Bill Payment

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General Questions

• What is BillPay?

  BillPay lets you pay all of your bills from your own computer. No more writing checks, buying stamps, or running to the post office to get your bills paid on time. It's fast, easy and completely secure.

• How much does BillPay cost?

  Online BillPay is absolutely FREE!

• What type of bills can I pay using BillPay?

  You can pay almost anyone in the United States, from your long distance phone company to the paper carrier. If your merchant accepts electronic payments, the merchant may be paid through an electronic funds transfer. Otherwise, the merchant will receive payment via check sent in the mail.

• Who do I call if I have a problem using BillPay?

  You can Contact Us if you have any BillPay questions.

• Is it safe to pay my bills over the Internet?

  Yes, your personal information and account data are protected by multiple independent security protocols: firewalls, data encryption and a verifiable password. These create a secure electronic tunnel between your computer and Fremont National Bank's system. Fremont National Bank supports the use of 128-bit encryption technology, the most secure form of encryption currently available for commercial use over the Internet.

Getting Started

• How do I enroll in BillPay?

  To enroll in BillPay, log on and choose the enroll link that appears in the BillPay section. We'll take you through the process step by step. You must have a checking account with Fremont National Bank to enroll in BillPay. If you don't, we'll help you choose an account that's right for you.

• After I enroll in BillPay, how do I get started?

  The first thing you will need to do is set up your Merchant List. To set up a Merchant List, select Add a Merchant in the BillPay section of the site and enter the requested information about your merchant.

• How soon can I start making payments to my merchants?

  Immediately after you enroll in BillPay and add a merchant to your Merchant List, you can begin making payments to that merchant online.

Making Payments

• How do I schedule a payment?

  • Select Make A Payment or MultiPay in the BillPay section of Online Banking.
  • Select the merchant or account you would like to pay.
  • Select the payment amount, payment frequency, payment date, and recurring payment end date (if frequency is recurring).
  • Select the account to make the payment from.
  • Choose Submit. You will be asked to confirm the payment information you entered.
  • If the information is correct, choose Submit, and your payment will be processed.

  
  

  Note: When choosing the payment date, please allow 5-7 business days for checks and 4-6 business days for electronic payments to be received and processed by the merchant. The first business day is the day after the payment is deducted from the account. Business days do not include holidays or weekends. Please refer to Make A Payment or MultiPay within the BillPay section of the site to find the method by which a merchant is paid. We will not be liable for any loss you may incur as a consequence of late payments that were not scheduled prior to the initial due date (not the end of any applicable grace period).

• What payment options are available in BillPay?

  You can set your payments up to occur on a one-time or recurring basis.

  • One-time Payment: You can select a merchant, enter the amount and have the payment processed today or you can schedule a payment up to 90 days in advance.
  • Recurring Payment: You can select a merchant, enter the amount and have the payment sent out on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. You choose the start date for the recurring payment cycle as well as an end date. The end date is the date that the recurring payment cycle will be cancelled.

  
  
• What is a recurring payment end date?

  A recurring payment end date is the date the recurring payment will be cancelled. If the payment date falls on or before the recurring payment end date, the payment will be made.

• How far in advance can I schedule a payment?

  You can schedule a payment to a merchant up to 90 days before the payment date.

• Can I schedule multiple payments to the same merchant?

  Yes. As long as those payments fall on different business days, you are free to pay the same merchant as often as you like. However, you are only able to make one Fremont National Bank credit card payment per business day. Billpay payments are posted to the account the same day if submitted before 9:00 p.m. Central Time every business day (5:00 p.m. Central Time for credit card payments), or on a weekend or holiday, it will be posted the next business day.

• Should the payment date I give be the date the payment is actually due?

  No. When choosing the payment date, please allow 5-7 business days for checks and 4-6 business days for electronic payments to be received and processed by the merchant. The first business day is the day after the payment is deducted from the account. Business days do not include holidays or weekends. Please refer to Make A Payment or MultiPay within the BillPay section of the site to find the method by which a merchant is paid.

• Why does it take up to five to seven business days for payments to reach their destination?

  Although many of the payments are made electronically, a majority of merchants continue to only accept payments made by check and received via the US mail. In addition, you must allow time for the merchant to process your payment. For these reasons, when choosing the payment date, please allow 5-7 business days for checks and 4-6 business days for electronic payments to be received and processed by the merchant. The first business day is the day after the payment is deducted from the account. Business days do not include holidays or weekends. Please refer to Make A Payment or MultiPay within the BillPay section of the site to find the method by which a merchant is paid.

• How are my BillPay payments sent?

  The method we use to send the payment depends on whether the merchant can accept electronic payments. When choosing the payment date, please allow 5-7 business days for checks and 4-6 business days for electronic payments to be received and processed by the merchant. The first business day is the day after the payment is deducted from the account. Business days do not include holidays or weekends. Please refer to Make A Payment or MultiPay within the BillPay section of the site to find the method by which a merchant is paid. We will not be liable for any loss you may incur as a consequence of late payments that were not scheduled prior to the initial due date (not the end of any applicable grace period).

