Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Nothing! A pre-approval letter is free and will provide you with the buying power you need to start your house hunt.

Want to learn more about what a pre-approval is and how it works? Watch our video.

If you choose a fixed rate mortgage, the rate you lock in during the loan process will be the rate you have for the life of your loan. A 30-year fixed rate mortgage is one of the most common, traditional types of loans, and can be a particularly attractive option when rates are low.

If you choose an adjustable rate mortgage (or “ARM”) your rate will likely vary over the life of the loan. Many ARMs have what is known as an introductory period in which your rate stays the same for a specified amount of time, followed by periodic rate adjustments for the remainder of the loan. In a "5/1 ARM," for instance, your introductory rate will stay the same for the first five years, and your rate may then adjust up or down each year thereafter. The introductory rates on ARMs are often lower than their fixed rate loan equivalents.

Most lenders offer a wide variety of fixed- and adjustable-rate home loan options (Solarity does!). Solarity's expert Home Loan Guides will help walk you through the loan options to help you find the one that’s best for you and your particular situation.

We do accept rolled coin at our Westside, Selah, Toppenish and Ellensburg branches. We do not accept rolled coin at our Yakima N. 5th branch due to weight restrictions.

You can use tap to pay anywhere you see the Contactless symbol. Millions of places worldwide accept Contactless payments, including fast-food, coffee shops, grocery stores, retail and more. Tapping to pay uses short-range wireless technology to make secure payments between a Contactless card or payment-enabled device and a Contactless-enabled checkout terminal. When you tap your card or device near the Contactless symbol, your payment is sent for authorization using a secure, one-time code. 

• Application fee - Application fees are standard when applying for any assistance, whether that be a home equity or conventional loan.
• Appraisal fee - An appraisal is required when you apply for any home equity or HELOC loan program because the amount that you are awarded is based partially on the amount of money that your house is worth. The lender is going to want an accurate and recent estimate to base their calculations on, so it’s important to plan on having an appraisal done on your home.
• Credit report fee - Depending on the lender, you may be required to pay a fee for running a credit report.
• Title search fee - A title search is a search that is run to make sure that you are the owner of your home before awarding a loan to the borrower.
• Attorney and notary fees - If you need a lawyer's assistance in drawing up any paperwork or need anything notarized, make sure to factor in some extra funds.

In order to get pre-approved, you will need to provide us with information about your credit, income, assets, debts and verify your identity with a driver's license or passport. Once we have the necessary information to determine the amount we are able to lend, we will provide you with a pre-approval letter as a tool to use in your home search.

Want to learn more about what a pre-approval is and how it works? Watch our video.

Follow these steps to send money to another member in online banking:

1. First, locate Transfers & Payments in the left sidebar and click the dropdown
2. Select Make a Transfer
3. In the first column, select the account where the funds will be coming from
4. In the middle column, select Another Member
5. In the last column, indicate when you’d like this transfer to take place, and if you’d like this transfer to be recurring
6. Provide and confirm the account number and last name on the account
7. You’ll have the option to save this information on your members list for easy transfers to this person in the future
8. Enter the payment amount
9. You have the option to enter a transaction memo for your records
10. Select Transfer Now
11. Confirm your transfer info is correct, and select Confirm Transfer
    

Points and credits are tools you can use to adjust your home loan rate up or down to suit your needs. “Taking credits” means accepting a higher interest rate on your loan in exchange for lower costs at closing. The opposite of taking credits is “paying points,” which involves paying more at the time of closing in exchange for a lower interest rate (and lower monthly payment).

When do these strategies make sense? Every buyer’s situation is unique, but one common scenario is that people who expect to refinance or sell their house within ten years often find it beneficial to take credits, while those who expect to stick with their home loan for the long haul can save money over time by paying points up front in exchange for a lower monthly payment.

At Solarity, our expert Home Loan Guides have your best interests at heart, and will help you explore your options and figure out what approach works best for you.

To get an accurate mortgage payoff amount, please reach out to us at 800.347.9222.

GAP Advantage lasts for the life of the loan or lease agreement on your vehicle. Once you have paid off your loan or lease agreement or you have sold the vehicle, the GAP insurance coverage is no longer necessary or applicable. Therefore, the length of time that GAP insurance lasts depends on the length of your loan or lease agreement. For example, if you choose to finance your vehicle over a longer period of time, such as 72 months, your GAP insurance coverage will last for the duration of the loan term.

When making your Solarity loan payment online, always use the zip code for your physical address, even if you have a mailing address on file.

Make A Payment

Contactless credit and debit cards can make checking out quick and easy: The tap-and-go process usually takes less than a second, which is faster than inserting or dipping a chip card—and way faster than using cash. And Contactless cards are just as secure as a chip card at a chip-enabled register. 

To add your Solarity Visa® to your mobile wallet, you will have the option to receive a one-time passcode via text or email. You can also select "Call Bank," which will route you to a Visa rep who will then assist you to verify your information and get your card activated in your wallet.

We have a few different ways we can verify your identity. If you happen to encounter this extra step, simply follow the instructions on your screen to verify your identity. This step is designed to prevent any fraudsters from using your credit card for online purchases.

This service automatically works at checkout at participating merchants. There is no need to download anything, install software or register for your account to get this added layer of protection. When using this service, you may occasionally be prompted at checkout to verify your identity, but this is to ensure you’re you and protect you from fraud.

If the appraisal comes in lower than the asking price of a home, you have options. First, you can increase your down payment to make up for the difference in value vs. asking price. This may be beneficial if you’ve found your dream home, but be cautious about paying more for a home than what it’s worth. You can also use the low appraisal as a negotiating tool to see if the seller will lower their asking price. Lenders will not lend higher than the appraised value of the home, so if the appraisal comes in low, you may be in a good position to renegotiate.

We can typically turn around a pre-approval letter very quickly - within 48 hours and a pre-qualification letter the same day. Supplying as much financial information as possible to our expert Home Loan Guides will move the process along quicker.

Want to learn more about what a pre-approval is and how it works? Watch our video.

No. Your county assessed value is not the true value of the home. The tax assessed value is an estimate used by the county to calculate property taxes based on your levy rate.

There is no cost to you for this service! Solarity covers the cost on your behalf to ensure you have this added protection and peace of mind.

In most cases, once a mortgage rate is “locked” it cannot be unlocked, so it’s important to thoroughly understand your lender’s policies before locking your rate. One example of what’s usually a permissible rate change is when a borrower decides to change their loan type, and moves (for example) from a 30-year fixed rate loan to a 10-year adjustable rate. If this happens, the lock is technically broken and a new product-appropriate rate would be locked in its place.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about rate locks! Your Home Loan Guide will be with you every step of the way to help you find the best scenario for you when it comes to products and pricing.

A pre-approval letter is a document that states the dollar amount a lender is willing to lend toward a Vancouver, WA home purchase. It is important to have it when you start house hunting because it will show both your real estate agent and the sellers' agent that you’re a serious and qualified buyer.

A home inspection is used to determine the condition of a home, while an appraisal is used to determine the real estate value. Both are necessary in the lending process as they will protect the buyer from paying too much for a home that would cost them more in the long run.

Solarity does not participate in shared branching. However, we do belong to the network of Money Pass ATMs. This partnership allows our members to withdraw cash from any Money Pass ATM without having to pay a fee.

