Personal Banking
Check Services
- Forms Online: Visit our https://www.firstent.org/forms/
Select "Forms" and then click on "CU Issued Check Stop Payment Request" Once you click the link, you’ll be directed to a landing page. Here's what to do next:- Enter your full name and email address to begin the process.
- If you're new to DocuSign or don’t have an account, no worries! You’ll be prompted to adopt a digital signature before completing the form.
- Please ensure all required information is completed, sign and submit the form.
- Visit one of our branches or call 888.800.3328 with the check number, amount. and payee.
- Mobile Deposit: Please load our Mobile Banking app from either the App Store or Google Play.
Step 1: Once you are logged into your account on the mobile app, click Deposit located on the bottom tool bar.
Step 2: Ensure your check is properly endorsed. Then select Got it, Let's go.
Step 3: Select the deposit account.
Step 4: Enter the deposit amount.
Step 5: Click on the camera icons to take pictures of the front and back of the check.
Step 6: Click Submit Deposit.
Step 7: After deposit is complete, keep the physical check for 30 days before destroying it to make sure the check posts properly.
- ATM or Shared Branch: To make a deposit through an ATM or shared branch, go to ATMs and Co-Op Branches to locate an ATM or shared branch near you. When depositing at a FirstEnt ATM, you can deposit up to 10 checks at a time, without the need of an envelope. The ATM will read each check independently, and will provide a total sum of the checks deposited.
- Mail: You can mail your check deposit to First Entertainment Credit Union, PO Box 100, Hollywood, CA 90078. Include a deposit slip. If you do not have one, you can print one out by clicking on the "Forms" tab on our website. Additionally, please add the member number along with the share number on the back of the check and deposit slip.
- By Phone: Contact us at 888.800.3328 to submit your request. Additional documentation or verification may be required.
- First Entertainment Location: Click here to Book an Appointment to skip the line.
- Shared Branching Location: To make cashier’s check withdrawal, go to ATMs and Co-Op Branches to locate shared branch near you. *Shared branch limits may apply.
- Digital Banking: Save time and money by issuing a cashier’s check to yourself by logging into your digital banking via Desktop. The check will be mailed to you and should arrive within 2 to 5 business days.
- Option 1. Visit any of our branch locations
- Option 2. Call us at 888-800-3328
- Go to "Account Services"
- Select "Reorder Checks" in the "Checking Services" box.
- The starting number for your checks
- How many boxes you would like
- What should be included on the imprinted portion
- Through Digital Banking or our Mobile App
- Login to your account
- Select "More Services"
- Choose "Stop Payment & Reorder Checks"
- Follow the prompts to stop the payment.
- Visit one of our branches or call 888.800.3328 with the check number, amount. and payee.
- Mobile Deposit: Please load our Mobile Banking app from either the App Store or GooglePlay.
- ATM: To make a deposit through an ATM, go to ATMs and Co-Op Branches to locate an ATM near you.
- Mail: You can mail your check deposit to First Entertainment Credit Union, PO Box 100, Hollywood, CA 90078. Include a deposit slip. If you do not have one, you can print one out by clicking on the "Forms" tab on our website.
- First Entertainment Location or ATM: Click here to Book an Appointment to skip the line.
Checking Accounts
- In Branch - You may go into any of our First Entertainment branch locations to close your Coogan account. Click here to Book an Appointment to skip the line.
- Over the phone - You may call us at 888.800.3328 to request to close out your Coogan account
- In Branch: Click here to Book an Appointment to skip the line.
- Message Center: Members can send a message through their online banking to request the checking account to be closed.
- Over the phone: Members can call in and request for their checking account to be closed. You may call us at 888.800.3328.
- Login to your digital banking account
- Navigate to "Open New Accounts"
- Click "Open New Checking"
- Click on "Apply Now"
- On the right side panel, select "Checking Accounts"
- Choose the account of your choice (Value or Advantage) and click "Apply"
- Select a funding account
- Enter a deposit amount (if you would like to open the account without funding it, enter "0"
- Choose whether you would like a debit card or not (Optional)
- Enter your employer name (Optional)
- Select your preferred contact method (Optional)
- Check the box on the bottom left if you accept the Terms & Conditions and select "Finish"
- Select More Services
- Click Opt-in to Overdraft
- Scroll down to review the service fee
- Here is where you can select to opt in or out.
