking, savings, etc.).
Click the Overview tab, located above the Register.
Under the Account Attributes section, click and select Change Online Services.
The Financial Institution name, located just above “Transaction Download”, must reflect “First Citizens Bank, Web Connect” to function properly. If the Financial Institution name does NOT reflect this name, click and select “Deactivate” in the Transaction Download option.
Once Transaction Download is deactivated, click the General Information tab at the top of the screen.
Under the “Financial Institution” box, double click to view a list of all banks that are compatible with Quickens online services. Click and select the Institution “First Citizens Bank, Web Connect”.
NOTE: If you are unable to locate “First Citizens Bank, Web Connect” in the list, click and select the One Step Update option. This option can be found under the Online menu, or simply by clicking the Update symbol next to the Back button. Uncheck all of the options under One Step Update, then select Update Now. This will update your Quicken software, which will also update your Financial Institution list to reflect the “First Citizens Bank, Web Connect” option.
Click back onto the Online Services tab.
Under the Transaction Download option, click the Activate button.
You'll then be directed to the First Citizens website, along with instructions on how to use Web Connect. Log into Digital Banking and attempt to download your transactions.
Once the transactions are downloaded, go back to your Quicken register. The downloaded transactions will be located just below your register.
Click Accept All to add any or all of the downloaded transactions to your register.

Digital Banking/Security and Alerts

Alerts can help you manage your money and stay in touch with your accounts any time through email or text message. Some security alerts are required and will keep you informed about changes to your online profile. Other alerts are optional and will notify you of specific activity occurring on your accounts, such as:

Online Security Alerts to notify you in the case of certain activity on your Digital Banking profile.
Account Alerts to notify you when certain transactions occur in your checking and savings accounts.
Card Alerts to notify you about your debit and credit card activity.

Security alerts are real-time emails or text alerts that tell you when your account has been accessed, when there's an attempt to change your login ID or password, or when changes are made to your profile. To learn more, log in to Digital Banking and select Alerts, then Security Alerts, or visit our Alerts page.

Yes. The first time you log in from a new device, you'll receive a one-time secure access code. If the device you’re accessing Digital Banking from is a computer you use often and always physically control, you may choose to register it. Then, whenever you log in, you'll be recognized on the computer. Never choose to register a public device.

A secure message is a correspondence between you and First Citizens Bank through the Message Center section of Digital Banking. You can send us a message if you have a question, encounter an issue or have general feedback and a representative will respond within 2 business days.

Secure login protects you from unauthorized online access to your accounts. It includes security layers that may be used to confirm your identity and also allows you to be sure you're at our secure online website before you enter your password.

Secure messages and certain alerts are delivered in real time. However, there are some alerts, such as a daily balance summary and a balance over/under alert that are sent each morning.

You can change your login ID and your password by selecting Forgot ID/Password? link in our login box. When changing your login ID or password, please follow these guidelines.

Login IDs must be 6 to 14 characters.
Your login ID can't be the same as your password.
Passwords are case sensitive and must be between 8 to 72 characters long, and must include at least one uppercase letter, one number and one special character.

If you've forgotten your user ID and your password, call our Customer Care Center to have your credentials reset.

If you enter an incorrect password too many times, your Digital Banking access will be denied. Please call the Customer Care Center at 888-FC DIRECT (888-323-4732) from 8 am to 9 pm ET Monday through Friday and from 8 am to 8 pm ET Saturday and Sunday.

Your account will be locked after repeated failed attempts. You must call the Customer Care Center to have your secure login reset. This will allow you to re-enroll next time you log in and select and answer new security questions. You can change your security questions anytime by logging into Digital Banking, going to the Customer Service tab, and clicking the Update My Profile link.

The most common reason for getting locked out of Digital Banking is typing an incorrect password. This usually happens when the caps lock is accidentally enabled. Your password is case sensitive. If you know you're typing in your password correctly and in the right case, you'll want to check the version of your browser. More than likely the browser you're using is not a current version, and you'll need to upgrade. If you're locked out, please use the Forgot ID/Password link or contact a Digital Banking representative to reset your password.

Yes. Security alerts are event-driven and are sent in real time.

Nothing prevents you from logging in to Digital Banking from an airport kiosk, a public library computer, a hotel lobby computer or any other public device, but those devices are at high risk of being modified by criminals to steal your user ID, password and security question answers. Features like Bill Pay can even be abused by criminal software to steal money while your are logged in without you knowing. If you can wait until you have access to a private device, please wait until then.

Alternatively, we offer mobile banking, which would be safer than using a public device.