• Good credit - Before issuing a loan, loan companies generally look for a credit score of 640 or higher. This can be flexible if there are extenuating circumstances, so keep in mind that this is a general rule of thumb and not a hard and fast rule.
• Low debt-to-income ratio - Just like when you’re applying for a mortgage or a conventional home loan, your ratio of debt-to-income should be 41% or less.
• Income rates - For most loans, the amount of income that you have will factor into whether or not you’re awarded the loan, as well as the amount that you receive.
• Consistent payment history - For a home equity loan, a history of reliable payments on your mortgage or other debts is extremely important. It serves as proof that they can rely on you to make steady payments on this loan as well.
• Percentage of equity in your home - Since equity is defined as the difference between what you owe on your house and the market value, this is an important factor for more lenders when considering awarding a home equity loan.

Definitely not (unless you want to)! You can do the ENTIRE process online, applying for a Solarity home loan from your home computer or mobile device. In addition, you can call our expert Vancouver, WA Home Loan Guides. If you walk into a branch, we can connect you with our Home Loan Guides that way, too!

We will work around your schedule and will communicate with you in the manner that's most convenient for you. We go to great lengths to make the entire process for you as easy as we can. You can even close the loan from your mobile phone (message and data rates may apply). We can't wait to help you get started! 

You may receive Visa^® Fraud Alerts via email or text message asking you to confirm the legitimacy of a transaction.

If the charges are either on your debit card or credit card, please contact our 24/7 fraud monitoring service at 855.219.8063. When you are finished speaking to the fraud department, please call our Contact Center at 800.347.9222, to order a new card.

Remember, Solarity will never ask you to disclose your PIN, expiration date or CVV number.

It is easy! You fill out an application, online or over the phone, and then submit the following:

• Proof of income
• Proof of homeowner’s insurance
• Most recent mortgage statement

Our team will connect with you to verify your identity and information. Our experts will then briefly go over the loan process and learn your goals to ensure you’re borrowing what you need. Once we have that, we send your application to underwriting. This is a team that closely looks at your information. During underwriting, the team utilizes an online appraisal tool to estimate the value of your home. If this tool has the information it needs, sometimes you can get same-day approval for your HELOC! If your home’s information is unavailable within the tool, we will have to schedule a  traditional appraisal, which can make the process take a little longer. Most HELOCs close in less than two weeks. Apply online to get started!

Our Smart ATMs utilize state-of-the-art technology that protects your money and privacy. The advanced screen design prevents others from viewing the screen unless they are standing directly in front of it. This ensures that only the person conducting the transaction can view the information being displayed.

Whether or not GAP insurance is worth it depends on your own unique circumstances and financial situation. If you have a high loan balance or are financing a car with a high-interest rate, GAP insurance may be worth it to ensure that you're not left with a significant amount of debt in the event of an accident or theft. Additionally, if you're buying a car that depreciates quickly, such as a luxury car or a car that's in high demand, GAP insurance can provide added protection and peace of mind.

Rates can fluctuate at any time until you lock your rate. Rate locks are in place for a specific time period which is determined at the time of lock. If you lock in your rate and close within the lock period, the rate you locked in will be your rate. Your Home Loan Guide can answer any questions about locking rates and rate changes.

Yes, we offer complimentary notary services for our members at all of our locations. Reach out to us via live chat or give us a call at 800.347.9222 to verify availability.

1. Fixed Interest Rates: RV loans typically have fixed interest rates, meaning your payments remain the same throughout the loan term, regardless of whether it spans a few years or a couple of decades.
2. Down Payment: RV loans require a down payment, typically ranging from 10% to 20% of the total loan amount. This upfront payment reduces the loan principal.
3. RV Inspections: Certain lenders may require RV inspections, which can cost between $200 and $1,200. These inspections assess the condition and value of the RV.

Follow the steps below to deposit your check using mobile deposit:

1. On the Accounts screen, click the Quick Menu icon located in the bottom right corner.
2. Click Mobile Deposit.
3. Use the Choose Account drop-down to select the account where you want to deposit the money.
4. In the Amount box, enter the amount you want to deposit.
5. Take a picture of the front and back of your check and follow the on-screen instruction to upload the photos.
6. Click Submit to complete the mobile deposit.

Download our app in the App Store or Google Play store.

When you apply for not only a home loan, but nearly any loan, your credit score will be one of the first things a lender views. Your credit score is used by lenders as a primary indicator of the likelihood that you will pay back a loan. As such, your credit score can have a significant impact on the rates and terms lenders offer you. The higher your credit score, the lower interest rate you will typically be offered.

If your score is not the greatest, don’t worry! There are other factors lenders take into consideration beyond credit score, and it’s in the lender’s best interest to help you find a solution.

To make your Solarity loan payment online, have the following information handy:

• Solarity account number
• Address (You’ll need to enter your physical address, even if you have a separate mailing address listed on your account.)
• Email address
• If you’re paying with a card, you’ll need the full card number and the expiration date
• If you’re paying directly from your bank account, you will need the full account number and routing number

A 'hard inquiry' occurs when a lender with whom you've applied for credit reviews your credit report as part of their decision-making process. This type of inquiry appears on your credit report and can influence your credit scores.

Too many hard inquiries in a short period of time can be concerning to lenders, but if there are multiple inquiries for a certain kind of credit – such as a car loan or a mortgage – in a short period, credit scoring models will treat them as a single inquiry, which will have a smaller impact on your credit score than multiple, separate inquiries.

According to credit reporting agency Experian, hard inquiries are only one of many factors used in calculating your credit scores and are rarely the reason you might be denied credit.

For your security, if you’re having trouble logging into your online banking account, reach out to one of our Financial Guides for assistance via online chat, or by calling 800.347.9222. They can unlock your account and assist you with any necessary updates to your credentials.

Follow these steps to view your eStatements in online banking:

1. Click the eStatements link to display the page.
2. Click the Statement Date link that you want to view.
3. View the selected statement as a PDF file.

Note: To view eStatements, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. If you do not have it, use the onscreen instructions to download and install a free copy.

Closing costs are the fees and expenses you pay for a home loan and are typically between 2% and 6% of the loan amount. Closing costs consist of lender fees—such as the loan origination fee and discount points—as well as third-party fees, escrow account funds and prepaids like taxes and insurance.  

At Solarity, we offer transparent loan pricing: our loan origination is a flat fee of $1,495 instead of the more common 1% of loan amount. The advantage of a flat fee is that no matter how large your loan is, your loan origination fee remains the same, which can save you money at closing. For example, other lenders typically charge a 1% loan origination fee. On a $300,000 home loan, that would be $3,000. With Solarity’s flat $1,495 loan origination fee, you would save in closing costs.

Lenders are required by law to clearly disclose closing costs at the bottom of Page 1 of the standardized Loan Estimate form, which you can explore here. Lenders must deliver this form within three days of receiving your application. Whether you’re buying or refinancing, it doesn’t cost anything to apply for a home loan at Solarity, and you can apply online in just a few minutes. Once we receive your application, we can estimate how much you’ll need to bring to closing.

Still have questions about closing costs? Connect with our expert Home Loan Guides who can clarify any further questions you may have.

No! While some lenders will charge a penalty if you pay down (or pay off) your home loan early, Solarity does not.

A pre-approval letter is a document that states the dollar amount a lender is willing to lend toward a Spokane County home purchase. It is important to have it when you start house hunting because it will show both your real estate agent and the sellers' agent that you’re a serious and qualified buyer.