- Select I Agree
- Click Save
- Click on More located on the bottom tool bar
- Select More Services
- Click Opt-in to Overdraft
- Scroll down to review the service fee
- Here is where you can select to opt in or out by clicking on Enroll
- Select Save
- In Branch - You may go into any of our First Entertainment branch locations. Click here to Book an Appointment to skip the line.
- Over the phone - You may call us at 888.800.3328.
- Direct Deposit: Direct deposit may be set up, if the child's payroll company offers the service.
- First Entertainment Location: Click here to Book an Appointment to skip the line.
- Shared Branch: To make a deposit through a shared branch, go to ATMs and Co-Op Branches to locate a shared branch near you.
- Mail: You can mail your check deposit to First Entertainment Credit Union, PO Box 100, Hollywood, CA 90078. Include a deposit slip. If you do not have one, you can print one out by clicking on the "Forms" tab on our website. Additionally, please add the member number along with the share number on the back of the check and deposit slip. *Non-employer deposits (personal funds, birthday gift checks, etc.) may also be deposited to Coogan accounts. Please remember that all deposited funds become the property of the minor and cannot be withdrawn except under established Coogan rules.*Deposits may be subject for return if not properly endorsed.
- Choose a Digital Wallet App
- Select a digital wallet app of your choice that supports card storage and mobile payments. First Entertainment supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
- Open the Digital Wallet App
- Launch the digital wallet app on your smartphone or mobile device. Make sure you have the latest version of the app installed.
- Tap on "Add Card" or Similar Option
- In the app's main menu or settings, locate the option to "Add Card", the "+" sign, or something similar.
- Choose the "Debit or Credit Card"
- Select the type of card you want to add: credit card or debit card.
- Enter Card Details
- Use your device's camera to scan the card, or manually enter the card information, including the card number, expiration date, and cardholder name. You may also need to enter the CVV code.
- Verify the Card
- Depending on the app, you might need to verify the card to prove your ownership. This can be done through SMS, email, or a call to the bank.
- Agree to Terms and Conditions
- Review and accept the terms and conditions for using the card in the digital wallet.
- Start Using Your Card
- You are now ready to begin using your card.
- You must be a member of First Entertainment or become a member and have a Prime Savings account.
- Eligibility is based on Chexsystems qualification and requirements.
- To apply for a Checking account or for more information regarding our checking accounts, please visit our Checking Account page for more information.
- Login to your account
- Select Checking Account from dashboard
- Click Details
- The 14 digits listed under Electronic Account Number is your account information
Debit Cards
Sometimes reaching for your wallet is like a multiple-choice test: How do you really want to pay?
While credit cards and debit cards may look almost identical, not all plastic is the same. There’s a difference in how transactions are processed and the protections offered when using your credit vs. debit card. Since a debit card is a direct line to your bank account, there are places where it can be wise to avoid handing it over — if for no other reason than complete peace of mind.
Here are 10 places and situations where it can pay to use your credit card over your debit card:
- Online:Using a debit card for online purchases should be avoided because the card is linked directly to your checking account. If you have a problem with a purchase or the card number gets stolen, money is taken out of your account right away and you may have to wait to get your money back until everything is sorted out.
The Federal Reserve’s Regulation E (Reg E) sets your liability for fraudulent purchases at $50. Some financial institutions, including First Entertainment, voluntarily set liability at $0.
These protections are great but don’t relieve you of the hassle of disputing the transaction to get your money back. If your account has a lower-than-expected balance, it can also cause problems in terms of fees and refused checks or payments. - Big-ticket items: With a big-ticket items, credit cards offer dispute rights if something goes wrong with the product or the purchase. There are fewer protections with a debit cards. Some credit cards even offer additional coverage, such as warrantees, insurance, etc.
- Security deposits: If you use your debit card to pay for a security deposit, the funds will be taken out of your checking account right away. If you use a credit card, the merchant still gets its security deposit, and you still have access to all the money in your checking account.