• Who decides whether my payment is sent out electronically or by mail?

  The merchant decides if they will accept electronic payments. If the merchant cannot accept, or decides not to accept electronic payments, we will send the payment in the form of a check via the US mail.

• What does a BillPay check look like?

  A BillPay check looks like any other check. For your reference, we've provided an example below.

  

• Can I add a memo to my payments?

  Yes. Payments made through the single payment screen have the option to add a memo. This payment memo will be added to the check that is printed and sent to check merchants. However, merchants will not receive memos on payments that are sent electronically. The memos can only be alpha or numeric and 25 characters long.

• Will my memo be sent with my electronic payment?

  No. Merchants will not receive a memo on the payments that are sent electronically.

• Is there a limit on the amount I can pay in one day?

  Currently, there is not a limit to the total amount you can pay all of your merchants in one day, but there is a limit to the amount you can pay a single merchant per day. For your safety, that limit has been set at $10,000.00.

• What can I use as proof that my payment has been made?

  Your monthly checking account statement displays all of your BillPay transactions. Your BillPay transactions are also reflected on your online Account Detail screen.

• What are my rights if you fail to make a payment I request?

  If we fail to complete a payment or transfer in time or in the correct amount according to the Online Banking Agreement (Section 7), we are liable for your losses or damages. However, there are some exceptions. We are not liable if: (1) through no fault of ours, you don't have sufficient funds in your account to make the transfer; (2) the funds are subject to legal process or other encumbrance restricting a transfer; (3) the transfer exceeds the credit limit on your line of credit; (4) there is a technical malfunction which is known to you at the time you attempt to initiate the transfer or, in the case of a recurring transfer, at the time the transfer should have occurred; (5) circumstances beyond our control (such as fire or flood) prevent the transfer, despite reasonable precautions that we take. In no event are we liable for more than actual damages proved if any failure of ours was unintentional and resulted from a bona fide error, notwithstanding the maintenance of procedures reasonably adopted to avoid such an error.

  This does not mean that we accept liability for other circumstances resulting in transfers not being made or completed on time. For example, we are not responsible for delayed or failed transfers if: (1) you fail to use the Services properly in accordance with this agreement and any online or other instructions supplied in connection with the Services; (2) you don't request the transfer and schedule the payment date sufficiently in advance of the due date for the obligation you are paying; (3) you exceed applicable restrictions on the number, amount or frequency of transfers; (4) you fail to supply accurate information with regard to the persons you wish to pay (e.g., name, address and account number); (5) the person you wish to pay or their bank mishandles or delays posting the payment; (6) your computer or software fails to operate correctly, or your instructions are lost or delayed in transmission to us; (7) a bona fide security consideration causes us not to make the transfer (e.g., your PIN or password has been reported lost or stolen; we have reason to believe a transfer is unauthorized; or the transfer would violate other security restrictions in our system); or (8) your relevant deposit account is closed, or services hereunder have been terminated or suspended.

• How do I pay bills that change amounts each month?

  You will not be able to set up a recurring payment for those bills. You will have to initiate a new payment to that merchant each month.

• Is it possible to pay my bills from more than one checking account?

  Yes. You can pay your bills from any of your Fremont National Bank checking accounts. If you have a checking account that is not appearing online or you wish to add an account, simply select Add Accounts within the Account Services or Update Info section online. If you still do not see the account, please Contact Us.

• How do I know when my payments have been made?

  When a payment has cleared your checking account, it will immediately post to your account and appear in the list of transactions on your online Account Detail screen for that account.

• How do I pay my other accounts at Fremont National Bank using BillPay?

  All other accounts that you have at Fremont National Bank will automatically be included on your Merchant List. All you have to do is go to the Make A Payment or MultiPay screen, choose the account you want to pay and fill in the necessary information. Remember, there is NEVER a fee for paying your Fremont National Bank accounts online.

• When are the funds actually taken from my account?

  Bill payments are debited from your account on the payment date you select when you authorize the payment.

• Will my payment still be sent if I do not have enough money in my account to cover it?

  If you do not have the funds to cover the amount of the scheduled payment, the payment may not be made and an insufficient funds fee will be charged to your account.

• What is the cutoff time for entering credit card payments online?

  • Transfer of Funds: 9:00 p.m. Central Time every business day.
  • Making a Payment: 9:00 p.m. Central Time every business day (5:00 p.m. Central Time for credit card payments).
  • Change or Cancel a Payment: up to 9:00 p.m. Central Time every business day on the scheduled payment date (5:00 p.m. Central Time for credit card payments).

  Online payments submitted prior to 5:00 p.m. Central Time will be posted to your account the same day. Payments submitted after 5:00 p.m. Central Time will be posted the next day. You can pay your credit card bill online free of charge up to 30 days in advance. At our discretion, availability of funds may be delayed to ensure any payment(s) received have cleared.