If you’d like to apply for a vehicle loan or credit card visit the corresponding link.

These will take you to the correct application and give you instructions on what you need to complete the application process.

If you need any assistance along the way, give us a call at 800.347.9222, or chat with us online.

No. Appraisals must be ordered by Solarity Credit Union through a third-party. This helps ensure a fair valuation of the property for you and Solarity. The appraisal is paid for by the member.

Yes! This service was designed for both Visa credit and debit cards when shopping online. When you use your Visa debit card, your online transaction experience will be similar to a credit transaction.

Your credit score should never prevent you from applying for a home loan. While it’s always a great idea to try to improve your credit score, the right time to apply for a home loan is when you need a home loan. Your credit score is an important factor in the loan approval process, but it is only one of multiple factors.

Depositing Your Check

• Be sure to endorse your check just like always.
• Put your debit or ATM card into the card slot on the ATM. Select either English or Spanish and then enter your PIN when it is requested.
• Select the deposit option and then select either checking or savings.

Withdrawing Cash

• Indicate that you would like to do another transaction by pressing “yes.” The ATM will ask you to re-enter your PIN and then you can select the option to withdraw.
• Select either checking or savings and indicate the dollar amount you would like to withdraw. Once the cash is dispensed please, be sure to take your card and any receipts.

Please keep in mind the ATM may not allow an immediate withdrawal. If you do not have immediate access, please contact one of our Financial Guides to review your account by using live chat on our website or by calling 800.347.9222.

Certificates are similar to certificates of deposit (CDs), but certificates are issued by credit unions and CDs are issued by banks. At Solarity, we offer great rates on certificates with a variety of term options. Click here to view today's rates.

Solarity has a number of no down payment and low down payment options. For many loans, Private Mortgage Insurance or PMI may be required if you put less than 20% down. Read more about down payment requirements and saving for a down payment.

The friendly people you’ve come to know are still in our branches, but their role has expanded! They are now Branch Experience Guides and are there to help you use the Smart ATMs. They can also assist with connecting you with experts for more advanced banking needs – from opening a new account to applying for a loan. If you choose to use the drive-thru, we have tellers there to help you with your transaction.

An appraisal determines the estimated value of a home. Appraisals are typically in favor of the buyer, so don’t be too discouraged if this is what is holding up your closing date! The appraisal will keep you from paying too much for a home that’s not worth the asking price and can even be used as a great negotiating tool if the appraisal comes in lower than expected.

We do our best to be efficient with your time and also ensure you’re getting all of your financial needs met. We work quickly to connect you with the right expert. Thanks to our Smart ATMs, members can conduct most transactions on their own. If you need additional assistance, our team is thrilled to help you as soon as we are available. With Branch Experience Guides at the ready, the wait is not long! 

Each account holder is issued a unique debit card number. In the event one card is lost or stolen, we place a hold on only that card and the other account holder would be able to continue using their card.

Funds from each card will still be withdrawn from the same shared checking account.

If you choose a fixed rate mortgage, the rate you lock in during the loan process will be the rate you have for the life of your loan. A 30-year fixed rate mortgage is one of the most common, traditional types of loans, and can be a particularly attractive option when rates are low.

If you choose an adjustable rate mortgage (or “ARM”) your rate will likely vary over the life of the loan. Many ARMs have what is known as an introductory period in which your rate stays the same for a specified amount of time, followed by periodic rate adjustments for the remainder of the loan. In a "5/1 ARM," for instance, your introductory rate will stay the same for the first five years, and your rate may then adjust up or down each year thereafter. The introductory rates on ARMs are often lower than their fixed rate loan equivalents.

Most lenders offer a wide variety of fixed- and adjustable-rate home loan options (Solarity does!). Solarity's expert Vancouver, WA Home Loan Guides will help walk you through the loan options to help you find the one that’s best for you and your particular situation.

When using Bill Pay within the Online Banking website, the maximum amount you can send to a payee is $25,000. Using the mobile app, the maximum is $5,000.

A pre-approval letter is a document that states the dollar amount a lender is willing to lend toward a Yakima home purchase. It is important to have it when you start house hunting because it will show both your real estate agent and the sellers' agent that you’re a serious and qualified buyer.

If you choose a fixed rate mortgage, the rate you lock in during the loan process will be the rate you have for the life of your loan. A 30-year fixed rate mortgage is one of the most common, traditional types of loans, and can be a particularly attractive option when rates are low.

If you choose an adjustable rate mortgage (or “ARM”) your rate will likely vary over the life of the loan. Many ARMs have what is known as an introductory period in which your rate stays the same for a specified amount of time, followed by periodic rate adjustments for the remainder of the loan. In a "5/1 ARM," for instance, your introductory rate will stay the same for the first five years, and your rate may then adjust up or down each year thereafter. The introductory rates on ARMs are often lower than their fixed rate loan equivalents.

Most lenders offer a wide variety of fixed- and adjustable-rate home loan options (Solarity does!). Solarity's expert Spokane County Home Loan Guides will help walk you through the loan options to help you find the one that’s best for you and your particular situation.

If you are an existing member and a business owner, please connect with our team to see if we have the right product that fits your growing business needs.

We can't wait to help! Please utilize the chat feature on our website or call us at 800.347.9222.

Traveling is always an exciting time! One thing we don’t want you to worry about is access to your funds. However, traveling can cause a fraud alert on the card, which could restrict access to your funds.

The best way to avoid that if you are planning on traveling, is to add travel notes to your debit card and credit card. Then, if you use your card in the location you travel to, you won’t have any issues with using your funds. We can assist in adding travel notes to your cards through our live chat or call us at 800.347.9222 (select option 6).

You can also add a travel note through the Solarity mobile app under "card controls."

Typically, the appraiser will be on-site for an hour or two, and you should receive your appraisal within 5-7 business days of ordering. Several factors include the nature of the property, market conditions, the lender, the appraiser, etc. may impact this timeline.

Yes! We dedicate our expert Home Loan Guides to work with you from start to finish. They are the point of contact but you will be backed by an entire team who will be familiar with your home loan and can provide any support along the way.

Start by clicking “make a payment.”

• You will be directed to our online payment portal where you can make a one-time payment by clicking "pay now," or you can create an account to set up recurring payments.
• You will need to enter your account number, last name, and zip code to locate your loan account.
• Please make sure to complete all highlighted boxes to continue.
• The last page asks you to verify your payment information then click the agree and submit button.

If you need any assistance along the way, give us a call at 800.347.9222 or chat with us online.

A 'soft inquiry' occurs when you check your own credit or give permission to someone like a potential employer to check your credit. They also occur when lenders, insurance companies, or credit card companies check your credit to pre-approve you for offers. According to credit reporting agency Experian, soft inquiries do not appear on your credit reports and do not impact your credit scores.

To change the due date for your loan payment, you would need to sign a change in terms agreement. Simply give us a call at 800.347.9222 to get started.

When requesting a new due date, please keep in mind:

• You may only request to change your due date twice for the life of the loan
• The new due date may not be more than 15 days past the original due date

Within Bill Pay, you’ll have the option to set up a one-time payment, or recurring payments. Log in to online banking and follow the steps below to set up the payment you choose.

Make a one-time payment

• Find your payee on the payments dashboard
• Enter the payment amount and date
• Click Submit all payments

Set up a recurring payment

• Find your payee on the payments dashboard
• Select Make it recurring
• On the next screen, choose the pay from account, payment date, frequency, and first payment date
• Click Submit

Log In

Follow the steps below to order new checks.

