FAQs
Credit Union FAQs
What is a Credit Union?
A Credit Union is a co-operative financial institution owned and controlled by its members. Membership within a Credit Union is limited by its bond of association which can be as narrow as a single employer or as broad as a province’s population.
What is the difference between a bank and a credit union?
Credit Unions offer similar services to those offered by banks including:- Chequing and savings accounts
- Loans, mortgages, lines of credit
- Investments (including mutual funds)
- Free Certified Financial Planners
However, Credit Union profits are either returned to the members in the form of dividends or reinvested in the Credit Union to expand products, service and delivery options.
Canada’s Chartered Banks on the other hand are publicly traded and their stocks are widely held. Banks are in business to create shareholder value often at the expense of customer service.
Can anyone join a credit union?
In the case of Healthcare and Municipal Employees’ Credit Union, our bond primarily includes people working in healthcare and local government and their families in Hamilton, Burlington, and Brantford.
However, we welcome members of the general community as well and invite anyone who is interested in joining our credit union to contact us for more information.
Do I have to pay to join a credit union?
In order to join a credit union, you will be required to purchase a membership share. This share is your ownership stake in the credit union and allows you to participate in the democratic governance of the Credit Union.
Your membership share may grow over time based on the success of the Credit Union and is completely refundable including any dividends that are paid into should you choose to close your membership.
Is my money safe in a credit union?
Healthcare and Municipal Employees' Credit Union takes safety and security very seriously. In terms of our physical security, HMECU follows industry best practices to minimize risk.
Further, we put the highest priority on your privacy and the confidentiality of your personal information. We have strict standards in place and our privacy officer is specifically trained to address any concerns. For more information, visit our privacy page.
Your deposits are insured up to $100,000 per account through the Deposit Insurance Corporation of Ontario (DICO). Click here for more information on deposit insurance.
General FAQs
Where are HMECU's branches and ATM's located?
Click here for a complete list of branch details and ATM locations.What are your branch hours of operation?
To find the hours of operation for all branches, please click here to view our locations map. Select a branch to learn more, including directions and services.
What are HMECU's branch and transit numbers?
Branch # 828
Transit # 00412
What is my HMECU account number?
Your account number is a 6 digit number, followed by a 7th digit which specifies a subaccount. For example, an account number could be "123456" and then add a "1" at the end for the chequing account. Therefore your chequing account number would be 1234561.
You may need your account number for many reasons, such as:
- To set up direct deposit into your account
- To set up a pre-authorized debit from your account
- To login to telephone banking
If you have online banking with HMECU, you will find your account number on the top of your "Account Summary". Here you will see "Membership" followed by your 6 digit account number.
How do I become a member of HMECU?
In order to open your account with HMECU, you will need to visit any one of our branch locations to provide ID and sign the necessary account opening documentation.
You must bring two pieces of valid identification with you. At least one piece of ID must be:
- Valid driver's license, OR
- Valid passport, OR
- Valid Ontario photo card, OR
- Valid permanent resident card
The secondary piece of identification can be from the above list, but may also be:
- Birth certificate
- Valid Canadian credit card
- Certificate of Indian Status
- Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
- Employee ID card, with photo
- Ontario Outdoors card
- Nexus card
Please note: HMECU cannot accept a government health card as identification.
To open your account, contact us to book an appointment or visit a branch near you. Drop ins are welcome!
How do I change my address?
Login to your online banking account. On the left menu, select "Profile and Preferences" then "Change Contact Information", fill in all necessary fields and submit your request.
If you do not have online banking, please visit an HMECU branch to change your address. Click here to find a branch near you.
How do I change my name?
Visit an HMECU branch to change your name. Please ensure you bring up to date identification with your new name to show as proof. Click here to find a branch near you.
What are Central Dues?
A nominal fee will be withdrawn annually from the accounts of all members 18 years of age and over to help cover HMECU's membership in Central 1 Credit Union.
Central 1 is a trade and financial services provider for HMECU and approximately 175 other Ontario Credit Unions.
For more information, please visit our service fees page.
Banking FAQs
What are your rates?
Click here to visit our rates page for the most current rate information or contact your HMECU branch. Click here to find a branch near you.
How do I order cheques?
Login to your online banking account. On the left menu, select "Account Services" then "Order Cheques", fill in all necessary fields and submit your request.
If you do not have online banking, please call or visit an HMECU branch to order cheques. Click here to find a branch near you.
How can I get a copy of a cheque?
Login to your online banking account. Click on your "Personal Chequing" account, scroll down to find a cheque that has cleared your account. Click on the underlined word "Cheque". This will open a new window with the cheque image which can be printed.How can I stop payment on a cheque or EFT?
Visit an HMECU branch to issue a stop payment on a cheque or EFT. Please note there is a fee. Click here to find a branch near you.
What do I do if I've made a mistake when paying a bill?
For an error on a bill payment, please contact your branch as quickly as possible during regular business hours. Click here to find a branch near you.
If it is outside of regular business hours, please contact HMECU's Support Line at 905-520-1146 or Support@HMECU.com to leave a message and you will be contacted as soon as possible.
What do I do if I suspect that I am the victim of fraud?
If you suspect that you are a victim of fraud related to your HMECU account, please contact your branch immediately so that we can take all necessary precautions to minimize the risk to you.
If it is outside of regular business hours, please contact HMECU's Support Line at 905-520-1146 or Support@HMECU.com to leave a message and you will be contacted as soon as possible.
Debit Card FAQs
My debit card isn't working, what do I do?
Please contact an HMECU branch for assistance with your card. Click here to find a branch near you.
If it is outside of regular business hours, please contact HMECU's Support Line at 905-520-1146 or Support@HMECU.com to leave a message and you will be contacted as soon as possible.How can I get a replacement debit card?
Visit an HMECU branch to be issued a replacement Member Card® debit card. Please note there may be a fee. Click here to find a branch near you.
What do I do if I've made a mistake while depositing to the ATM?
ATM deposit errors will be adjusted when the envelopes are opened to verify the contents. This may be a few days after the deposit was made, depending on the ATM that you used.
What do I do if an ATM captured my debit card?
If your card has been captured or retained by an ATM, please note that your card will not be returned by the machine to you or anyone else using the ATM. The card will be destroyed by the Credit Union or Bank operating the ATM machine.
During normal business hours, please contact your branch to have the card cancelled. You will also need to visit a branch at your earliest convenience to obtain a new card.
What do I do if my debit card has been lost or stolen?
Please report any lost or stolen ATM Cards as soon as possible. Contact HMECU's Support Line at 905-520-1146 to report lost or stolen cards. You will need to visit one of our branches to have your card re-issued.
If your debit card has been lost or stolen, contact your HMECU branch during normal business hours to have your card cancelled. If it is outside of regular business hours, please contact HMECU's Support Line at 905-520-1146 or Support@HMECU.com to leave a message and you will be contacted as soon as possible.
Please note as long as your pin number is not known, there is little to no risk of monetary loss on your account.