Business Banking FAQs

Please contact the Deposit Escrow Management Department at 1-855-848-8696

Yes, you will receive a monthly statement, listing all of the activity on the Escrow Manager Master Checking account and a comprehensive, consolidated monthly report that lists all sub-accounts and detailed transaction activity, balance and interest for each account.

This reduces a great deal of paperwork, assists with accounting and provides a detailed audit trail.

Just visit your local branch to open the Escrow Manager Master Checking account.  You will receive a copy of the Escrow Manager Account Additional Terms, which outlines how the service works and your responsibilities.

Follow the same procedure for dispersing funds, but indicate that the sub-account is to be closed on the Sub-Account Transaction form.

eStatements are online versions of the paper statements you normally receive in the mail for your checking and savings accounts.

• Login to Online Banking and Click eStatements.
• On the Enrollment screen, Click Enroll. 
• Read the terms and conditions and click Continue. 
• Click Accept to agree to the terms and conditions, otherwise click Decline.
• After accepting the terms and conditions, the account(s) will be displayed on the welcome screen.

Simply log in to your online banking profile, and click “eStatements.”

Up to 5 years of eStatements are available.

No, they are free to anyone enrolled in Tompkins VIST Bank Online Banking service.

Once enrolled, you will no longer receive paper statements by mail.

The statements are provided in PDF format, which allows you to save them on your computer or print out when necessary.

This feature allows you to link Checking, Savings or Loan accounts with other financial institutions to your Online Banking account.  Once you have successfully linked your external accounts, they will appear in the transfer drop down menu.

After you submit a completed and signed form, your new external account will be added to your Internet Banking profile.  You will also receive a confirming email to let you know that the account is ready for you to transfer to or from (as applicable). 

Review all of our disclosures as well as our schedule of fees.

Just follow these simple steps.  You must have an active Retail Online Banking account (Business Internet Banking customers must use the provided ACH Cash Management functions to be in compliance with NACHA authorization requirements):

1. Log in to your Online Banking Account
2. Click on “Transfer”
3. Click on “Recipients”
4. Click “Add a Recipient”
5. Choose “An account at another bank or credit union”
6. Choose “Continue to form”
7. Print the form using your browser’s print function and complete and sign section
8. Return your completed and signed form to us either by US Postal Service, fax or dropping off at your local branch

Click here for additional assistance

Inbound Transfers will be credited to your account on the day the Transfer is effective, and the funds may be subject to holds based on our Funds Availability Policy. Your external account will be debited according to the transactions processing schedule of the other financial institution. 

Review Electronic Funds Transfer disclosure for any external transfer limit restrictions.

Mobile Banking allows you to access most of the same information you view in Online Banking.

No, Mobile Banking is free to Online Banking customers.  Your wireless telecommunications provider may charge you for data usage.  Check with your provider for details regarding your specific wireless plan and any data usage charges that may apply.

• Login to your Online Banking account and click the Other Services tab near the top of the screen.  Then click MOBILE BANKING.
• Read the Mobile Banking Addendum to the Internet Banking Agreement.  This contains the terms and conditions of use.  Click “I Accept” and submit to continue.
• Click on the Enroll link and enter the requested details, including a Mobile Login ID that you select, your Mobile Number and the Mobile Password you select.
• Click Enroll.
• After you enroll, you will receive 2 text messages – the first requesting you to reply YES to finish your enrollment.  The second will provide you with the URL for the Mobile Site.
• Once you reply with YES, you will receive 1 more text message – confirming your enrollment to SMS/text for Mobile Banking.
• (Tip:  Bookmark our mobile site in your favorites and add the text number to your phone’s contact list so you can quickly access mobile banking without having to re-type it each time.)

Note:  For Business Mobile Banking, the Internet Banking Administrator must assign mobile access through the Administration Tab.

The Android App is available for devices running on the Android operating system version 1.6 or greater.

Note:  Our current Android App currently supports firmware version 1.6 and greater.  To find out which firmware version you have on your Android device, please follow the steps provided here.

Mobile Banking may not be accessible or have limited abilities over some wireless networks (i.e. while roaming).  The availability, timeliness and functionality of Mobile Banking will depend upon the location, wireless network availability and signal strength, plus the configuration of hardware, software and the wireless device.

No.  You can only assign one mobile phone to each online banking account.

469228

To cancel, login to your Online Banking account and click the Other Services tab and then click on the Mobile tab.  Select Un-enroll to deactivate your account.