If you are enrolled in  online banking, you can order new checks by clicking Order Checks under the Accounts tab.

If you are not enrolled in online banking, you can order new checks directly from the Harland Clarke website. You will need your account number, routing number, and zip code.

If you do not have internet access or have recently changed your address, give us a call at 800.347.9222 and we would be happy to assist.

A pre-approval letter is a document that states the dollar amount a lender is willing to lend toward a home purchase. It is important to have it when you start house hunting because it will show both your real estate agent and the sellers' agent that you’re a serious and qualified buyer.

If you’re current on your loan payments, PMI is automatically removed on the date the principal balance of your loan is scheduled to reach 78% of the original value of the property. You also have the right to request PMI be removed once your loan balance reaches 80% of the original value of the property, or the date the principal balance is scheduled to reach 80%.

Visa has developed a program that helps confirm your identity when you make an online purchase. This service helps make shopping online more secure by protecting against unauthorized use of your Visa card. There’s no need to download anything, install software, or register for an account. During an online purchase from your desktop, mobile or other digital device, you may be guided through an extra check to verify your identity. This helps us ensure you’re you and better protects you from fraud.

The cost of mechanical breakdown coverage can vary depending on a number of factors, including the make and model of your vehicle, mileage, the level of coverage you choose and the provider you select.

Give us a call at 800.347.9222 or click the "Chat" button for a free, no-obligation quote!

If your lock expires before you can close on your loan, don’t panic! There are options available. We offer the ability to extend locked loans, or depending on your situation, letting the lock expire and entering into a new lock might be the best option. Your Home Loan Guide will go over all of these options with you, and help you choose the one that works best for you.

There are multiple ways. At a minimum, the Homeowners Protection Act 1) allows you to ask for PMI to be removed when your loan balance falls to 80 percent, and 2) requires loan servicers to otherwise terminate PMI when your loan balance falls to 78 percent of the original balance. Some lenders have more generous policies, so be sure to ask. Refinancing your loan may be another early removal option if you believe your home has appreciated in value.  More about removing PMI.

Most lenders (roughly 90%) rely on something called a FICO score as the primary measure of how likely you are to repay the loan you’re applying for. The FICO score draws from all three major credit reporting agencies to assign you a credit score ranging from 300 to 850. You can learn more about how your FICO score is calculated.

Yes – in fact, it’s encouraged! Your Home Loan Guide will review your payment options with you as part of the loan process, and automatic payments are a safe and convenient method to help ensure your home loan payments are on time every month.

PMI is short for Private Mortgage Insurance, and it's typically required any time a borrow puts down less than 20% of a home's purchase price. PMI is paid for by the homeowner and increases their monthly mortgage payment. The purpose of PMI is to protect the lender if the borrower becomes unable to pay, as the lender is at greater risk when making a home loans with low down payments. Learn more about PMI.

We work with State National Insurance Company to process all of our insurance products. For questions on your insurance, you can contact State National Insurance at 866.576.7893.

If you need to fax your proof of insurance, you can do so at 877.266.8690.

If you know your reference ID and PIN you can visit the State National website to upload your insurance information.

Visit State National

• Higher closing costs ranging anywhere from 2% to 5% of the total loan amount.
• Variability in your interest rates, which could increase in the future.
• A set period of time during which you must draw out money.

• A lengthier and more complicated application period.

Yes. Visit our Commercial Real Estate page for more details.

Most instances of something unfamiliar on your credit report fall into one of these categories:

1. A creditor using a name you don’t recognize or have forgotten because you haven’t used that account recently.
2. An error in reporting by the creditor(s).
3. (Less frequently) Credit fraud.

In any case, if you are uncertain of an account on your credit report here are some initial first steps to take:

1. If you haven’t already, obtain an official copy of your credit report from www.anualcreditreport.com.
2. Review the details of the account information provided such as credit limit, original loan amount, and open date. These details often help identify oddly named accounts or confirm for you that the account is in error.
3. Contact the creditor listed on the credit report and request more information.
4. If you determine that the account does not belong to you, can dispute the information with the credit agency. They will also detail the options you have to put security alerts or other corrective or preventative measures in place, if desired.

A freeze can be placed on your credit through the three nationwide credit bureaus; Experian, Equifax and Transunion. Their contact information is below:

Equifax
800.685.1111

Experian
888.397.3742

TransUnion
888.909.8872

You'll need to supply your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number and other personal information to put a freeze on your credit.

After receiving your freeze request, each credit bureau will provide you with a unique PIN (personal identification number) or password. Keep the PIN or password in a safe place. You will need them if you choose to lift the freeze.

Our Branch Experience Guides are there to help in the event of a technology issue, and we will work to address the issue as quickly as possible.

Yes! Learn more by visiting our home loan purchase page.

On the mobile app: Once you open the app, enter your username and password on the first screen.

On a mobile device: Click ‘Menu’ in the upper right-hand corner of the homepage. On the next page enter your username in the box labeled ‘Login ID’. You will be prompted to enter your password on the following page.

On a desktop computer: In the upper right-hand corner of the homepage, click login and enter your username. Press the 'Login' key. You will be directed to enter your password on the following page.

Visit Online Banking

You can add GAP Advantage protection to your vehicle loan for a single, low, flat premium of $399. Additionally, we offer the convenience of including this cost in your loan balance.

Give us a call at 800.347.9222 or click the "Chat" button for a free, no-obligation quote!

Absolutely! You can add both GAP and MBP coverage to your vehicle at any time, regardless of when you purchased it.

Give us a call at 800.347.9222 or click the "Chat" button for a free, no-obligation quote!

• Current address
• Driver's license and Social Security number
• Two months of bank statements
• Income history for the past two years
• W-2s for the last two years and proof of income for the past 30 days
• List of current debts

Solarity Online Banking supports the latest versions of Chrome, Safari and Microsoft Edge. We strongly recommend using the latest versions of these browsers to ensure the best and safest online banking experience, as some features may not display or work properly with outdated or unsupported browsers.

GAP insurance and full coverage insurance are two different types of insurance that provide different types of coverage.

Full coverage insurance typically refers to a combination of liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage that covers damages to your vehicle in the event of an accident, theft, vandalism, or other covered events. However, full coverage insurance may not always cover the full value of your vehicle, especially if you have a new or expensive car.

GAP insurance, on the other hand, is designed to cover the "gap" between the actual cash value of your car and the amount you owe on your auto loan if your car is totaled or stolen. If you owe more on your car than it's worth, GAP insurance can help cover the difference.

So, if you have a new car or a car with a loan and you owe more on your loan than your car is worth, then you may want to consider getting GAP insurance to protect yourself financially in case of a total loss. However, if you have an older car or own your car outright and do not owe money on a loan, then GAP insurance may not be necessary.

Yes. In order to determine the amount of home you can afford, your lender will require your FICO score and any monthly debts.

Want to learn more about what a pre-approval is and how it works? Watch our video.

It varies, but typically a HELOC costs under $900 in application, processing, underwriting and online appraisal fees – no matter the amount borrowed. The cost could be higher if we have to order an in-person appraisal, for a professional to visit your home. However, it doesn’t cost anything to apply or have an initial conversation with us to find out if a HELOC is right for you. Apply online to get started.

