COEUR d’ALENE, Idaho – Shortly after Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU) updated their eBranch Agreements and Disclosures at the end of June, social media was buzzing with the language used in Section 13 titled “Prohibited Uses” and disgruntled members started contacting the credit union in droves.
The main point of contention for members using the online banking services at ICCU started with the prohibition of using the money transfer services and bill pay services to pay for firearms and ammunition. This set of warning bells for members across the state who are vigilant in protecting their Second Amendment rights.
But other prohibited uses quickly caught the attention of frustrated members and many announced in posts and comments on social media that they would be closing all accounts and leaving ICCU permanently.
The backlash had ICCU officials offering several different explanations, or excuses, depending on your point-of-view. A rushed revision to the language in Section 13 was made in an effort to stem the onslaught from upset members. The current version can be found at https://www.iccu.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/eBranch-Agreement.pdf?v7-2024.
On July 8, KTVB7 News reported that ICCU stated, “On June 26, we updated our eBranch agreement to include standard industry verbiage regarding certain transactions. This updated wording caused confusion for some members, and we will therefore be clarifying the agreement in a future release. Nothing has changed in the way we process transactions or how members are able to utilize their accounts. We appreciate the questions and feedback. This helps us make adjustments to ensure future disclosures are more clear.”
A member reported on her social media account that ICCU officials told her that they had opened a branch in Washington and that was the reason for the language prohibiting using eBranch services to send or receive money for firearms, ammunition, and other weapons.
Before the credit union issued changes to the original language in their revised policy, Section 13 prohibited anyone to use their own money to pay for a list of items in 16 categories which included firearms, ammunition, or other weapons, traveler’s checks, money orders, cryptocurrencies, obscene or offensive activities or materials, Ponzi or pyramid schemes, and materials that promote intolerance, violence, or hate.
The policy was hastily updated to remove any reference to the above mentioned items, but kept prohibitions on using the eBranch services to send or receive money for any unlawful or illicit purpose or to use it to remit tax payments, court-ordered alimony or child support, fines, or gambling debts.
Some members report that ICCU has apologized and expressed their support of the Second Amendment, while others are saying it only counts if they issue that sentiment in writing.
Despite the more neutral language now found in the eBranch Agreement and assurances that it’s boilerplate language that all financial institutions use, ICCU is still embroiled in a public relations mess as members continue to be confused by the restrictive policy on how they use their own money, and many are openly stating their plans to withdraw their funds and close their accounts.
Update: On July 10, while accessing the ICCU Mobile App, another agreement was posted before members could access their eBranch banking. The language in Section 13 of the agreement has be revised again. In an attempt to calm the waters, the credit union has removed language about prohibiting specific use and put into writing that they will not monitor accounts to determine if use is lawful.
