What are your branch hours?
- Branches are open 9-5 Weekdays
- Winooski Closes at 4 on Wednesdays
- Burlington Closes at 4 on Tuesdays
- Holiday closures will appear at the top of our webpage, on social media and on in profiles on Google Maps.
Where are your branch locations?
- 92 North Ave, Burlington
- 25 Winooski Falls Way, Winooski
How can you become a member of Opportunities Credit Union?
- Follow the instructions beginning on this page: https://www.mobicint.net/vcu/openAccount/start
How can you make a deposit after hours?
- Deposit checks or cash in the night deposit drop box at the Winooski Branch.
- Use the mobile app to deposit checks remotely at any time.
- Deposit checks or cash at our Burlington ATM or other COOP Network ATMs that take deposits.
Do you have a coin machine?
- We do not currently offer this service.
How do I open an account?
- Start here: https://www.mobicint.net/vcu/openAccount/start
- Or visit one of our branches and see a Member Services Representative.
Is there a minimum deposit?
- Yes, the minimum balance required to open a savings account is $25.00 and for a checking account, $50.00.
How can I get a debit card?
- Follow this link to open the checking account you are interested in, and Member Services will reach out to you about your card: https://www.oppsvt.org/checking-accounts/
How old do I have to be to get a debit card?
- You can open a debit card at 14 if you have a parent open the account with you.
How do I activate a debit card?
- Call us M-F from 8-5 at 802-654-4540 or call the number on the front of your card.
How do I handle a lost card?
- Contact the card services number on the back of your debit card: 1-888-263-3370, log in to your account here Sign in – Online Account Access (mobicint.net) or use the SecurLOCK Equip app.
How do I dispute a charge?
- Contact the card services number on the back of your debit card: 1-888-263-3370.
How do I unlock my online banking account?
- Call Member Services at 802-654-4540 during business hours.
Can you help me with fraud protection?
- Download the SecurLOCK Equip app to set up your personal fraud alerts.
Are my savings insured?
- Your account is insured for up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration: https://www.ncua.gov/support-services/share-insurance-fund
What other ATMs can I access for free?
- Opportunities is a member of the COOP network. There are no charges to use any ATM in this network.
- Use this link to find an ATM near you: https://www.co-opfs.org/Shared-Branches-ATMs
How do I wire money?
- Call Member Services at 802-654-4540
How do I transfer money?
- You can call Member Services at 802-654-4540 or logon to your mobile banking services.
What are your rates for CDs? Do they change?
- https://www.oppsvt.org/rate-board/
- Rates are subject to change, but once you purchase a CD, that rate remains the same until maturity.
Do my accounts have fees associated with them?
- There is no fee to open an account, but you must maintain a balance of $5.00 to be a member.
- Certain activity may trigger a fee. See here for more information: https://www.oppsvt.org/fee-schedule/
Are online accounts secure?
- For information on how to protect your information go here: https://www.oppsvt.org/staying-secure/.
Who has access to my data?
What makes the chip cards more secure?
- New “chip” cards, cards with EMV chips imbedded in them, are more secure than the older magnetic strip model because they make your card information much more difficult to skim or copy. Each time you use these cards, they generate a unique payment key just for that transaction.
- For more information, check out this link: https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/what-are-credit-card-chips-and-are-they-more-secure/
What is your routing number?
- 011692588
- This can be found at the bottom of any page on our website.
Will I get a tax form from Opportunities?
- We mail IRS form 1099-I after the end of the calendar year
Do you offer business accounts?
- Yes! We have two different checking accounts specially designed for your small and microbusiness needs: https://www.oppsvt.org/small-biz-checking-account/
What kind of business loans do you have?
- Opportunities has several products to help you manage and grow your business, like start-up loans, lines of credit, and loans to purchase business assets and commercial real estate. For more info, visit https://www.oppsvt.org/business-products/
How is a credit union different from a bank?
- Credit unions are cooperatives and are owned by their members.
Who can be a member?
- Opportunities serves the State of Vermont. For more information, visit: https://www.oppsvt.org/account-setup-page-1/
What does it mean to be a member of a credit union?
- Credit unions, while offering the same services as banks, frequently have favorable rates because we are non-profits. Credit Unions are also member-owned cooperatives, meaning that you have a voice in how we operate. Our credit union is committed to low-income Vermonters, and we are a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), which means that when you choose to deposit your money with us, you are not just building savings for yourself, but helping finance opportunity through your whole community.
Where are your bylaws?
- They can be found here: https://www.oppsvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Approved-Amended-Bylaws-2021.pdf
Who is on your Board?
- You can find our Board of Directors here: https://www.oppsvt.org/board-of-directors/
Where can I get your annual report?
Where are your financial statements?
- You can find financial statements in our annual reports: https://www.oppsvt.org/annual-report/
- How can I follow Opportunities on social media?