You can make payments over the phone, however, there is a $10 processing fee. The options below are free of charge:

• You can transfer funds from you Solarity account to your Solarity loan through online banking or our mobile app.
• Automatic payments are a quick and effortless way to guarantee your payments are always made on time without hassle. You can enroll in automatic payments online and choose to either pay with a card or have the funds come directly from your financial institution.
• If you would prefer not to enroll online, but would still like the convenience of automatic payments, please fill out a Pre-Authorized Transfer form. Reach out to us via live chat, or give us a call at 800.347.9222, and we would be happy to assist.

Make a payment

Follow the steps below to add a payee to Bill Pay

1. Log in to online banking
2. Select Bill Pay
3. Hover over payees in the top left corner
4. Select add a payee
5. Select what type of payee (company, individual, bank or credit union)
6. Once you select you’ll be prompted to answer a security question
7. Next, tell us about your payee. For example, if it is going to an individual you’ll need their name and their account number
8. Once the information is added, you’ll need to activate the payee by selecting activate payee now and the method you’d like to receive the activation code.
9. Once the payee is active, you will be able to schedule payments to this payee.

Visit Online Banking

Anything! Many members use the equity in their home to pay off higher interest debt as well as for home renovations, college tuition, vacations or unexpected expenses. Our team is here to help you explore if a HELOC is the right fit for you. Apply online to get started. 

It is entirely possible to purchase a home while going through a divorce, although there may be a few additional pieces of documentation needed to ensure the purchase goes smoothly. You may be required to submit your legal separation agreement, property settlement agreement and any other documentation on division of assets signed by a judge. Talk to your lender to make sure you have all of the proper documentation needed to ensure you are the sole owner of the home you intend to purchase.

Depending on your specific situation, you may want to consider seeking legal advice before attempting to purchase a home while in the middle of a divorce to ensure that your property is not divided as part of the marital assets.

Follow the steps below to activate Apple Pay

Go to Wallet and tap Add Credit or Debit Card.

Follow the steps to add a new card. If you're asked to add the card that you use with iTunes, just enter its security code.

Tap Next. Your bank or card issuer will verify your information and decide if you can add your card to Apple Pay. If your bank or issuer needs more information to verify your card, they'll ask you for it. When you have the information, go back to Settings, Wallet & Apple Pay and tap your card.

After your bank or issuer verifies your card, you can start using Apple Pay

More Information

No, actual tapping is not necessary. Just hover your card within 1-2 inches of the Contactless symbol for 1-2 seconds.

In addition to filling out an application, you will be asked to submit the following:

• Proof of income
• Proof of homeowner’s insurance
• Most recent mortgage statement

Our team will connect with you to verify your identity and information. Our experts will then briefly go over the loan process and learn your goals to ensure you’re borrowing what you need. Apply online to get started.

Credit union deposits are insured by the NCUA for up to $250,000 per depositor for each account type, which is similar to the FDIC, which insures deposits held at banks for the same amount. That said, there are ways to structure your credit union accounts to increase your NCUA insurance coverage above this amount. You can do this by opening multiple accounts with different types of ownership, such as a single, joint, trust, corporation/partnership and self-directed retirement account (IRA).

Each account type is insured separately, so having multiple accounts with different ownership types can increase the amount of coverage. For example, this chart created by the NCUA shows how a family of three could be insured for up to $2,500,000.

Click on the “Open an Account” button.

Once you’ve selected the type of account you’d like to open, the application will walk you through what's needed to complete the process.

If you need assistance, call us at 800.347.9222 or chat with us online. We'll be happy to help.

Behind the scenes, this is a fairly complicated process! It involves market factors, loan products, and choices made by you, the borrower. Additionally, the current interest rate environment and rates set by the Federal Reserve play an important role, as does the competitive interest rate environment. Solarity monitors these and adjusts rates daily. The type of home loan you choose, the amount of your down payment and your credit score also affect your home loan rate.

As an equal housing opportunity lender, Solarity ensures that all of these factors are applied equally to each borrower according to strict guidelines. This helps prevent any form of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap or familial status.

As with all aspects of your home loan, your expert Home Loan Guide will partner with you to explore how variables like different loan types, points and credits and the size of your down payment can affect your home loan rate.

“HELOC” is short for home equity line of credit – a type of second mortgage. You can take out money from the line of credit when you need it and pay it back all at once or over time. A HELOC has a borrowing limit just like a credit card, but unlike a credit card, a HELOC is established for a set amount of time called a “draw period”. Solarity's draw period is five years. During that draw period, you’re typically required to make interest-only payments each month on any outstanding balance.

If you already have a card with Solarity, a new Contactless card will be automatically issued to you. No action required.

If a new debit or credit card is requested any time after February 2021, the requestor will receive a Contactless card.

To report a card lost or stolen, please call our toll free number 800.347.9222. You will be prompted to select "report my card lost or stolen" from the menu options.

If you're not sure if your card has been lost or stolen, and would like to turn it off temporarily, you may do so using the card controls option in the mobile app.

Download our mobile app.

Yes! Solarity offers skip payments for cars, trucks, boats and more.  Give us a call at 800.347.9222 or visit a branch to get started.

Absolutely! Here's why:

• Just like with a chip card, each transaction generates a one-time code.
• You can't pay accidentally—your card or device must be within 1- 2 inches of the terminal for the sale to take place. And even if you tap twice, you'll only be billed once. 
• Tapping to pay with your Visa Contactless card or payment-enabled device helps you avoid touching surfaces at checkout.

When you open an account at Solarity, you are given a member number. Most often a 6-digit number, it may contain a preceding ‘s’. Always omit the ‘s’ and use numeric characters only when making your Solarity loan payment. Your Solarity account number may look something like this: 0000123456-01. Do not enter the preceding zeros or the last two digits.

If you have questions regarding your account number or how to find it, please reach out to us via live chat, or call 800.347.9222.

Make A Payment

An appraisal is an estimation of a home’s value. An appraisal is determined by many factors; recent sales of similar properties, current market trends, location and condition of the home, number of bedroom and bathrooms, floor plan and square footage to name a few.

To better serve the needs of our members, we offer multiple ways to make a loan payment.

You can transfer funds from your Solarity account to your Solarity loan through online banking or our mobile app.

Automatic payments are a quick and effortless way to guarantee your payments are always made on time without hassle. You can enroll in automatic payments online and choose to either pay with a card or have the funds come directly from your financial institution.

If you would prefer not to enroll online, but would still like the convenience of automatic payments, fill out a Pre-Authorized Transfer form with your account information. If you need help, reach out to us via live chat, or give us a call at 800.347.9222, and we would be happy to assist.

No, you do not have to use Contactless payment. Even if the payment terminal has Contactless capability, you can still choose to insert or swipe your debit or credit card.

The short answer is "Yes!" Solarity is a bit of a unicorn in the home lending industry because we retain loan servicing for the life of your mortgage. Other lenders often outsource loan servicing to a third party, which can create hassles for you, the borrower. But not at Solarity! The servicing of your home loan stays with Solarity, which makes life easier for you because:

• You’ll always know who to call with questions.
• You’ll never have to change where you send your payment each month. So you can setup automatic recurring payments for even more convenience and peace of mind!
• You’ll have access to a complete history of your loan payments.
• You’ll work directly with us to resolve any issues or make changes to your loan, such as removing PMI or requesting mortgage relief.

The Federal Trade Commission requires all three nationwide credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to provide you with a free copy of your credit report every 12 months. You can request your reports online from annualcreditreport.com, or by calling 877.322.8222.

