Platform Upgrade

Acacia Federal has upgraded the online banking security platform. To ensure you have seamless access to your account information, please follow these action steps and read the frequently asked questions below:

Action Steps

Create a strong login.The enhanced security will require that you update your user ID and password. Here's how:

1. User ID -- Your User ID must be at least six characters long, and be made up of a combination of letters, numbers, and the following special characters: @ $ * _ - = . ! ~. If your current User ID does not meet these requirements, you will be prompted to change it.
2. Password -- Your password must be at least six characters, and must include letters as well as numbers and/or symbols. If your current Password does not meet these requirements, you will be prompted to change it.
3. Access Code You will be required to provide up to two phone numbers for multifactor authentication, with the option to receive a one-time access code via text message or automated voice call. You can click on the option for the system to remember your computer/mobile device so you do not need to repeat this step every time you log in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are security standards changing?

With the continued growth of online banking, there are increased needs for greater security standards to keep you and your money well protected. In addition, the government issued new guidelines in 2011 calling for enhanced security measures for online banking. Thus, we have upgraded our security procedures to provide you with the best protection available. Our new security standards make it safer for you to monitor and manage your money while safeguarding against unauthorized access to your accounts.

What are the changes?

1. User IDs must be six characters long and can be made up of a combination of letters, numbers, and the following special characters: @ $ * _ - = . ! ~
   Note: User IDs can not be made up of numbers only.
2. Your password must be six or more characters long and must contain both letters and numbers and/or special characters.
   Note: If your current User ID and password already meet these upgraded minimum requirements, you do not need to make any changes and you will be prompted to move to the next step. If your current User ID and password do not meet these upgraded minimum requirements, you will need to make the changes before being prompted to the next step.
3. Once your User ID and password meet the upgraded minimum requirements, there will be one final step:Verification by phone / text. All online banking customers will be required to verify their identity by phone. After providing your User ID and password, you will be asked to provide a phone number for a phone that you have with you. We will immediately send an access code to your phone (via voice or SMS text message) that you will enter to complete your login. You can opt to have your device remembered, so you do not need to repeat this step each time you log in (see screen shot below). However, you must obtain a new access code for each computer or mobile device you use to log in that is not remembered on the system.

How will using my phone make my account safer?

We have implemented what is known as “multifactor authentication” which makes it more difficult for phishers and attackers to access your accounts without your knowledge. While this might seem unfamiliar, you actually use this process every time you visit an ATM. When you access your account from any ATM, you need both your ATM card (something that you have) and PIN (something that you know).

We have implemented the same type of protection by using both your password and your phone to access your account. By doing this, even if an attacker or a phisher manages to steal your password and tries to use it to log in, they would be unsuccessful because they would need your phone as well.

Will I always need to use both my password and my phone from now on?

The first time you attempt to log in from a new access device, you will need to use both your password and the access code you receive from your phone in order to log in. If you are accessing online banking from a private device that you personally use, you can opt for the system to remember your device for future logins.

By doing this, you will not need to repeat the step of obtaining an access code via phone, and you will only need your User ID and password in the future to log in.

For the best security protection, we suggest that you always use both your phone and your password. If you do opt to have your device remembered, we recommend that you do so only on devices that you personally own and that have the latest updates and virus protection software installed on them.

How about if I log in from another computer or mobile device?

The process is the same. The first time you log in to online banking from another device, you will need to use both your password and a new access code. However, you can choose to have your new device remembered on the system so you only need your User ID and password for future access to your account online.