You can also text Stop All to 469228.

No, you can do Mobile Banking from most phones.  Non Smart phones can do SMS text only.

1. Be enrolled in Online Banking
2. Have a valid mobile phone and number
3. Have a mobile device with Internet access via a browser and/or have text messaging enabled
4. For mobile web browser you must have cookies enabled

On your mobile device, go to the App Store and search for Tompkins VIST Bank Mobile.  Select the app and press the FREE button.  Although you will not be charged for the download, your carrier’s data charges may apply.

The Approval Option allows you to easily approve drafted transactions requiring authorization.

Text Banking Security

Each text message request authenticates separately by checking that the mobile number of the device used to send the request corresponds to the device number registered for the user initiating the transaction.

Account values used by text commands are the account nicknames used within Internet Banking or masked account numbers.  They do not contain any unmasked account numbers.

Web Browser Security

Mobile Web Browser Banking (XHTML) uses the same security infrastructure as Internet Banking including:

• HTTPS encryption with 128-bit AES public key encryption certificates for all traffic between the mobile device and the internet and Mobile Banking servers.
• Connection via secured-socket layer (SSL)
• No data or application pages are stored on the mobile device with each page being retrieved on-demand.
• Authentication is session-based using a Mobile Login; Mobile PIN and the same MFA (Multi Factor Authentication – which is our challenge question process) used for Internet Banking to authenticate the user for the duration of the browsing session.
• Mobile Password 3-Strike Lockout.  You can unlock yourself by changing your Password within Internet Banking.

As soon as you are aware that your phone is lost you should login to your Online Banking account and click Other Services tab and then click on the Mobile tab.  Select Disable Mobile Access and this will deactivate your account.  When you find your phone you can then reactivate the service.  This will prevent anyone who finds the phone from attempting to access your account.

If you switch to a new mobile number, sign into your Online Banking account and click on the Other Services tab,  Then click on the Mobile tab.  Select Change Login Details.  Change your phone number and select save. 

You will be charged the standard SMS rate from your provider (AT&T, Verizon, Cellular South etc.).  Standard/other charges may apply.  The Bank is not responsible for these charges. 

Overdraft Courtesy is a service that we offer for times when you may inadvertently overdraw your account.  We will have the discretion to pay the overdraft, subject to the limit of your Overdraft Courtesy and the amount of the overdraft fee.  Overdraft Courtesy is not a line of credit.  Read the Discretionary Overdraft Courtesy Disclosure for more details.

Yes, any and all fees and charges, including without limitation the non-sufficient funds fees (as set forth in our fee schedules and deposit account agreement and disclosure), will be included as part of this maximum amount.  It may be possible that your account will become overdrawn in excess of the Overdraft Courtesy amount as a result of the assessment of a fee.

It’s a one-time, non-recurring purchase. It is not a recurring payment that you’ve set up to charge automatically to your debit card, such as a monthly payment for a gym membership.  

Yes, you will be charged an overdraft fee for each item that creates an overdraft on your account.  For example, if you have an available balance of $20, and you have three items presented to your account on the same day for $30 each, you will be charged three overdraft fees. 

Transactions may not be processed in the order in which they occurred, and the order in which transactions are received and processed may impact the total amount of fees incurred. 

Opting-In pertains to everyday debit card and ATM transactions covered by a bank’s standard overdraft practices such as Overdraft Courtesy. If you do not Opt-In, we may continue to extend Overdraft Courtesy to cover your checks, transfers and recurring payments.

No, either one of you can Opt-In to give authorization for the joint account and either of you can revoke the Opt-In for the account at a later time. We will use the most recent instructions on file.  

Overdraft Courtesy may supplement your overdraft protection services:

Both Savings Overdraft Protection and an Overdraft Line of Credit are overdraft protection services to prevent overdrafts. When there aren’t enough funds available in your checking account to cover a transaction, funds are transferred from your savings account or credit line to prevent an overdraft, and there is a $10 transfer fee per transfer. If you Opt-In and there aren’t enough funds in your savings account or Overdraft Line of Credit to cover the transaction, we may, at our discretion, extend Overdraft Courtesy to pay it, and our standard $38 overdraft fee per item would be charged.  If we don’t have your Opt-In on file, we will no longer be able to extend Overdraft Courtesy to approve an everyday debit card or ATM transaction when you don’t have enough funds available in checking, Savings Overdraft Protection, or an Overdraft Line of Credit to cover it. Regretfully, your transaction will be declined.  

