Welcome to our FAQ page! This is where you can see frequently-asked questions and answers about online banking, mortgages, and more.
eStatement FAQ
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What are eStatements?
eStatements are an electronic version of your monthly account statement.
How much does it cost to get eStatements?
It’s FREE!
How do I enroll in eStatements?
You can enroll through your online banking service. Once logged into Online Banking, select the Documents tab, and follow the prompts on the screen to self-enroll or you can still receive eStatements through a separate login. Your primary email address will be setup to receive email notifications. Contact a representative in our Deposit Operations Department at 1-800-692-6279, option 1 during hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to take advantage of this option.
What accounts can I receive eStatements for?
You can receive eStatements on your personal checking, money market and statement savings accounts.
When will I receive my first eStatement?
You’ll begin to receive eStatements (and possibly one additional paper statement) after your signup is complete.
How will I know my eStatement is ready?
Each month, we’ll send you an e-mail message to your primary e-mail address on file. The message will inform you that your statement is available for viewing online.
What do I do if I am having trouble viewing my eStatement?
You can call a branch office or the Deposit Operations Department at 1-800-692-6279 option 1.
What if I forgot my login and password?
Online Banking Customers: contact the Deposit Operations Department for your login and for a forgotten password click on forgot password link.
Non-Online Banking Customers: contact the Deposit Operations Department for your login and for a forgotten password click on forgot password link.
What do I do if my e-mail address changes?
Online Banking Customer: after signing into your account, go to options, then the e-mail section were you can edit your email address.
Non-Online Banking Customers: go to the bookmark you established for the eStatements link to view your eStatements or navigate to the Bank’s eStatements page to login. Click on account access and then edit user settings where you can change your e-mail address.
How safe are eStatements?
Your account statement will no longer sit in your mailbox where anyone can take it. It is protected by individual passwords and encryption we will provide an e-mail notification to you and only you that it is available online to view. You will login into a secure website to retrieve it.
Are eStatements official documents that I can use for recordkeeping, taxes, etc.?
Yes, an eStatement can be treated exactly the same as a paper statement.
Is there any special software required on my PC?
To view your eStatement, you’ll need to have Adobe Reader version 9 or above on your PC. You may obtain a free copy during sign up. You will need Internet Explorer 7 or higher or Firefox 3.0 or higher, Chrome or Safari 4.0. Cookies and JavaScript must be enabled and the Pop-up blocker must be turned off or enabled for the site you will access to view your statements.
For more information, please contact us or contact any convenient branch office at 1-800-692-6279
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Mortgage Lending FAQ
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What is a pre-qualification?
A pre-qualification will estimate how much money a prospective homebuyer will be eligible to borrower before you actually apply for a mortgage loan. You must be prepared to provide basic information such as income, debts and assets. A pre-qualification is not a pre-approval or loan approval.
How important is my credit?
Your credit is an important consideration for determining your creditworthiness. Information in your credit report is prepared by a credit report bureau or credit-reporting agency. Any late payments or other adverse information contained in your credit report will receive additional review during the underwriting of your loan application, and may require further written explanation(s) or documentation from you as we consider your loan request.
How much money will I have to come up with to buy a home?
That depends on a number of factors, including the cost of the home and the type of mortgage you get. Generally, you need to have access to the funds to cover the following costs:
- Earnest Money
- Down Payment — A percentage of the cost of the home that you must pay at time of settlement. If less than 20% of the purchase price, private mortgage insurance is necessary.
- Closing Costs — The costs associated with the mortgage transaction.
What if I don't have enough for a 20% down payment?
Depending on your situation, there may be options to help you. If you are purchasing the home from a relative they can give you a gift of equity or monetary gift towards your down payment and closing costs. Mortgage insurance may be required if your down payment is less than 20% of the purchase price.
You may qualify for a First Time Home Buyer Grant, such as the First Front Door Program.
You can also come up with funds through the sale of assets (car, comic books, etc.) but proof of ownership and documentation of sale are required.
*Borrower must inject at least 3% of sale price from their own funds. Grant money is considered as if borrower’s own funds.
What are closing costs?
Closing costs cover all the fees and expenses associated with a mortgage loan transaction. These costs may include the following fees: appraisal, credit report, title insurance, bank fees, document preparation fees, recording fees, property transfer tax and points. The closing costs vary depending upon the loan product chosen.
What is title insurance and why do I need it?
The function of a title insurance company is to make sure your rights and interests to the property are clear, that the transfer of title takes place efficiently and correctly, and that your interests as a homebuyer are fully protected. Title insurance companies normally issue two type policies: a lender’s policy that covers the lending institution and the owner’s policy, which covers the homebuyer.
The title insurance assures the homebuyer that any valid claim against the property will be covered by the title insurance company.
What is Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)?
PMI is insurance provided by a non-governmental insurer that protects the lender against loss if the borrower defaults. Loans with a down payment of less than 20% of the purchase price require private mortgage insurance. Mortgage Insurance premiums are based on the loan-to value ratio, type of loan and the amount of coverage required by the lender. The premium is normally included in with your monthly mortgage payment.
Will I always have to pay Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)?
Federal Regulations require that PMI be canceled on a single family primary residence when the principal balance on the mortgage has been amortized down to 78% of the original property value.
