Being part of the Shared Branching Network allows members of participating credit unions to do their banking at any credit union in the network. This means that if you are not located near one of our three locations or you are out of town on vacation or business you can conduct your credit union business at a participating credit union or service center near you.

Shared Branching Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Shared Branching?
Shared Branching is a network of credit unions that will allow “Guest Members” from any participating Credit Union to conduct transactions at a Credit Union Service Center or another participating Credit Union. Credit Unions are sharing their branches so that members will have access to over 2,000 locations nationwide.

2. What is a CU Service Center?
A CU Service Center is a location that you can go to that is not an independent credit union but will allow you to conduct your credit union business. There are three Service Centers in the Houston Area.

3. What transactions can I perform at a CU Service Center?
• Deposits
• Withdrawals ($750 maximum)
• Balance Inquiries
• Loan Payments
• Transfers
• Transaction Histories (Last 10 transactions)
• Money Orders
• Traveler’s Cheques
• Cashier’s Checks
• ATM Transactions with no Fees.

4. What transactions can I perform at a participating credit union?
All the same transactions as the Service Centers, however, fees may be imposed or different.

5. How can I find the nearest service center or credit union?
Click here to find the shared branching location closest to you. Put your information in the search engine and you can find the Service Centers and participating Credit Unions in your area. Or, select a state and view every Service Center and participating Credit Union in that state. This website will also give you the hours of the Service Centers along with their holiday schedule. Also, you can link to this website directly from the HTFFFCU home page.

6. What is the difference between a CU Service Center and my credit union?
Policies at a CU Service Center may differ from those at your credit union, for instance:
• Length of check holds: 2 business days for local checks, 5 business  days for non local checks
• You will need to completely fill out transaction slips
• Valid identification is required at each visit
• Drive Thru not always available to “Guest Members” at participating  credit  unions.

7. What information can I not get from a CU Service Center or participating credit union?
• Answers to questions or concerns with your statement
• Any account information over the phone
• HTFFFCU Loan, Savings, and other rates
• Direct Deposit and Payroll Allocation set ups.

8. What do I need to bring with me to perform a transaction at a CU Service Center or participating Credit Union?
• Valid photo ID with signature (Driver’s License, Passport, Military ID)
• Know your Credit Union name (Houston Texas Fire Fighters Federal Credit Union)
• Account Number (CU Service Centers do not have the ability to look up your account number by name or social security number)

9. How long does it take for the transaction to reach my account?
The transaction is “real time” which means it is immediately posted to your account.

10. Can check holds be released?
Yes, after reviewing the check, HTFFFCU can decide whether or not to release the hold.

11. Can I deposit checks made payable to my DBA?
Yes, only if the account is set up in the DBA name.

12. Can I do a cash advance from my credit cards at the Service Centers?
No. Cash Advances cannot be performed at the Service Centers. You may be able to do a cash advance at a participating credit union, if they accept credit cards. In that instance, you may be subject to any fees or charges imposed by those credit unions.

13. Do the Service Centers have coin machines for our use?
No, there are no coin machines at the Service Centers. They will accept rolled coins for deposit with a 7% charge. If any of the other participating credit unions have coin machines that you can use, you may be subject to any fees or charges that are the policies of those credit unions.

14. What does it mean to “Look for the Swirl”?
“Look for the Swirl” refers to the CU Service Center Swirl Logo. You can identify a CU Service Center or participating Credit Union by looking for the Swirl Logo. Some locations will have it on the pole sign and all will have the Swirl on their front door. Keep an eye out for this logo:



Other Important Information

• If you have a password on your account, the Service Centers and other participating credit unions will not have access to that information and therefore will not ask for you to provide it.

• If you have any alerts on your account such as Update Address, See Collections or Garnishments, you will not be able to do any transactions at the Service Centers or Credit Unions until those have been take care of with us.

• Any cash back transaction of $500 or more will require a thumb print.

• Transactions made after 6 p.m. will be posted on the next business day.

• No third party check will be accepted.

• A separate deposit slip for Shared Branching will be available at the participating credit unions in the network.