We have developed these Frequently Asked Questions to help our customers with any questions they may have. If you have any questions that are not covered in our FAQ sections, please contact us by phone or e-mail.

How do I apply for a job at American Federal?
Refer to our Career Opportunities page for a listing of positions for which we are currently recruiting. Each job posting will include a description of the position and application instructions.

Can AFSB order foreign currency?
Yes. We can order foreign currency through the American Express Travel Funds Direct Program. The order can be shipped by normal delivery that will arrive in 7 to 10 business days. If rush delivery is required, we can have it shipped as quickly as overnight. There is a nominal charge for shipping and handling.

Can I get information about my account by phone?
Yes! American Federal Savings Bank has two ways of serving you by phone. By calling the branch nearest you, or (406) 457-0085, you can speak with a customer service representative who will be happy to review your account with you and answer your questions. Also, after hours you can reach our 24-Hour Telephone Banking voice response system at (888) 750-BANK (2265).

Can I open an account if I don't live in Southwest Montana?
We restrict account openings to our current market area, which is Southwest Montana: Helena, Butte, Townsend and Bozeman. To set up your account, you'll need to come into the bank to sign your account paperwork.

How do I make a deposit to my account from a remote location?
You can do most of your banking by using direct deposit or ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions. You can also mail in nonrecurring deposits to our mailing address. Contact us for details on a method that's best for you.

Will I be able to use Bill Payment with any of my accounts?
No. Only an American Federal checking account can be used.

How does bill payment work?
To establish your bill payment account, there is a simple application for you to complete. You can set up a payment to anyone: individual or business. In just a few simple steps, you can establish one time or recurring bill payments. To help you understand the process, we have provided a diagram.

When can I start using Bill Payment?
Processing a Bill Payment application takes up to 5 working days. You may use Bill Payment as soon as you receive your acceptance email.

How will I be billed? Your Bill Payment fee will be deducted from your American Federal checking account and reflected on your monthly statement.

What bills can I pay through Bill Payment?
Pay practically anyone; charge accounts, utilities, auto loans, even your doctor or day-care center.

How many days does it take for a payment to reach the payee?
Since payment processing can take up to four to ten working days, the safest thing is to always schedule your payments at least ten working days ahead of the date they are due.

What is my PIN?
Your PIN (Personal Identification Number) is the last four digits of your social security number, unless you've used the 24-Hour Telephone Banking system and changed it. You may change your PIN using either the Online Banking or Telephone Banking. We encourage you to change your PIN on a regular basis for your protection and ours!

What happens if I forget my PIN?
If you forget your PIN, call American Federal at 406/442-3080 during regular banking hours or a branch near you.

May I transfer funds immediately after signing up for Home Banking?
Yes. If you have already completed an Online Banking Authorization form. If you have not, complete one now and submit it online, then allow 24 hours before attempting transfers.

Can anyone else see my accounts over the Internet?
No. We are using the latest in technology to keep account information 100% secure. There are security features at every level - from your PC, to the Internet, to the secure network. The following features are offered for full security:

• Password Protection;
• Five Invalid Log-ins. Access is denied after the fifth consecutive invalid log-in;
• Time-Out. This ensures that Account Access will shut off automatically after a designated period of time;
• Exit Button. This exits Internet Bill Payment and Account Access;
• Cache Security. This ensures that no one can view a Member's account information by accessing his cache file;
• Encrypted URL. This ensures that any account information that appears in the URL is not readable; and
• SSL (secure sockets layer) protocol. This protocol allows for the transfer of digitally-signed certificates for authentication procedures, and provides message integrity, ensuring that the data can't be altered during a transaction. Web pages usually start with https with SSL protocol instead of http.

I keep hearing a lot about encryption. What exactly is it, and why does it make everything more secure?
Basically, encryption is a way to rewrite something in a code that can then be decoded later with the right key. The encryption we use employs a mathematical process for the key that is made up of a certain number of bits (hence, 128-bit encryption). The higher the number of bits, the better the encryption, the better the security. While using our Online Banking System, all communication from you to the system and from the system to you is encrypted using a maximum of 128 bits. In other words, when you send information to the system, your browser encrypts it using a 128-bit key, then sends it to the system. The system then decodes the information you sent it using the key (which is predetermined when your Online Banking session is started) and processes it.

I'd like to know more about the security methods you have implemented. Where can I read more?
For a more detailed description of the security features in our Online Banking System, please see our Online Banking System Security Overview.