After you have logged in, click the Customer Service tab and then the Update My Profile link. From this page you can reset your user ID, password and security questions. If you can't log in, you can call the Customer Care Center to have your secure login reset.

Several things influence your connection speed. Your computer and Internet connection are just part of the equation. When you connect to the bank there is an additional process of setting up security and authenticating your identity. The various levels of security involved influence this process. Once you are authenticated, we pull in your account information. Since we return information about all your accounts, the process may take a little longer than just asking for details on a single account.

To get the fastest speed possible, make sure you have a good Internet connection. Check with your Internet service provider to see if they have recommendations for faster connections.

Digital Banking/Zelle®

Zelle® is a fast, safe and easy way to send money directly between bank accounts in the US. With Zelle®, enrolled customers typically receive payments within minutes and don't incur transaction fees within our app. With just an email address or US mobile phone number, you can send Zelle® payments to people you trust, regardless of where they bank in the US.

You can send money to friends, family and others you trust. Because Zelle® payments are sent directly from your bank account to another person's bank account within minutes, it's important to only send money to people you trust, and always ensure you've used the correct email address or US mobile number.

If you don't know the person or aren't sure you'll get what you paid for—like items bought from an online bidding or sales site—you shouldn't use Zelle®. These transactions are potentially high risk, similar to sending cash to someone you don't know.

Neither First Citizens nor Zelle® offers a protection program for any authorized payments made with Zelle®—for example, if you don't receive the item you paid for or the item isn't as described or as you expected.

You can send, request or receive money with Zelle®. To get started, log into First Citizens Digital Banking and select Send Money with Zelle®. Enter your email address or US mobile phone number, receive a one-time verification code, enter it, accept terms and conditions, and you're ready to start sending and receiving with Zelle®.

To send money using Zelle®, simply select someone from your mobile device's contacts (or add a trusted recipient's email address or US mobile phone number), add the amount you'd like to send and an optional note, review, then select Send. In most cases, the money is available to your recipient in minutes.

To request money using Zelle®, choose Request, select the individual(s) from whom you'd like to request money, enter the amount you'd like to request, include an optional note, review and select Request. Payment requests to persons not already enrolled with Zelle® must be sent to an email address.

To receive money, just share your enrolled email address or US mobile phone number with a friend and ask them to send you money with Zelle®.

For your security, we limit the amount of money that can be sent from your accounts to others but not the amount you can receive. However, remember that the person sending you money will most likely have limits set by their own financial institution on the amount of money they can send you.

There are daily and rolling 30-day send limits, typically $1,000 per day and $3,500 per rolling 30-day period. Your limits may be different and are subject to change. Access yours by logging in to First Citizens Digital Banking and selecting Send Money with Zelle®.

If you've already enrolled with Zelle®, you don't need to take further action. The money will move directly into your bank account, typically within minutes.

If you have not yet enrolled with Zelle®, follow these steps:

Select the link provided in the payment notification you received through email or text message.
Select First Citizens Bank.
Follow the instructions provided on the page to enroll and receive your Zelle® payment. Pay attention to the email address or US mobile number where you received the payment notification. You should enroll with Zelle® using that email address or US mobile number to ensure you receive your money.

Zelle® is a great way to send money to family, friends and people you are familiar with such as your personal trainer, babysitter or neighbor.

Because money is sent directly from your bank account to another person's bank account within minutes, Zelle® should only be used to send money to friends, family and others you trust.

Neither First Citizens Bank nor Zelle® offers a protection program for any authorized payments made with Zelle®. For example, if you don't receive the item you paid for or the item isn't as described or as you expected.

If you don't know the person, or aren't sure you will get what you paid for (for example, items bought from an online bidding or sales site), you shouldn't use Zelle® for these types of transactions.

These transactions are potentially high risk (just like sending cash to a person you don't know is high risk). Neither First Citizens Bank nor Zelle® offers a protection program for any authorized payments made with Zelle®—for example, if you don't receive the item you paid for or the item isn't as described or as you expected.

No. First Citizens does not charge any fees to use Zelle® in the Digital Banking app. Your mobile carrier's messaging and data rates may apply.

It's easy. Zelle® is already available within First Citizens Digital Banking. Sign in to Digital Banking and follow a few simple steps to enroll with Zelle® today.

You can find a full list of participating banks and credit unions live with Zelle®.

If your recipient's bank isn't on the list, don't worry! The list of participating financial institutions is always growing, and your recipient can still use Zelle® by downloading the Zelle® app for Android and iOS.