Adding Merchants

• How do I add a merchant?

  • Choose Add a Merchant in the BillPay section of Online Banking.
  • Check to see if the merchant you want to add is already listed in the frequently used merchant list. If the merchant is listed, you will only need to provide the account number.
  • If the merchant is not already listed, fill in the information requested as completely as possible, including the account number. If you are adding a merchant that does not require an account number, such as your day care provider, you can fill in the account number spaces with a memo to yourself.
  • Choose Submit and the merchant will be added to your Merchant List.

  
  
  
• What information do I need to setup a merchant?

  • If you choose to add a business merchant, you will need the merchant name, address, phone number and account number with that merchant.
  • If you choose to add a financial institution, you will need the routing number of the financial institution and your account number with the financial institution.
  • If you choose to add an individual, you will need the individual's name, address, and phone number.

  
  
  
• I am adding a financial institution to my merchant list and I am being asked to provide my routing number. Where do I find that information?

  Use the sample check below to help you locate the routing number of the financial institution you will be adding to your merchant list if you have a checking account at that institution. If you do not have a checking account with the financial institution, please contact the institution to find out their routing number. The routing number will be 9 digits long.

  Note: The routing number printed on your check will be correct in most cases. But, some banks are using a separate routing number to process electronic payments. Please check with your bank if you have any problems using the routing number printed on your check. Do not use a deposit slip.

  

• How many merchants can I setup?

  You can set up an unlimited number of merchants on your Merchant List.

Pending Payments

• How can I track upcoming payments I have scheduled and when they will be paid?

  On the Pending Payments screen, you can view all one-time and recurring payments you have set up on your account. Recurring payments may only be displayed on the day that they are to be paid.

• What if a bill payment does not show up on my online account detail?

  If the processing date for the scheduled payment has passed, and the payment does not show up in your online account detail, please Contact Us.

• How close to the scheduled payment date can I cancel my payment?

  You can change or cancel a bill payment before 9:00 p.m. Central Time every business day (5:00 p.m. Central Time for credit card payments) on the date the payment is scheduled to occur.

• Can I make a change to an already scheduled payment?

  Yes. You can make changes to scheduled payments by selecting the Change Payment button on the Pending Payments screen. You can modify the payment amount and payment date online. If the payment is a recurring payment, you can also change the recurring payment end date. If there are additional changes you would like to make, please cancel the recurring payment and make a new recurring payment or Contact Us.

MultiPay

• What is MultiPay?

  MultiPay is an option in BillPay that allows you to pay multiple merchants at one time. All you have to do is select the merchants you would like to pay using the select box on the MultiPay page, enter the payment amounts, select the payment dates, payment frequencies, and the funding accounts, and select submit.

  Once you have selected submit, we will ask you to verify your payments. If any payments have errors or warnings, those payments will be listed at the top of the page with special messages telling you what is wrong with the payment, or anything else that you need to be aware of about the payment.

  From the verification page, you can select to submit, change, or cancel. If you have any errors on the page, we recommend that you go back and change these payments using the Change button. If you do not change the payments with errors, and select Submit, the payment will not be made.

• In order to use MultiPay, do I have to make a payment to all of the merchants on my list?

  No. You do not have to make payments to all of your merchants when using MultiPay and there is no minimum to the number of payments that have to be made. However, there is a maximum of 20 payments that can be made at one time.

• How do I know if all of my payments were made?

  On the confirmation page, we list all the payments that you requested to be paid. At the top of the page, we list any payments from your requested list that did not get paid along with the reason the payment was not made. Below the failed payments, all successful payments are displayed. Please remember to print the confirmation page for your records.

• What if some of my payments failed?

  If some of your payments failed, we list the reason the payment failed. In addition, at the bottom of the page, we have a Fix button. Selecting the Fix button will allow you to see all payments that failed along with the reason the payment failed, fix the payments, and re-submit the request.

• Where can I see the payments that I have made?

  After you have made your payments, the confirmation page will tell you where you can see the payments that were made. You can see most payments on the Pending Payments List, unless the payment was made to a Fremont National Bank account and the payment was requested to be made immediately. If you made a payment to a Fremont National Bank account immediately, the payment can be viewed on the Account Detail page for the account.

• How many payments can I pay at one time?

  On the MultiPay page, you can make up to 20 payments at one time.

• Some pages in the site have an Initial BillPay Page option. What does that mean?

  If you select the Initial BillPay Page button from the Make Payment, MultiPay, Pending Payments, or Merchant List pages it will make this the first page you will see when you select BillPay. For example, if you always visit Pending Payments when using BillPay, and would like this to always be the first page you view in BillPay, you could select Pending Payments as your Initial BillPay Page. This option is just an added convenience for you when using BillPay!

If you did not find the answer you were looking for or have a comment, Contact Us.