Systems Information
- I heard I should not use Netscape 6.0 to access my bank account - is that true?
- I am having trouble with Internet Explorer 6.0 when accessing my account. How do I fix this?
- How long are check images available online?
- Do I need special software to access online banking from Principal Bank?
- How current is my account information?
- Is online banking secure and confidential?
- Are there personal precautions I should take regarding Internet security?
- Where and when can I use the system?
- Can I download my information to other programs?
- How does online banking help me balance my account?
I heard I should not use Netscape 6.0 to access my bank account - is that true?
When Netscape introduced version 6.0 of their browser, we discovered problems with it that render the bank account portion of customers' web sites inoperable. Our research on other sites and monitoring of official discussion groups indicates that other sites are experiencing similar problems.
We strive to support leading Internet technologies that offer our customers a better eFinance experience. In this spirit, we do not recommend consumers upgrade to Netscape Version 6.0.
We have spent extensive resources and time to ensure that the banking software runs reliably across multiple browsers. Normally technology improves with progressive releases of the product. However, our evaluation of Netscape 6.0, shows that the release does not follow HTML 4.0 standards and is, therefore, not a reliable tool for accessing our customers' sites.
This is the first time we have taken the position recommending against a particular browser. We are confident that future releases of Netscape will resolve these issues and we will continue to monitor and evaluate successive upgrade/releases of the product.
If you've already installed Netscape 6.0, we recommend upgrading to a more recent version or using Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher.
I am having trouble with Internet Explorer 6.0 when accessing my account. How do I fix this?
Be sure to download the Internet Explorer 6.0 Service Pack, which fixes a number of glitches with secure pages.
In addition, the "Security" and "Privacy" tabs under "Internet Options" in Internet Explorer 6.0 must be set to "Medium".
Lastly, in the "Advanced" tab, under "Internet Options", be sure "Do not save encrypted pages to disk." is not checked.
Note: These settings in the "Internet Options" window are all set as system defaults.
How long are check images available online?
Check images are available online for 90 days from the date the check clears your account. After 90 days, check copies are available by calling 1.800.672.3343.
Do I need special software to access online banking from Principal Bank?
If you are already surfing the Internet, then you most likely have all the software you need. Principal Bank requires that you use an SSL-compliant Internet browser. Two popular choices are Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. One of these browsers is usually included with a new personal computer.
How current is my account information?
Your account information is updated on the Internet at approximately 8:00 a.m. CT for the prior day's processed banking activity. Note that no banking activity is processed on weekends or on official bank holidays. For example:
Electronic transactions conducted on Friday before 6 p.m. are processed Friday night and posted to your Internet account on Saturday morning.
Transactions conducted on Saturday, Sunday or Monday are processed on Monday night (the next processing day) and posted Tuesday morning.
If Monday is a holiday, Bank transactions conducted on Saturday through Tuesday are processed on Tuesday night (the next processing day) and posted Wednesday morning.
Is online banking secure and confidential?
Principal Bank has taken every precaution to protect your bank information. Visit the Internet Security section of this site for more information.
Are there personal precautions I should take regarding Internet security?
Yes. The security of any system relies on more than just having the latest technology. Your user name and password are very important to the safety of your account information; do not share your password with anyone. Also, be sure to exit the Principal Bank site or close down your browser when you are through accessing your accounts.
Where and when can I use the system?
One of the advantages of banking with Principal Bank is that you can access your bank information wherever you can access the Internet. Some financial packages force you to keep your information on a single computer, and conduct your banking from that one computer. With Principal Bank, you can conduct banking transactions (pay bills, check your register, transfer funds) from any computer with Internet access…whether you are in a coffee shop in San Francisco, in your hotel room in New York or sitting in your den at home.
Can I download my information to other programs?
You can extract transaction data from a Principal Bank account and download this data as a .QIF file. This file can be imported into the Quicken suite of financial packages. See your Quicken manual for details.
How does online banking help me balance my account?
Principal Bank's online transaction register is an excellent tool for helping you keep your account balanced. Whenever you use your debit card to make a purchase, the transaction will appear on your account register automatically (usually within a day or two). ATM cash withdrawals work the same way.
When you write a check, you can enter the check in your transaction register. The check will appear against your balance, and will display as cleared once the check actually clears your account.