An overdraft item fee of $38 is charged each time we cover an overdraft that results in a negative end-of-day available balance.

Overdrafts may be created by check, recurring payment, transfer, withdrawal, Debit or ATM Bankcard transaction, or other electronic means.

Once an overdraft has occurred, you must bring your account to a positive balance within thirty (30) days for a minimum of 24 hours.

Whether your overdraft will be paid is at Tompkins VIST Bank’s discretion, and we reserve the right not to pay. For example, we typically do not pay overdrafts if:    

• You do not bring your account to a positive balance within every thirty (30) day period for a minimum of 24 hours
• You are in default on any loan or other obligation to Tompkins VIST Bank 
• You are subject to any legal or administrative order or levy
• Your use of the Overdraft Courtesy has been excessive or abusive

The Courtesy for consumer checking accounts will generally be limited to a maximum $700 overdraft (negative) balance. This Courtesy for commercial accounts will generally be limited to a maximum $1,000 overdraft (negative) balance.

Payment of an overdraft is at our discretion, and the amount of Overdraft Courtesy we may extend is based on your account history. We reserve the right not to pay an overdraft; for example, if the account is not in good standing, if deposits are not being made regularly, or if there have been excessive overdrafts.  

There is no cost to keep Overdraft Courtesy in place on your account as a safety net. If you use the protection and we advance funds to cover your transaction, our standard overdraft item fee of $38 will be charged to your account.  

Yes, for consumer accounts there is a daily limit of 6 overdraft fees per day we can charge you for overdrawing your account.  There is no daily limit for business accounts.  

An overdraft should be repaid promptly, but you must bring your account to a positive balance within thirty (30) days for a minimum of 24 hours. 

You can always change your mind and revoke your Opt-In at any time at your branch, by calling 1-888-238-3330, or by visiting   www.vistbank.com/revoke  or by printing and mailing the completed revocation form to:

Deposit Operations

PO Box 460

Ithaca, NY 14851  

No, the regulation requires that an Opt-In be on file for each account.

We offer two overdraft protection plan alternatives for checking accounts. The first is an Overdraft Protection Line of Credit – funds are transferred from your available credit line to prevent an overdraft in checking (requires credit approval). The second is Savings Overdraft Protection – funds are transferred from your linked savings account to prevent an overdraft in checking. Transfer fees apply for both services. Ask for details.  

With Remote Deposit your business can scan and submit your check deposits electronically from the convenience of your place of business.

There is no software to install, no computers to upgrade, and no PC to dedicate exclusively. All you need is a Windows PC with a high speed Internet connection, Microsoft Internet Explorer browser and the check scanner that we provide.

Minimum system requirements are a computer running Microsoft Windows 2000 or higher, Internet Explorer 7.0 or later, a high speed Internet connection, and an available USB port for the scanner we provide.

No, the system will create a Virtual endorsement.

Good practice would be to store the original checks in a secure location until you receive your bank statement that shows the deposit and then shred them within 30 days.

No. Our software will create an image of a deposit ticket for each deposit you make, and the image will be included on the checking account statement we mail you each month.

Yes. Detailed information for each check in each deposit can be exported as a comma delimited file, with optional fields for customer numbers, invoice numbers, etc. The file can then be imported into any application software for automated reconciliation.

The service allows for faster deposits, more efficient collections, and tremendous convenience for you and your employees.

You accept check payments from your customers and simply scan and submit those checks securely over the Internet to Tompkins VIST Bank. We process your deposit as we would with physical checks.

You can deposit as often as you like. Deposits made before 6pm (except for weekends and holidays) are credited to your account the next business day, subject to our normal funds availability policy.

No. Once a check is scanned, you retain the original, for up to 30 days. A detailed report lists each check in the deposit, along with all of the information about the check. 

We will return the image of the check to you in the mail, just the same as any paper check that is returned unpaid.

When we process your deposit, a report will be generated, and available on your report list.   You will see the deposit posted to your checking account the next business day when you sign onto Internet Banking.

We offer incoming and outgoing Domestic and International wire transfer services for Tompkins VIST Bank customers.  We are SWIFT connected to make international wire transfers safe and easy.

SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is a member-owned cooperative through which the financial world conducts its business operations with speed, certainty and confidence. More than 8,300 banking organizations, securities institutions and corporate customers in more than 208 countries use SWIFT’s technologies to exchange millions of standardized financial messages – including international wire transfers.