What information do I need to apply for a loan?
We will ask for information about your employment, income, assets, debts and the property you wish to purchase, construct or refinance. Other information may be requested depending upon your situation.
What term (length of loan) is best for me?
Mortgages with longer terms have lower payments because the amount you owe is spread out over a longer period of time. For example, a 30-year mortgage will require lower payments than a 15-year mortgage. You owe the same principal amount in both instances, but have more time to pay it off with the 30-year term. However, a shorter term can offer a lower interest rate, which can save you a considerable amount of money as the loan amortizes.
If you can afford higher payments, you stand to save more altogether with a shorter term. If you’d prefer to pay less on a monthly basis, a longer term might be for you. Still not sure? Speak with one of our loan advisors, who can assess your situation and help you choose the term that works best for you.
What will my mortgage cover?
Most loans have 3 parts:
- Principal: the repayment of the amount you actually borrowed
- Interest: payment to the lender for the money you borrowed
- Property taxes: the annual city/county/school taxes assessed on your property divided by the number of mortgage payments you make in a year. During the life of the loan you will repay more in interest than you will in principal, because of the way mortgage loans are structured, you will pay mostly interest in the early years and mostly principal in the final years.
What do I need available when I apply for a mortgage?
You should have the following available:
- Social Security Numbers for all borrowers
- Copies of your checking and savings accounts for the past three months.
- Evidence of any other assets like stocks or bonds
- Recent pay-stubs detailing your earnings and two most recent years W-2’s.
- Two most recent years tax returns for self-employed applicants
- Evidence of Pension or Social Security income
If I refinance, do I need a new appraisal and credit report?
Yes, a new appraisal and credit report are necessary.
Why do I need to pay for another title insurance policy when we already own the property?
A new policy is necessary for the lender to be certain there are no liens, claims, or encumbrances against the property.
What is a cash-out refinance?
The difference between your loan balance and home value is called equity. If you’ve held your mortgage for some time, you probably have begun to reduce the outstanding principal on your loan and have built up some equity.
You may be able to refinance your home for more than you currently owe with a loan to value ratio of less than 80% to use the cash for home improvements, debt consolidation, college expenses or other major purchases.
If I have an existing mortgage loan with you do I have to qualify again?
Yes, you will have to qualify for a refinance loan.
Can I have my monthly payment transferred from my checking or savings account?
Yes, your monthly payment can be automatically deducted from your Citizens Savings Bank checking or savings account.
Is flood insurance required?
Federal regulations requires that we have a flood determination performed on your property prior to loan settlement and monitor the flood map changes for the life of your loan. If your insurable improvement is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area or Zone A as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA), we will require a flood insurance policy and we will maintain an escrow account for the premium payments.
Does it make sense to pay “points” to get a lower interest rate?
Paying “points” up front when you go to settlement with your mortgage will lower your interest rate but there are factors to consider. Each “point” will cost you 1% of your original loan amount at settlement. To determine whether it makes sense to pay discount “points,” you need to compare the cost of the discount points to the monthly savings created by lowering the interest rate.
To do so, divide the total cost of the discount points by the savings in each monthly payment. This calculation provides the number of payments you’ll have to make before you actually begin to save money by choosing to pay discount “points.” If the number of months it will take to regain the discount points is longer than you plan on holding this mortgage, you should consider an interest rate product that doesn’t require discount points.
What is the best way to determine the banks rates and total costs?
The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is required to be disclosed when advertising or providing the customer with the Federal Truth in Lending disclosures. Lenders are required to disclose the actual “cost” of borrowing and the APR is intended to make it easier to compare lenders and loan options. However, not all fees are included in the APR; fees such as the appraisal are not included although the customer is usually responsible for them.
The APR is not the actual interest rate. Your monthly principal and interest payment will be based on the actual interest rate, the loan amount and the term of your loan.
Are there any prepayment penalties?
There are no prepayment penalties on any of the loan products that Citizens offers.
What is the amount of homeowners insurance that will be required?
You will be required to insure the property for the lesser of the loan amount or guaranteed replacement value.
What are the benefits of buying a home versus renting?
Take a moment to review the following advantages and disadvantages to see how your situation fits in:
Renting
- Advantages
- More fixed costs for the term of the lease; when the lease is up you can just move
- Generally less work in maintaining a home or apartment
- Smaller “up-front” cash needed.
- Disadvantages
- No matter what happens with the value of the home, you will never gain equity — but the owner will
- Limited or no ability to personalize your living space
- No tax advantage to renting — your landlord gets all the available tax breaks
Buying
- Advantages
- Over time, the mortgage balance decreases and the equity builds, even if the value of the home does not increase
- You can remodel the home to match your needs
- There can be tax advantages attached to home ownership
- Disadvantages
- Variable costs
- Generally a larger initial investment, particularly with regard to the initial down payment
- If you want to move, home generally must be sold
- Improvements or maintenance work needs to be done by you and paid by you
- Value of home can decrease.
What if I’m having problems making my monthly mortgage payment?
Citizens Savings Bank fully supports efforts to help families cure delinquencies, avoid foreclosure and remain in their homes. Please contact Citizens Savings Bank directly at 1-800-692-6279 extension 671.
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