Ways to Bank
Mobile Banking
Access your account anywhere, anytime.
Managing your finances should be quick and easy. With the Alterna Savings mobile app – you can experience The Good in Banking™ right at your fingertips.
With the Alterna app you can:
- Deposit cheques using your phone
- View account activity, balances and recent transactions
- Pay bills
- Transfer money between your accounts
- Send, receive and request money through Interac e-Transfers®
- Set up alerts and notifications
Registered for digital
banking?
Download the app and sign in!
Personal Members
Not signed up for online banking? Register with your account number and current contact information (email or cell phone) on file.
Business Members
Not signed up for online banking? Call us to get started.
How to deposit cheques with the Alterna mobile app
Quickly and securely deposit cheques with your smartphone or tablet.
Here’s how it works:
1. Open your Alterna Savings Mobile Banking app on your smartphone
2. Select your account
3. Enter the amount
4. Snap a photo of the front and back of your cheque
5. Confirm the details
6. Send. That’s it.
Then throw your cheque away. (Yes. We just said that.)
Once you’ve deposited your cheque, you can throw it out after 90 days. It’s safe to do so as the cheque will have been completely processed with any and all queries settled by that time. Don’t worry if you make a mistake, as we’ll double-check everything.
Mobile Banking & Remote Deposit
Frequently Asked Questions
Mobile Banking
Frequently Asked Questions
A mobile application (mobile app) is software that can be downloaded from an online app store and installed on a smartphone running a compatible operating system, such as an iPhone or Android. Alterna’s mobile app provides on-the-go access to check account balances, pay bills, make Interac™ e-Transfers, transfer between your accounts, deposit cheques and so much more. Compatibility – requires iOS12 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
Yes, you will need to log into online banking with your member number and temporary password before logging into the mobile app.
Yes, you will need to log into online banking with your member number and temporary password before logging into the mobile app.
For security reasons, your online banking password can only be changed through our secure online banking, in the Profile and Preferences section. If you can’t remember your password, call us at 1-877-560-0100 to have it reset and obtain a temporary password. Then, login to online banking using the temporary password, go to Profile and Preferences, then Change Password to change your password to something you'll easily remember.
Immediately change your online banking password. If you can’t access online banking, visit one of our branches or call our Contact Centre as soon as possible.
As long as you have access to the Internet, mobile banking is available wherever you are, whenever you need. Before traveling, check with your mobile device carrier regarding data plans, rates, and roaming fees.
You can cancel the app by simply deleting the application from your phone. Mobile web access is always available through the Internet on your smartphone or mobile device. Changing your online banking password will prevent anyone from accessing your account(s) should your device be lost or stolen.
Cheque Deposit
Frequently Asked Questions
Remote Deposit is a new feature of the Alterna Mobile Banking App that will allow members to conveniently, quickly and securely deposit Canadian cheques on their iOS and Android devices by taking a picture of the physical cheque.
Deposits can be made in a few easy steps:
1. Open the Alterna Mobile Banking App for iOS or Android
2. Tap ‘Deposits’
3. Select the account and enter the amount of the cheque
4. Take a picture of the front and back of the cheque and tap submit
Remote Deposit is currently available on the Alterna Mobile Banking App for Android and iOS devices.
Convenience. Remote Deposit allows members to deposit a cheque anywhere at any time of the day or night
Immediate Access. Members can access their funds the same way as if they had deposited the cheque at an ATM (same holds apply). Plus, members can view the transaction instantly through mobile or web banking.
This feature can only be used by our Alterna members with online banking and who have downloaded the Alterna Mobile Banking App for iOS or Android on their smartphone or tablet.
For Business members, the service works for individuals who have both view-only and full-access online banking services set up. Individuals associated with the account as Signers or Account Administrators will be able to use the feature, however those who are set up as delegates will not be able to use the feature.
Similar to deposits at an ATM or in the branch, funds immediately appear in the member’s account with availability to those funds subject to normal Alterna hold periods.
For Business members, the hold period will be determined by the relationship level, with up to $5,000 being immediately available to the member.
- Members are required to keep their cheque for 90 days after which it should be destroyed.
- It’s recommended that after the cheque has been deposited that members write ‘deposited via mobile’ across the front of the cheque.
For personal members, it’s free. Deposits are not counted as a day-to-day transaction for personal members and as such no fee is applied for making a deposit.
For members with CHIP, Community or Community Plus Chequing Accounts, it is free. Deposits are not counted as a day-to-day transaction for these members and as such no fee is applied for making a deposit.
Deposits are considered a day-to-day transaction for business members. A fee of $0.80 is applicable for deposits made through this service if a business member has gone above their monthly allotment or is pay as you go.
No, there is no daily deposit.
No, there is no limit on how many cheques that can be deposited using this service.
The Mobile Remote Data Capture solution performs over 30 image quality assurance tests on each picture submitted to ensure that the image is accurate and that each field can be read. If the image does not meet all the criteria, the deposit transaction fails and the member will be asked to take a new picture.
Remote Deposit can only deposit Canadian cheques or clearing items including:
- Regular Canadian dollar cheques
- Government of Canada cheques
- Money orders
- Bank drafts
- Convenience cheques
- Certified cheques
Remote Deposit cannot accept the following:
- US Funds Cheque
- US Cheque
- Non-Canadian and Non-US Cheque
- Traveler’s Cheque
- Return item/RRD
- CRDs
- Savings Bonds
- Canada Post Money Order
Yes, Remote Deposit works the same way for Business Online Banking. Regardless of whether the business member is set up with full access or view only access they can make deposits to their account through remote deposit. Both Account Administrators and Signers will be able to use this feature. Delegates will not be able to use the feature.
A common concern about Remote Deposit is the perceived increase in the risk of fraud. With Remote Deposit there are no additional security concerns beyond those currently associated with physical cheque deposits. Additionally, Remote Deposit meets the same high standards as Alterna’s mobile and online banking services.
DO ensure that the name of the payee indicated on the cheque matches the name of the account holder exactly.
DON’T attempt to deposit cheques made to people other than the account holder.
Yes. The standard hold periods apply to cheques deposited by way of remote deposit. Please find more information on hold periods here at our webpage “Access To Funds” page here.
Reminder: If you have previously downloaded the Alterna Savings mobile app and enabled Quickview, our newest update will require you to login again to automatically re-enable the feature. To update your preferences, click on Settings > Account Preferences within the app.
* Use of our mobile banking or apps is free, but data charges or banking fees may apply. Please check with your mobile device carrier and our service fee listing for applicable charges.
Your financial well-being comes first
Welcome to a better way to bank. Our knowledgeable team puts your financial well-being first with good, caring and transparent advice while offering all the products and services you need.
1.877.560.0100
Find a Branch/ATM
getintouch@alterna.ca