- Restaurants: There are two reasons not to use your debit card at restaurants. First, restaurants are one of the few places where your card leaves your sight when you use it, leaving you open to having your information stolen.
The other problem is that some establishments will approve a transaction for a higher amount than the actual purchase because they are assuming you intend to leave a tip. The amount of money frozen for the transaction could be quite a bit higher than the amount of your tab and it could be a few days before everything is sorted you get the cash back into your account. - First-time customer: If you’re purchasing something from a brick-and-mortar or online store, skip the debit card for the first couple of transactions. Get a feel for how the business is run, how you’re treated, and the quality of the merchandise before you hand over a card that links directly into your checking account.
- Buy now, take delivery later: If you are buying now but taking delivery days or weeks later, a credit card offers dispute rights that a debit card may not. Please be aware though, some credit cards limit the protection to a specific window of time, so settle any problems as soon as possible.
- Recurring payments: We’ve all heard how some places won’t stop billing a person’s card even after they cancel their membership. Now imagine the charges aren’t going onto your credit card, but instead coming right out of your bank account. There’s also the problem if you forget to deduct a recurring payment from your checkbook one month; you could face fees if you don’t have overdraft protection.
- Future travel: When you pay for your travel, the money is taken out of your account immediately. That means that money is gone for a trip you that you won’t take for a while, you’ll be out the money immediately!
Hotels aren’t immune to hackers and data breaches either and several name-brand establishments have been hit in the past. - Gas stations and hotels: Some gas stations and hotels will place a hold on your card to cover customers who may leave without settling the entire bill. That means that even though you only bought $10 in gas, you could have a temporary bank hold for $50 or even $100.
It’s the same with hotels, where there are sometimes holds or deposits to make sure you don’t run up a long-distance bill, empty the mini bar, or trash the room. The practice is almost unnoticeable if you’re using a credit card but can be problematic if you’re using a debit card and have just enough in the account to cover what you need.
Pro tip: At hotels, ask about deposits and holds before you present your card. At the gas pump, select the pin-number option, which should debit only the amount you've actually spent. - Checkouts or ATMs that look "off": Criminals are getting better with skimmers and planting them in places you'd never suspect -- like ATM machines on financial institution property.
Take a good look card reader the next time you use an ATM or self-check out lane. Does the machine fit together well or does something look off?? If you suspect it's been tampered with, think twice about using it.
Thinking of getting a credit card? First Entertainment Credit Union has you covered with multiple choices to fit your lifestyle. Find a Credit Card from First Entertainment Credit Union >>
- Log in to Digital Banking on either your mobile device or desktop computer.
- Go to "Card Management," then select "Manage Your Cards."
- Choose the specific card you wish to block.
- Under the "Block/Unblock Card" drop-down menu, slide the toggle to block your card.
- Confirm your decision to block the card.
- Your card is now blocked and cannot be used.
- Visit our firstent.org website
- Select "Banking" header on the home page
- Under Checking & ATM's, select Checking Accounts
- Click on Youth Checking to learn more
- On firstent.org, select Forms on the Home Page.
- Scroll down to "Disputed Transactions (DEBIT Card)". You will find three forms listed under this heading.
- Choose the one that best fits your situation and complete the form.
- You can report a Debit Card as lost or stolen by calling 800-544-7716
- You may visit any or our First Entertainment branch locations and report a debit card lost or stolen.
- You can report your debit card lost or stolen via online.
- Login to Digital Banking and select Card Management
- Select Card Management
- Click on Manage your cards.
- Choose the card you want to block.
- Login to Mobile Banking
- Click on More Services
- Select Card Management
- Click on Manage your cards.
- Choose the card you want to block.
Savings & Certificates
- Option 1. Visit any of our branch locations
- Option 2. Call us at 888.800.3328
- Option 3. Visit our website at Firstent.org
- Visit Firstent.org
- Select "Open an Account" on the Home Page
- Select Personal Account
- Follow the steps on the screen by first selecting your eligibility
- Open a web browser and go to Firstent.org.
- In the top right-hand corner of the webpage, click 'Login.'
