Immigration Help
Content provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Consult with a qualified attorney to address specific legal concerns.
Prime Financial Credit Union is a Juntos Avanzamos-designated credit union and remains committed to providing safe and fair financial services to all members of our community, regardless of immigration status.
Your Privacy is Our Priority
We adhere to strict privacy laws and regulations. Your personal information, including immigration status, is protected and not shared with outside agencies or entities without your consent, except as required by law.
Commitment to Financial Inclusion
We remain dedicated to providing accessible and secure financial services to all members of our community. Everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve financial stability and growth, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
We Are Here to Support You
If you have questions or concerns about managing your finances, our team is here to help. Please do not hesitate to call us at 414.486.4500 or by visiting your local branch.
As part of our commitment, we are also writing to inform you of ways to ensure uninterrupted access to your finances in the event of an emergency, whether in the United States or abroad.
Sharing Access to Your Account
Designating a Power of Attorney (POA) can allow a trusted family member or friend to communicate with the credit union on your behalf regarding your accounts. Review the “Joint Account Holder vs Power of Attorney” table at the end of this page to understand your options.
Cash or Bank Account
Cash or Bank Account Cash is fast and convenient in an emergency, but it is not secure. Consider keeping only a small amount of emergency cash in your home and depositing your remaining savings in a checking account; your PFCU accounts are federally insured for up to $250,000, and you can use a debit card to easily access your checking account funds for in-store & online purchases or at an ATM.
Online & Mobile Banking
You can use online & mobile banking to check account balances, transfer funds, deposit checks (mobile only), and more from the comfort of your own home. Visit primeonline.primefinancialcu.org or search “Prime Financial CU” in the App Store or Google Play to get started.
Managing Your Loan
Designating a Power of Attorney can allow a trusted family member or friend to communicate with the credit union on your behalf regarding your loan. Review the “Joint Account Holder vs Power of Attorney” table at the end of this page to learn more about Power of Attorney agreements.
Remember, you are required to carry a satisfactory insurance policy on your vehicle; consider sharing information about your loan agreement and insurance policy with a trusted family member.
Making Payments
A family member may continue making payments on your behalf. Remember, you are required to carry a satisfactory insurance policy on your vehicle; consider sharing information about your loan agreement and insurance policy with a trusted family member.
Surrendering Your Vehicle
If you or a family member cannot make payments, you can notify the Credit Union that you would like to surrender your vehicle; you or a trusted individual can then surrender the vehicle at any PFCU branch. The Credit Union will sell your vehicle and apply the proceeds to your outstanding loan balance. You are responsible for repaying any outstanding loan balance after sales proceeds are applied.
IMPORTANT: Prime Financial Credit Union is a safe space for all members regardless of immigration status; we do NOT coordinate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce immigration law.
Managing Your Loan
Designating a Power of Attorney can allow a trusted family member or friend to communicate with the credit union on your behalf regarding your loan. Review the “Joint Account Holder vs Power of Attorney” table at the end of this page to learn more about Power of Attorney agreements. Remember, you are required to carry a satisfactory insurance policy on your home; consider sharing information about your loan agreement and insurance policy with a trusted family member.
Making Payments
A family member may temporarily continue making payments on your behalf. If you anticipate being outside of the United States for an extended period, you should contact the Credit Union to understand your long-term options.
Vacant Property
Notify the Credit Union if your home is or will be vacant. The Credit Union may be able to assist with general maintenance of the property in your absence.
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Joint Account Holder (JAH) |
Power of Attorney (POA) |
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|---|---|---|
Ownership |
You and the JAH are equal owners; both you and the JAH have 100% ownership of the funds in the accounts. | You are the sole owner of the funds in the account, but the POA agent may transact with and manage your account on your behalf as outlined in a POA agreement. |
Considerations |
If you have a home or auto loan with the Credit Union, you are required to maintain a satisfactory insurance policy for the collateral. Joint Account Holders may not be able to acquire or maintain a policy in your name. Adding a U.S. citizen or individual with legal U.S. immigration status as a JAH can provide reassurance that someone in the U.S. will be able access account funds. |
A Power of Attorney agreement is a powerful legal document that grants important decision-making powers to your agent to act on your behalf. |
How-to |
You and the Joint Account Holder must visit a branch. The Joint Account Holder should bring the following:
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We recommend consulting a qualified attorney to assist in completing a Power of Attorney agreement. Requirements:
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Examples of Trusted Persons |
Spouse | Spouse, adult child, sibling, or other known & trusted individual |
Best if…
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You have deposit accounts only AND have a trusted individual you are comfortable sharing account ownership with. | You have deposit accounts and/or loans you would like someone to manage on your behalf AND have a trusted individual you are comfortable granting powerful legal decision-making authority to. |
Have Questions?
We can help you understand the differences between a Joint Account Holder and Power of Attorney. However, the correct choice varies depending on your situation and is ultimately your decision to make.
You are a valued member of the Credit Union and our community, and we look forward to continuing to serve you. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive future for all.
Additional Resources