Your appraisal may look different depending on the type of property being appraised. Here are some samples provided by Fannie Mae for different home types:

1. For a typical home (uniform residential)
2. For a condominium (individual condo unit)
3. For an income property (small residential income)

Follow these steps to transfer funds in your mobile app:

1. On the Account screen, click the Quick Menu icon, then click Transfer
2. Use the From Account drop-down, to select the account you want to transfer money from
3. Use the To Account column, to select the account you want to transfer the money to
4. In the Amount to transfer column, enter the amount you want to transfer.
5. In the Memo field, enter any additional information about the transfer.
6. Click Submit to complete the transfer.

Download our mobile app.

App Store or Google Play

The credit bureaus understand rate shopping. If there are multiple hard inquiries for a certain kind of credit – such as a car loan, student loan or a mortgage – in a relatively short period, credit scoring models will treat them as a single inquiry, which will have a smaller impact on your credit score than multiple, separate hard inquiries. Soft inquiries do not impact your credit score.

Definitely not (unless you want to)! You can do the ENTIRE process online, applying for a Solarity home loan from your home computer or mobile device. In addition, you can call our expert Spokane County Home Loan Guides. If you walk into a branch, we can connect you with our Home Loan Guides that way, too!

We will work around your schedule and will communicate with you in the manner that's most convenient for you. We go to great lengths to make the entire process for you as easy as we can. You can even close the loan from your mobile phone (message and data rates may apply). We can't wait to help you get started! 

If you are depositing cash with multiple bills, the machine counts the bills one-by-one, which can take time if it’s a larger deposit. Our Branch Experience Guides are there to help you! Pease flag them or press the help button if you need assistance. They love helping our members as quickly and efficiently as possible so you can be in and out and on your way!

If you know your PIN and you want to change it, you can go to any Solarity ATM and select the option to change your PIN, then follow the prompts on the screen.

If you don’t know your PIN and need to reset it, please call in at 844.484.0052, and a representative can reset it for you.

This is an area where Solarity really shines. Unlike many lenders, Solarity retains the servicing of the vast majority of our home loans. This means that in all likelihood, you’ll have one place to send your payments and answer your questions for the life of your home loan.

When you open an account at Solarity, you are given a member number. Most often a 6-digit number, it may contain a preceding ‘s.’ Omit the ‘s’ and use numeric characters only when making your Solarity loan payment. Your Solarity account number may look something like this: 0000123456-01. Do not enter the preceding zeros or the last two digits.

If you have questions regarding your account number or how to find it, please reach out to us via live chat or call 800.347.9222.

Solarity offers a  wide variety of home loans to meet the needs of our borrowers. These include:

Conventional loans

• Fixed Rate Loans: 10, 15, 20, and 30 years
• ARMs (adjustable rate mortgages) loans with introductory rate periods of: 3, 5, 7, and 10 years
• Jumbo Loans

Government agency-backed loans, including:

• FHA
• USDA

Loans for home  purchases and  refinances

HELOCs (Home Equity Lines of Credit)

Real estate investment loans

The best part? Our expert Home Loan Guides partner with you to determine what options will best fit your budget and lifestyle.

The only fees you can expect to see with Solarity are your typical closing costs. These costs typically range between 2-5% of your total loan amount depending on your loan type. At Solarity we work hard to keep closing costs on the lower end of this range. Your loan officer will walk you through your closing costs before it’s time to sign on the dotted line to make sure there are no surprises and you understand what you’re paying for when you close.

Yes, your Solarity Visa card will continue to work as usual if the merchant isn’t participating. The transaction will still be protected by multiple layers of security and zero liability for fraudulent purchases.

Definitely not (unless you want to)! You can do the ENTIRE process online, applying for a Solarity home loan from your home computer or mobile device. In addition, you can call our expert Home Loan Guides. If you walk into a branch, we can connect you with our Home Loan Guides that way, too!

We will work around your schedule and will communicate with you in the manner that's most convenient for you. We go to great lengths to make the entire process for you as easy as we can. You can even close the loan from your mobile phone (message and data rates may apply). We can't wait to help you get started! 

We redesigned our branch lobbies with our members in mind! By utilizing our secure and easy-to-use Smart ATMs, you’ll spend less time waiting in line for basic transactions, freeing you up to consult with our Branch Experience Guides on more complex financial matters.

Your money has a hold on it until the check clears, which is the same process we’ve always had.  Just like when you deposit a check with a teller or from your phone, the funds may be placed on a short hold while the check is being reviewed. We do this to protect you in case there is an issue with the check.

We would love that! Please do. You can expect a consultative experience inside our branches. Because members can use our secure and easy-to-use Smart ATMs, our Branch Experience Guides are now freed up and available to help you with all your banking needs – from opening a new account to applying for a loan or just to say “hi.” If you are using a Smart ATM and need assistance, simply press the help button and a friendly face will be there to assist.

The term “short sale” describes a home that a lender is working with the current owner to sell for less than the amount owed on the property. A short sale can offer a unique buying opportunity, but can also be a more complicated transaction, as outlined in this article on  what you need to know before buying a short sale.

Your account number for a direct deposit may be different than the member account number. There are two account numbers associated with your account if you have a checking or savings which are 14 digits long. Your member number will be 5 to 6 digits long.

If you have checks, the checking account number will be found on those. If you do not have checks, we can provide the savings and checking account numbers via the phone at 800.347.9222 or through live chat on the website.

To make an external transfer in online banking:

1. Click on 'Transfers and Payments' in the menu
2. Click on 'External Transfer'
3. Click on ‘Pay a person’ (this includes transfers to yourself or another financial institution) 
4. Choose either ‘Direct deposit' (Electronic) or ‘Check’ 
   Note: To use the direct deposit option, you will need to know the routing number and account number of the recipient. If you do not know the routing and account numbers, you should choose to pay by 'Check.'
5. Add Payee information 
6. Schedule your transfer

*Please note, once a Payee is set up in online banking, you can make future external transfers from the Mobile App by selecting 'Bill Pay.'

If you have questions concerning your membership or its terms, please contact our Member Contact Center at 800.347.9222.

Mail for Solarity should be addressed to:
P.O. Box 2922
Yakima, WA 98907

Typically, Solarity is closed in observance of the following federal holidays:

January

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day

February

• President’s Day

May

• Memorial Day

June

• Juneteenth

July

• Independence Day

September

• Labor Day

October

• Indigenous Peoples’ Day

November

• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day

December

• Christmas Eve (close early)
• Christmas Day

Credit union deposits are federally insured, but not by the FDIC. Instead, they are insured by a separate government agency called the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). The NCUA insures deposits at credit unions, while the FDIC insures deposits at banks. Both the NCUA and FDIC offer the same amount of insurance for depositors.

Click here to read more.

• Insufficient home equity
• Poor credit score
• Unreliable source of income or employment history

• High debt-to-income ratio

It depends on a variety of factors, but in some cases, you can get approved the same day! Most of our HELOCs close in less than two weeks. The best way to ensure that the process moves quickly is to have all the information we request submitted at the time of your application. This includes proof of income, proof of homeowner’s insurance and your most recent mortgage statement. We can get working on your application right away. Apply online to get started!  

An appraisal won’t affect your property taxes in any way. A property assessment is needed to determine if your property taxes need to be reassessed.

