Frequently Asked Questions
The following are questions frequently asked about Business Banking Online.
General questions
Security questions
General Questions
Q: How do I enroll in Business Banking Online?
A: To enroll in Online Banking after your HomeStreet Bank accounts have been opened, simply click on the “Enroll” link in the menu to the left or click here to go directly to the instructions page. Please allow one business day to be set up as a user. Once you are set up, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to obtain your password and User ID information.
Q: How do I access Business Banking Online?
A: Simply select Business from the Online Banking box on the home page, and then select Log In. You will be required to have the Company ID and password, and your User ID and password to log on.
Q: How frequently is my HomeStreet Bank information updated?
A: Transactions are displayed in online banking ‘real time’ which means that most transactions are reflected immediately in your account. This includes deposits, point-of-sale, ATM and telephone banking transactions. Checks and electronic debits and credits reflect in your account when they are processed each evening. Online Banking is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can be assured you have the most current account information available.
Q: Can I look at all of my transactions at any time?
A: Yes, Business Banking Online and Bill Payer are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except during special maintenance periods.
Q: How much account history can I access via Business Online Banking?
A: Checking account history is available for 6 months, savings account and time deposit history are available for 1 year.
Q: How do I use the Online Bill Payer system?
A: Step-by-step instructions can be accessed by pressing the help button within Business Banking Online.
Q: How long does it take to set up a new payee in the bill payment system?
A: Once you have entered a new payee in the Bill Payer System, you can immediately schedule payments.
Q: After I make a bill payment, how long does it take for the money to be debited from my account?
A: The money will be debited from your account the next business days following the scheduled bill payment date.
Q: How long does it take for a payment to reach the payee?
A: The payee will receive the payment between 3 days (electronic) and 7-10 days (check) later, depending on the method of payment. Please schedule payments in advance of your due date.
Q: What is Web Connect?
A: Quicken Web Connect allows you the ability to download transaction history from within Online Banking to QuickBooks.
Q: What are check images?
A: Online check imaging displays the front and back of your checks. You will be able to print these images for your records, or you can save them to your computer.
How do I save check images to my PC?
A: Use your mouse to hover over the image, right click, click the "save" icon and save it to your desired location. You can also save the image by copying and pasting into a Word document.
Why can't I see an image of a check that is an electronic check? I have a hyperlink.
A: Electronic checks are created when a merchant to whom you wrote a check converts it to an electronic format for processing. Since the paper check is never presented to the bank, it is not visible in online banking.
Why I can't see an image of a check that overdrew my account?
A: Checks that have not cleared your account due to insufficient funds or stop payment, etc, will not display in online banking. These check images are available by contacting our Customer Service Center at 800-719-8080 or 206-389-6309 in the Seattle area or visiting your branch.
Why is the check number on my statement different than the check number I see listed in online banking?
A: Sometimes, check numbers listed in online banking may not match the number on the image of the check. This may be an error or a damaged check but the correct image will display.
How long will my check images be available?
A: Check images will be available in online banking for 180 days (6 months).
What does "service unavailable" mean?
A: Occasionally a check image that should be available is not, and you will see this message. Or, you may see the front but not the back. Try again later or contact our Customer Service Center at 800-719-8080 or 206-389-6309 in the Seattle area and ask them to retrieve the image for you.
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Security Questions
Q: I'm still hesitant about banking online. Can other people see my account information?
A: Your account information is just as secure as it is at your physical, brick–and–mortar bank. We've taken every step possible to ensure that our system meets the latest security standards, including using the latest security encryption methods and software.
Q: I keep hearing a lot about encryption. What exactly is it, and why does it make everything more secure?
A: Encryption is basically 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. 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, your browser encrypts it using a 128–bit key and 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.
Q: What about information that is stored? Is it encrypted as well?
A: Information stored on our system is also encrypted using at least 128 bits.
Q: How do I determine if my Web browser has the required 128–bit encryption?
A: To determine if your browser has 128–bit encryption, select Help in the browser’s toolbar, then select About. A pop-up box will provide details on the level of your browser. If your browser does not support 128–bit encryption, recommended browsers include Netscape Navigator 4.75, Internet Explorer 5.0 or 6.0, or AOL 6 to 8, but other browsers that support 128–bit encryption may also work.
Q: How can I learn more about the security methods you have implemented?
A: For a more detailed description of the security features in our online banking system, please see our Online Banking System Security Statement.
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