To enroll with the Zelle® app, your recipient will enter their basic contact information, an email address and US mobile number, and a Visa® or Mastercard® debit card with a US-based account (does not include US territories). Zelle® does not accept debit cards associated with international deposit accounts or any credit cards.

When you enroll with Zelle® within First Citizens Digital Banking, your name, the name of your bank, and the email address or US mobile number you enrolled is shared with Zelle® (no sensitive account details are shared–those stay with First Citizens). When someone sends money to your enrolled email address or US mobile number, Zelle® looks up the email address or mobile number in its directory and notifies First Citizens of the incoming payment. First Citizens then directs the payment into your bank account, all while keeping your sensitive account details private.

In order to use Zelle®, the sender and recipient's bank accounts must be based in the US.

You can only cancel a payment if the person you sent money to hasn't yet enrolled with Zelle®. To check whether the payment is still pending because the recipient hasn't yet enrolled, you can go to your activity page, choose the payment you want to cancel and select Cancel This Payment.

If the person you sent money to has already enrolled with Zelle®, the money is sent directly to their bank account and cannot be canceled. This is why it's important to only send money to people you trust, and always ensure you've used the correct email address or US mobile number when sending money.

If you sent money to the wrong person, we recommend contacting the recipient and requesting the money back. Still having trouble? Please call the First Citizens Bank customer support team at 877-206-3818 or get in touch through our support page.

Yes. You can change or cancel your next scheduled payment any time before the send date. If you wish to edit the next scheduled payment, you can update the send date, amount, subject line and personal message without affecting future payments. You can also edit or cancel the entire recurring payment plan at any time.

Money sent with Zelle® is typically available to an enrolled recipient within minutes.

If you send money to someone who isn't enrolled with Zelle®, they will receive a notification prompting them to enroll. After enrollment, the money will move directly to your recipient's account, typically within minutes.

If your payment is pending, we recommend confirming that the person you sent money to has enrolled with Zelle® and that you entered the correct email address or US mobile phone number.

If you're waiting to receive money, you should check to see if you've received a payment notification via email or text message. If you haven't received a payment notification, we recommend following up with the sender to confirm they entered the correct email address or US mobile phone number.

Still having trouble? Please call the First Citizens Bank customer support team at 877-206-3818 or get in touch through our support page.

Yes. They will receive a notification through email or text message.

Keeping your money and information safe is a top priority for First Citizens. When you use Zelle® within our mobile app or online banking, your information is protected with the same technology we use to keep your bank account safe.

Your email address or US mobile phone number may already be enrolled with Zelle® at another bank or credit union. Call our customer support team and ask them to move your email address or US mobile phone number to First Citizens Bank so you can use it for Zelle®.

Once customer support moves your email address or US mobile phone number, it will be connected to your First Citizens account so you can start sending and receiving money with Zelle® through First Citizens Digital Banking. Please call the First Citizens Bank customer support team at 877-206-3818 for help.

Digital Banking/Digital Wallet

These digital wallets electronically store your payment information, allowing you to make contactless, secure purchases in stores, in apps and on the internet without having to show a physical credit card.

You can use these digital wallets at a variety of online and in-store retailers. Look for the contactless payment symbol at checkout.

Absolutely. You'll continue to earn rewards when you use your First Citizens eligible credit cards through purchases made with any of the digital wallets above.

Yes. Visa's Zero Liability Policy covers fraudulent purchases made with your First Citizens Visa credit and debit cards, even through any of the digital wallets above.

After completing a payment through Samsung Pay or Google Pay, a confirmation will appear on your device. With Apple Pay, a confirmation will appear in the Wallet app on your iPhone.

We're here to help. Contact us or learn more from Apple.

To add and set your default card, go to Wallet & Apple Pay in your iPhone settings.

Your card information is never stored on your device or Apple servers. Plus, when you pay, your card numbers are never shared by Apple with merchants.

We're here to help. Contact us or learn more from Google.

To add and set your default card, go to Google Pay app and select Cards. Tap the card you want to make your default and tap Set as default.

We're here to help. Contact us or learn more from Samsung.

Samsung Pay doesn't have a default card setting. The first card you see when you open the Simple Pay app is either the last card you registered or the last card you used.

Use any of our credit or debit cards except equity line and Visa gift cards.

Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.

FICO® and “the score lenders use” are registered trademarks of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Links to third-party websites may have a privacy policy different from First Citizens Bank and may provide less security than this website. First Citizens Bank and its affiliates are not responsible for the products, services and content on any third-party website.

Bank deposit products are offered by First Citizens Bank. Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. icon: sys-ehl.

NMLSR ID 503941

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