We’re able to finance a wide variety of commercial properties including:

• Multi-family real estate
• Properties purchased by business entities, LLCs or corporations
• Mobile home parks
• Self-storage facilities
• Owner-occupied professional buildings
• Other commercial real estate

This is not an all-inclusive list – if you have a property you’re interested in, we’d like to hear about it and see what we can do to help.

To make the switch from paper to electronic statements, follow these four steps.

1. Log into online banking
2. Locate Settings then click Additional Services
3. Select eStatements
4. Then choose to change your accounts to eStatements to avoid the $4 per month paper statement fee.

Please note: If you don’t have access to online banking, you will need to enroll in online banking before you sign up for eStatements.

Yes.

Escrow typically plays two roles during our home loan process. First, an escrow account is used during the closing process to facilitate the transfer of money from you to the seller. Thereafter, a different type of escrow account is used over the life of your loan to make it easier for you as a homeowner to pay large, periodic payments (for things like property taxes and homeowner’s insurance) as part of your regular monthly home loan payment. Your loan officer will be happy to answer any questions you might have about either of these escrow processes.

Visa Account Updater (VAU), automatically sends cardholder data to participant merchants when the card information is updated. It offers a seamless account update process without the need for direct action on the part of the cardholder. For example, if your phone bill automatically charges to your credit card every month, without the VAU, you would need to update your card info yourself in the event of a new card. With VAU, Visa will send the updated card info to that merchant for you.

If you do not wish to have your card information automatically sent to participant merchants in the event of a new card, you can opt out by calling 800.347.9222.

Yes. While in theory, all home inspectors should do high quality work, just like in any business, there are those that excel and those that fall short. Here are some tips to ensure you’re choosing a reliable home inspector:

• If you trust the opinion of your lender or real estate agent, they can often refer you to inspectors they’ve had good experiences with in the past.
• Read online reviews. Talk to prospective inspectors, and consider asking for references.
• Verify that you can accompany your inspector while they go through the home.
• Confirm that your inspector is bonded and insured.
• Verify their experience, especially if your home type is not common.
• Request a sample inspection report.
• To help avoid conflicts of interest, verify the company you choose only does inspections and not home renovations or repairs.

Home loan rates are subject to change daily, and even multiple times a day in some cases. When you lock in your mortgage rate, you are saying “I choose the rate that’s in effect right now.” This can protect you from an increase in the rate between now and closing, but may also prevent you from getting a lower rate if interest rates drop before closing. It’s always a good idea to talk to our Home Loan Guides before locking in your rate.

Solarity membership is open to everyone! You qualify to join Solarity if one of the following applies:

• You live, work, worship or attend school in the state of Washington -or-
• You have a family member who is already a Solarity member -or-
• You are a member of the GoWest Foundation (you can easily join by becoming a “Friend of the Foundation” for a nominal donation)

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Solarity member, get in touch with us! We’ll explain all the options and help you get started.

Each member’s experience with the Smart ATMs will be different. The time it takes depends on many factors including how many and what type of transactions you need. Our Branch Experience Guides are there to help you every step of the way. Here is a video showing how our Smart ATMs work.

Here are some of the most common factors to consider when pricing a home. (Or negotiating the price of a home!)

1. Location
2. Size
3. Age
4. Historical sale price
5. The sale price of comparable homes in the area (known as “comps”)
6. Condition – including the number and quality of updates and renovations
7. The current housing market

A minimum of $200.00 is available immediately.

Yes, we certainly do! We offer personal loans that can be used for just about any purpose including debt consolidation, making a large purchase, home improvements and more. If you are considering a personal loan, you might also want to look at our Solarity Visa® credit card, with its competitive rates and no annual fee or cash advance fee.

To explore all your borrowing options, get in touch with us or start your application online. 

Checking the status of your loan or new account application is easy, simply fill out the  status form and provide us with your last name, email address, and social security number so we can locate your application.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us via chat, or give us a call at 800.347.9222.

Home improvements can be one of the most exciting parts of being a homeowner – depending on who you ask, of course! When deciding what to fix up next, it’s smart to consider not only what is valuable to you, but what might be valuable to others when (or if) you decide to sell your home. Here's a list of the 6 most valuable home improvements from Moving.com and Remodeling Magazine:

1. Upscale garage door replacement
2. Manufactured stone veneer on exterior
3. Wood deck addition
4. The kitchen (within reason)
5. Siding and vinyl window replacements
6. Bathroom remodel

If you’d like to apply for a home loan, visit  homeloans.solaritycu.org to get started.

If you need assistance, give our home lending team a call at 877.853.3297.

It only takes a few moments to enroll in online banking. You will need to have a valid email address on file and answer a few questions to verify your identity.

If a valid email address is not on file, give us a call at 800.347.9222, and we'll be happy to assist you.

Click here: Enroll In Online Banking

Third-party home loan fees are those charged by any party other than your lender during the processing of your loan. These fees are included as part of your closing costs, and often include:

• Appraisal
• Credit Report
• Escrow/Closing Fee
• Title Search
• Title Insurance
• Survey Fee
• Flood Certificate/Report
• Courier Fees
• Transfer Fees

If you know your password and would like to change it, visit Online Banking to login.

• Click on “settings” on the bottom left-hand side of your screen.
• From here you can update all your login settings including your credentials.
  

If you don’t remember your password and need to reset it, visit Online Banking, enter your username and click “I forgot my password.”

• You will receive an email with a link to reset your password.

If you need any assistance along the way, chat with us here online or give us a call at 800.347.9222.

You should be able to and if you're having issues, chat with us or call us at 800.347.9222.

Regulation D was a former federal regulation that limited withdrawals or outgoing transfers from a savings or money market account to no more than six non-signature transactions per month. But the federal government has suspended it due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Prior to April 2020, you could only transfer funds out of your savings account 6 times each month without providing a signature.

Once the monthly limit was reached, you could still make transfers without visiting a branch by using an ATM where your PIN acts as a digital signature.

If you have any questions regarding Regulation D, feel free to give us a call at 800.347.9222 or chat with us online.

It’s important to have your current mailing and physical address on file with the credit union. That way, we can reach you in case of an issue with your account or when sending you important financial information, including credit and debit cards. To verify, update, and add to the addresses you have on file, you’ll need a login for online banking.

Then follow these five steps:

• Step 1: Login to online banking.
• Step 2: Choose Settings on the left.
• Step 3: Select Contact Information from the menu.
• Step 4: To the right, click Add separate mailing address under the Address setting. You can also click your current address if it needs an update.
• Step 5: Enter your new address and click Save.

Please note: you may be asked to enter a PIN that will be sent to your email address, for added security.

The average annual cost of PMI ranges from 0.55% to 2.25% of the original loan amount, according to a recent study by the Urban Institute. Your specific cost will depend on your loan terms, your credit score, and your lender. A higher down payment and/or higher credit score result in a lower PMI cost. Solarity has negotiated reduced PMI premiums for our members. Learn all about PMI.

Follow these steps to send money to another member in online banking:

1. First, locate Transfers & Payments in the left sidebar and click the dropdown
2. Select Make a Transfer
3. In the first column, select the account where the funds will be coming from
4. In the middle column, select Another Member
5. In the last column, indicate when you’d like this transfer to take place, and if you’d like this transfer to be recurring.
6. Provide and confirm the account number, and last name on the account.
7. You’ll have the option to save this information on your members list for easy transfers to this person in the future
8. Enter the payment amount
9. You have the option to enter a transaction memo for your records
10. Select Transfer Now
11. Confirm your transfer info is correct, and select Confirm Transfer

Visit Online Banking

Solarity does not offer private party loans on vehicles, motor homes, travel trailers, campers, fifth wheels, boats and jet skis.