- Enter your username and password.
- On the right-hand side of the dashboard, under 'Quick Links,' click on 'Rates.'
- Click on the link for Savings, Checking, Money Market, IRA & HSA rates."
- Click on the certificate account
- Click on Certificate Details
- Click on the Pencil under Maturity Payment Method to make changes to auto-renew, or close and transfer funds to checking or savings account
- Electronic funds transfers
- Wire transfers
- Mobile deposit
- In-person deposits (cash or checks)
- Select "Open New Accounts".
- Click "Open new Term Savings Certificate (CD)"
- Select "Apply Now to Open a New Deposit , CD, or Savings Account".
- Click "Term Savings Certificate (CD)".
- Select the term.
- Select the funding account where the funds will be pulled from to fund the Term Savings Certificate.
- Enter the opening deposit amount ($1,000 minimum).
- Review and confirm the account the funds are drawing from and the amount being used to fund the CD on the screen, and then select "Continue".
- Read the terms and conditions, and then click the box that states "I accept the terms and conditions states above", and then select "Finish".
- Verify the CD was successfully opened on the list of accounts shown on your main page.
- Select "More" on the tool bar.
- Click "Open New Accounts".
- Click "Open new Term Savings Certificate (CD)"
- Select "Apply Now to Open a New Deposit, CD, or Savings Account".
- Click "Term Savings Certificate" (CD).
- Select the term.
- Select the funding account where the funds will be pulled from to fund the Term Savings Certificate.
- Enter the opening deposit amount ($1,000 minimum).
- Select "Continue" to proceed to opening the account.
- Review and confirm the account the funds are drawing from and amount being used to fund the CD on the screen, and then select "Continue".
- Read the terms and conditions and then select "Accept".
- Verify the CD was successfully opened on the list of accounts shown on your main page on the app.
- Login to Digital Banking
- Navigate to "Open New Accounts" and select "Open New Term Savings Certificate (CD)"
- Click "Apply Now" and then "Term Savings Certificate (CD)"
- Select one of the CDs from the list by clicking "Apply"
- Select a funding account from the drop-down list
- Enter an opening deposit amount
- Check the box on the bottom left if you agree to the Terms & Conditions
- Click "Finish"
- Login to your digital banking account
- Navigate to "Open New Accounts"
- Click "Open New Savings"
- Click on "Apply Now"
- Select the Savings account you are applying for (Special Savings or Money Market)
- Click "Apply"
- Choose the funding account
- Enter a deposit amount (if you would like to open the account without funding it, entering "0". This does not apply to Money Market accounts)
- Click "Finish"
Zelle
- Members who wish to use Zelle for the first time at First Entertainment will need to enroll in the service before they may send or receive funds. Before enrolling a token, the member needs to meet the eligibility requirements below:
- Must have a personal checking account (Value or Advantage)
- Note: Savings accounts, Coogan Accounts, Trust Accounts, Money Market Accounts, and Business Accounts are not currently eligible for Zelle®
- Must be age 18 or older
- Must be enrolled and use Digital Banking
- Must not have any Court Ordered Blocks
- Must be eligible to be part of the Zelle® Network
- Membership extend past 90 days
- Must have a personal checking account (Value or Advantage)
- Log into Digital Banking at firstent.org or through the mobile app
- On Mobile, click on the Zelle Widget. On Desktop, hover Transfer and Pay, then click Send Money with Zelle.
- Upon accessing Zelle for the first time, select Get Startedto begin enrollment.
- Read and accept the program's terms and conditions, and then choose either your email address or phone number as the token you wish to enroll with.
- After selecting which token you would like to enroll, a one time passcode will be sent to the email address or phone number used
- The last step is to link Zelle to a personal checking account at First Entertainment and then you’ll be enrolled!
- Click on the Zelle® widget - sign on to First Entertainment Digital Banking, then click on the Zelle® Widget. If you’re not yet enrolled, you’ll be asked to accept our terms and conditions and enroll an e-mail address or U.S. mobile number, and link a deposit account so you can receive money with Zelle®.