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OCUVT
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClgfDfbkcHILt1YW2SvZgSA
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/OCU
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/opportunities-credit-union
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oppsvt_cu/?hl=en
What is a Credit Score and why do I need one?
- “A credit score is a number between 300–850 that depicts a consumer’s creditworthiness. The higher the score, the better a borrower looks to potential lenders.”
- For further information, check out this link: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/credit_score.asp
- Can you help improve my credit score?
- Most likely, yes! Contact Money Sense for more info about our financial counseling services and how they can help you reach your financial goals: https://www.oppsvt.org/one-on-one/
Can you help me maintain my housing?
- Most likely. Contact Money Sense for more info about our financial counseling services: https://www.oppsvt.org/one-on-one/
What financial counseling services do you have?
- Our financial counseling staff offer advice on a number of subjects from budgeting, debt consolidation, home buying or maintaining housing, credit building and more. You can book an appointment with Money Sense here https://www.oppsvt.org/one-on-one/
- Do you have loans for saving energy?
- We do! Follow this link to learn more about our home energy improvement loan we offer in partnership with Efficiency Vermont: https://www.oppsvt.org/home-energy-loan/
- We also offer a special loan product for acquiring energy efficient appliances: https://www.oppsvt.org/energy-efficient-appliance-loan/
- How do I apply for a mortgage?
- Follow this link to begin applying for a mortgage: https://www.oppsvt.org/house/
Where can I get info about the mortgage interest I have paid?
- Interest paid year-to-date can be found on your mortgage statement. Sign up for Home Self Service to access your statements online: https://www.oppsvt.org/home-self-service/
How long does it take to get a mortgage?
- Once you apply, and are approved, the closing will occur between 30-45 days.
Is there maximum mortgage loan amount?
- There is a maximum mortgage limit of $600,000.
Do you have any mortgage assistance programs?
- Yes! Visit https://www.oppsvt.org/house/ to find more information about qualifying for down payment assistance.
What kinds of auto loans does Opportunities offer?
We have affordable loans for new and used vehicles, loans for refinancing, loans for electric bikes and other forms of transportation: To find more information on all of these, go here: https://www.oppsvt.org/personal-loans/ or call Member Services at 802-654-4540.
How are Opportunities’ loans different?
- We have relationships with community organizations so we can provide you with the best rate, and we offer financial products and services you can’t find at other lenders.
How is Opportunities different than other credit unions?
- Opportunities is a registered Low Income Credit Union (LICU) and a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and is committed to helping all Vermonters reach their financial goals. For our official statement, follow this link: https://www.oppsvt.org/why-ocu/
- What is a Low Income Credit Union?
Low Income Credit Unions are credit unions that have proven their commitment to serving low-income and other historically underserved populations in the realm of banking and finance. For more information, check out this site: https://www.mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/lowincome#:~:text=What%20is%20a%20Low%2DIncome,of%20NCUA%20Rules%20and%20Regulations%20.
What is a CDFI?
- CDFIs are lenders who have a proven commitment to providing fair financial outcomes to historically underserved populations.
- For more information, check out this page at Opportunity Finance Network, of whom we are a member: https://www.ofn.org/what-is-a-cdfi/
Where can I learn more about your work?
- To learn more about our impact check out this feed on our website: oppsvt.org/category/blog/.
- You can also find out more through our annual report or by following us on social media.
How do I download my account information into QuickBooks?
- Sign into your Opportunities account online
- Click the account with the transactions you want to import
- Click the three dots in the upper right of the account box and select “Export.” Select the CSV file option, indicate the date range, and click “Export.”
- Confirm that the CSV file has be saved to your device.
- Open QuickBooks and click “Banking” on the left panel.
- Click the dropdown arrow by “Link Account.” Select “Upload from file”.
- Instead of selecting a bank from the list, click “select a file” on the left.
- Choose the CSV file you saved and QuickBooks and import it.
What is the difference between and appraisal and a home inspection?
What are closing costs?
- These fees are in excess to your loan amount and are charged for the services needed to create and process the loan. They cover fees like a home appraisal, attorney costs, governmental fees, program fees, sale taxes, property taxes and other fees depending on the loan program and lender. Closing costs are separate of your down payment, they typically can’t be rolled into the loan amount when purchasing a home.
What is equity?
- Equity is the difference between how much your home is worth and home much you owe on your mortgage.
How do I know if I qualify for down payment assistance?
- Most down payment assistance programs are based on household income limits and household size. Different programs have different requirements. The best way to understand if you qualify is to reach out to a loan officer. Email mortgages@oppsvt.org to see if you qualify.
Why am I required to be a member to get a loan?
- Since we are a credit union, a democratically controlled organization, membership is required for all borrowers. The process is simple and only costs (a minimum deposit of $5 is required throughout the term of your loan).