A personal loan is an alternative to the private party loan that you can apply for with Solarity. If you would like more information about personal loans, please contact us at 800.347.9222 option 6 or through our online chat. Apply for a personal loan here.

We do offer vehicle loans and you can learn more here.

Solarity does not offer construction loans at this time.

This largely depends on the nature of your loan and how quickly you can provide your loan officer with requested information. In some cases, we have been able to close home loans in two and a half weeks! We are proud of the speed of our process, and continuously working to make it shorter and easier for you. Our average time to close is 15 days faster than the national average according to industry data provided by Ellie Mae.

A typical mortgage payment will include principal and interest. Some will also require your property taxes and insurance to be collected for what is called an escrow account. Insurance includes homeowner’s insurance and  PMI, if applicable. You will receive an itemized breakdown of your monthly mortgage payment before you close on your loan, including if you are required to have an escrow account to pay your homeowners insurance and property taxes on your behalf when they are due.

To lock your rate, simply notify your Home Loan Guide that you’re ready to lock your rate, AND receive confirmation from him or her that the lock is complete. We will be happy to walk you through the locking process and the lock options available to you.

Our routing number is 325183738. Additionally, you can find the routing number followed by your full 14-digit account number on the bottom of your checks. If you do not have checks and need to know your account number, reach out to us via live chat, or give us a call at 800.347.9222.

No. The appraisal must be initiated and ordered by Solarity Credit Union.

If you choose a fixed rate mortgage, the rate you lock in during the loan process will be the rate you have for the life of your loan. A 30-year fixed rate mortgage is one of the most common, traditional types of loans, and can be a particularly attractive option when rates are low.

If you choose an adjustable rate mortgage (or “ARM”) your rate will likely vary over the life of the loan. Many ARMs have what is known as an introductory period in which your rate stays the same for a specified amount of time, followed by periodic rate adjustments for the remainder of the loan. In a "5/1 ARM," for instance, your introductory rate will stay the same for the first five years, and your rate may then adjust up or down each year thereafter. The introductory rates on ARMs are often lower than their fixed rate loan equivalents.

Most lenders offer a wide variety of fixed- and adjustable-rate home loan options (Solarity does!). Solarity's expert Yakima Home Loan Guides will help walk you through the loan options to help you find the one that’s best for you and your particular situation.

There are a few factors to consider when trying to determine how much money you’ll need to purchase a home. First are the one-time expenses and then of course your ongoing expenses. Let’s break it down a bit further.

One-time Expenses

• Down Payment – In a perfect world, your down payment would be at least 20% of the total price of the home. Don’t worry! There are many loan options and programs that bring that down payment requirement all the way down to 5%, 3%, or even 0%.
• Closing Costs – Closing costs typically range between two and six percent of the home price. These costs go to the lender, appraisal company, title company and other third-parties involved in completing your home loan.

Ongoing Expenses

• Mortgage Payments – This one is pretty standard, right? Just make sure you consider other expenses that may or may not be included in your monthly payment.
• Property Taxes – Property taxes can fluctuate, so while these may be included in your monthly payment, don’t be surprised if your payment fluctuates year over year.
• Homeowner’s Insurance – All lenders will require a borrower to have homeowner’s insurance. The cost for this insurance varies by location and other risk factors like whether or not your home is in a flood zone.
• Mortgage Insurance – If your down payment is less than 20%, then you will be required to pay mortgage insurance. In most instances this is already included in your monthly payment.

Keep in mind, these costs don’t cover monthly utilities such as heat and power. It’s important to take all your monthly expenses into consideration when budgeting for a home. Don’t be daunted! Solarity's expert Home Loan Guides will walk you through your options and help you figure out how much home you can afford!

Opening an account is easy! You can do it online in less than five minutes.

If you’re new to Solarity and wish to become a member,  start here. If you’re already a member and would like to open additional accounts,  start here.

You will need:

• Government issued ID/Drivers License/State ID or Passport
• Your complete physical and mailing address
• Social Security number
• Date of birth

Please allow one business day for us to process your account application. If you have any questions, please feel free to connect with us using the blue "Chat" button below. Or call us at 800.347.9222.

We provide a 15-day grace period on auto loans before a late fee is charged to your loan. If you are having trouble making your loan payments, please reach out to us at 800.347.9222 and ask to talk with our Debt Solutions department who is happy to discuss your options.

You can make your payment online at any time.

No, however, currency exchange services are available at most retail banks. Here's a handy link to find a location: Where to exchange.

1098 tax statements are mailed to members each year by January 31. If you are signed up for eStatements you need to access your tax statement through online banking.

Members who have paid less than $600 in interest are not issued a 1098. Your total interest paid for the year is also included in your December account statement, if you would like to view your tax information prior to January 31.

1. Log in to online banking and in the navigation, click on the "Transfers & Payments" category then select "Bill Pay"

2. You'll be asked to set up a security question and accept the Terms and Conditions.

3. It will prompt you to "Add a Payee." Tell us about the person or company you wish to pay.

4. Enter the payment amount and the date the payment should be sent. 

5. For recurring payments, select "Make it Recurring" in the payee dashboard.

6. Enter the recurring payment details such as amount, frequency and payment date.

7. Submit!

After the final payment on a loan is paid, we release our lien. The the Washington State Department of Licensing then processes a paper title, which can take 4-6 weeks to be received.

If it is registered outside of Washington state, the title will be mailed to Solarity Credit Union, and we will mail it to the address on file. That process also has a 4-6 week timeframe.

If your debit card was declined, please reach out to us via live chat or by calling 800.347.9222. We'll be happy to assist.

A Loan Estimate is a three-page form that tells you important details about the home loan you have requested. A lender must provide you a copy of this form within three business days of receiving your application. The form is designed to simply communicate the estimated interest rate, monthly payment, total closing costs and many other loan details. You can see (and click through) this interactive explainer of a Loan Estimate provided by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Definitely not (unless you want to)! You can do the ENTIRE process online, applying for a Solarity home loan from your home computer or mobile device. In addition, you can call our expert Yakima Home Loan Guides. If you walk into a branch, we can connect you with our Home Loan Guides that way, too!

We will work around your schedule and will communicate with you in the manner that's most convenient for you. We go to great lengths to make the entire process for you as easy as we can. You can even close the loan from your mobile phone (message and data rates may apply). We can't wait to help you get started! 

Yes! Solarity offers USDA loans. Completing the first couple of steps of our  online application - without obligation - will help you identify which loan types you may qualify for, along with the associated loan rates, estimated monthly payments and closing costs. Still have questions? Just call 877.853.3297 to get connected with a Home Loan Guide.

Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you’re no longer able to purchase a home. In fact, purchasing a home as a retiree might be much easier than you think. There are multiple methods lenders can use to qualify a retiree for a home loan. Talk to a Home Loan Guide about your options for financing and what you’ll qualify for based on your assets and income.

1099-INT forms are mailed to members each year by January 31. If you are signed up for eStatements you will have to access your tax statement through online banking.

Members who have earned less than $10 in dividends are not issued a 1099-INT. Your total interest paid for the year is also included in your December account statement, if you would like to view your tax information prior to January 31.