- Add or select recipient - to add a recipient, select the “ + ” icon at the upper right of your screen and enter your recipient’s information. If your recipient is already in your list of recipients, select their name (on a smartphone) or the arrow to the right of their name (on a desktop or tablet) to continue.
- Enter amount and select your funding account - choose an account to fund your payment. Next, select Continue.
- Review and send - carefully review the details of your payment before you send it. If it’s the first time you’ve sent money to this recipient, we will send you an access code to help verify your identity. If your recipient’s U.S. mobile phone number or e-mail address is enrolled with Zelle®, we’ll display the name of the recipient on record before you continue (in some cases, this may only be a first name). After you send your payment, you’ll get a confirmation with the details of your payment.
- Recipient is notified - your recipient will be notified by e-mail or text message with the details of your payment and instructions on how to enroll to receive the money with Zelle® if they have not yet enrolled. If they have already enrolled, the payment will be deposited to their account, typically within minutes.
- Recipients must enroll to receive money - if your recipient is not enrolled with Zelle®, they’ll need to enroll to receive money. They will have fourteen (14) days to complete their one-time enrollment using the same e-mail address or U.S. mobile number you used to send them the payment. If your recipient does not enroll with Zelle® within 14 days, the money will be returned back to your account.
- Fake Fraud Alerts Texts Verifying Zelle®. Recently, some members have reported receiving fraud alert texts regarding Zelle® transactions. This alert is not from the credit union. It is coming from fraudsters impersonating us to acquire members’ online banking information. If successful, they may use Zelle® to begin sending money from the members’ accounts to their account.
- Depositing Checks from Unknown Sources. Fraudsters ask for a check to be deposited into your account and promise you can keep some of the money. The checks are often counterfeit and will be returned by the financial institution even after funds were made available.
- Requests for Personal Account Information: Scammers may mimic an account alert via email or text or call and pose as a First Entertainment employee so they can gain information like passwords or one-time passcodes and access your account.
- Offering an Item for Sale Online. Cyber criminals may offer something for sale and then ask for money to be sent as a deposit or for shipping and processing fees.
- Online Job Postings. Fraudsters may advertise false opportunities on job boards or social media. They will then send applicants a bad check to be deposited into their account. The fraudsters then request that a portion of the funds be immediately returned due to overpayment or for supplies, etc. The check is usually returned as fraudulent.
- Lottery Schemes. Fraudsters claim that they have won the lottery and offer to share a portion of the winnings if you to pay a processing fee or send a portion of funds back after using the same check deposit scheme above.
- Excitement: People often enter and win sweepstakes. Scammers will say you need to pay a fee before they can send your prize.
- Fear: Taxpayers sometimes owe money to the IRS, but the IRS doesn’t accept payments via Zelle®.
- Compassion: Friends and relatives sometimes ask for money. It’s a major red flag when someone pressures you to keep the transaction a secret.
- Treat Zelle® like cash. Zelle® does not offer a protection program for authorized transactions that turn out to be fraudulent, and once you hand over payment, it is difficult or impossible to get it back.
- Send money only to people you trust. Never send money to any stranger who contacts you through social media, claims to be from a government agency or First Entertainment, or asks you to send money to yourself.
- Never share your log-in credentials. Refrain from sharing your Digital Banking user ID or password with anyone under any circumstances.
- Double-check your payment details. If you erroneously send money to the wrong person or in the incorrect amount, or as a part of a scam, it may be impossible to get back.
- Use unique credentials. Protect your account by using a unique password within the First Entertainment mobile app. It is easier to use one password across many apps, but that heightens your vulnerability.
- Get familiar with the interface. Zelle® is primarily used for quick payments, and when you use it for the first time, you may make errors. Practice using the service by sending and receiving $1 with a trusted family member or friend.
- Raise a red flag on urgent payment requests. Sense-of-urgency and scare tactics are major red flags, such as a caller claiming to be from a company you do business with and threatening to shut off service if you don’t make a payment immediately.
- Protect your account. If your phone has been lost or stolen or if you notice suspicious activity with your online accounts, contact First Entertainment Member Services at 888.800.3328 or fill out the Zelle® Dispute Form.