Q & A

About Us

Who is Bank of the Wichitas® ?

  • Bank of the Wichitas®  was established in 1913.  It has four locations in Snyder, Cache, Elgin, and Medicine Park, OK.  Bank of the Wichitas®  has been operated by the same family since 1943. How amazing it is for a bank not to have been bought or sold in over 65 years!  We are a stable, well-established entity.  Our executives and officers are well-educated and well-respected in the banking industry.  We are insured by the FDIC.

Why should I bank with you?

  • Our products are great! Our Wichita Rewards Rewards Checking and Super Money Market accounts offer high interest rates and low or no fees*. We also offer many great services including VISA® CheckCards, Overdraft Privilege, Bill Pay, and Bank-to-Bank Transfer. We offer the convenience of banking anywhere you have internet access 24/7. When you call our Customer Service department, you will talk directly to a personal representative to give you quick responses to your questions and concerns – no endless menus to try to negotiate to get an answer! We have state-of-the-art computers and technology to manage and protect your account.
    * Please refer to ‘Terms and Conditions’ of account type.

How are you different from a local bank in my home town?

  • We offer a totally online service to manage your accounts in addition to four locations with convenient lobby and drive-thru hours and personal service to help you conduct your banking business. You can manage your account(s) from anywhere in the world through the Internet. Your money is accessible from virtually any ATM world-wide. We offer free Bill Pay and Bank-to-Bank Transfer for your convenience along with Overdraft Privilege allowing you to overdraw your account*. There is a convenient link on our homepage to our internet division, Redneck Bank®, where you can open high-yield interest-bearing checking account as well as a FREE checking account. This allows you the convenience of opening new accounts online without having to wait on signatures, faxes, or the U.S. Mail. It can all be done electronically.
    *Please refer to the Terms and Conditions of account type.

Where are you based?

  • We are based in Snyder, OK.

How do I know my money is safe?

  • We have state-of-the-art internet security to protect your account.  Also, the FDIC has insured us since its inception in 1934, and we are regulated by state and federal agencies.

Do I need to worry about identity theft?

  • You do not need to worry about the information you give the bank.  Please refer to the Free Online Banking Tutorials for more information about protecting your identity.

Do you disclose any of my information?

  • No, we do not sell or release any of your personal information to anyone except as permitted by law. For instance, if you order checks, we will need to give your name and address to the check printing company.  Or we may need to release your personal information for legal reasons like tax liens, garnishments, or subpoenas.  If you have questions, please refer to our privacy policy or call Customer Service.

About Our Accounts

Opening An Account

How long does it take to open an account with you?

  • Most applications are approved or denied during the original application process as long as your identity can be confirmed. Once your application is approved and your account is funded, you will be assigned an account number. From this point on, your account is open. The entire process usually takes 15-30 minutes. Most applications are approved or denied during the original application process as long as your identity can be confirmed through a series of questions that only you should know. Your application may be delayed if more information is needed for approval. Once your application is approved and your account is funded, you will be assigned an account number.  From this point on, your account is open and accessible.  The entire process usually takes 1-5 business days depending on how you fund your account.  If you register your account online, you can access many convenient services to manage your account including Bill Pay, Bank-to-Bank Transfers, In-House Transfers, email notifications and electronic statements.  From this point on your account is open and accessible.  

What do you need from me to open an account?

  • We need your Social Security Number and Driver’s License or State ID Numbers. You will also need to answer a few questions so we can verify your identity.

How much money do I need to open an account?

  • The amount varies depending on the type of account opened.

How do I fund my new account?

  • The most common ways to fund a new account are to make a cash deposit, write a check, or transfer money from an existing Bank of the Wichitas®  account. You can also use a wire transfer* or mail in a check to fund your new account. After the account is funded you will receive an account number and temporary checks and deposit slips until your check order is filled.
    *Money Wiring Instructions form is located under Other Services.

What is the routing number for Bank of the Wichitas® ?

  • The routing number for Bank of the Wichitas®  is 103109714.

Can I earn interest on my money?

  • Two of our accounts, Wichita Rewards Rewards Checking* and Super Money Market*, offer high interest rates.
    *Please refer to the ‘Terms and Conditions’ of account type.

Is there a monthly maintenance fee associated with active accounts?

  • Many of our accounts we offer are FREE*.
    *Please refer to the ‘Terms and Conditions’ of account type.

Using Your Account

Where can I get cash?

  • You can get cash from virtually any ATM worldwide!  You can also get cash from any merchant that allows cash-back transactions with your Bank of the Wichitas®  VISA® CheckCard (debit card).

How can I make deposits into my account?

  • You can make deposits by direct deposit* from your employer or regular source income. You can deliver deposits to the bank lobby or drive-thru window, mail checks or send wire transfers*. You can also transfer money from another account at another financial institution (bank, savings and loan, credit union, brokerage firm, etc.) using our free Bank-to-Bank Transfer service, or you can transfer money between Bank of the Wichitas®  accounts, all with a click of the mouse.
    *Direct Deposit and Money Wiring Instructions forms are available under Other Services.

When will deposits show up in my account?

  • Direct Deposits, Wire Transfers, and In-House Transfers show up and are available to you the day we receive them.  Bank-to-Bank transfers being deposited to your account from another financial institution are held for 3 days before they go into your account on the 4th day.  Of course, we have no control over the mail, but deposits that are mailed to us are deposited into your account the day we receive them. It is our policy to make those funds available by the next day after the deposit is made. Our mail arrives at 8:30 am CST each business day.  Sometimes a hold is placed on a deposit containing checks until the checks clear.  In this case, the deposit is reflected in your “Current Balance” until the hold is released.  Then the deposit is reflected in your “Available Balance” for your immediate use.

How often is my account updated?

  • Your account is updated continually.

How do I check my balance?

  • You can check your balance anytime by logging into your account through our website at www.bankofthewichitas.com, by viewing your balance at an ATM, or by calling Customer Service during business hours.

How do I know what debits (charges) or credits (deposits) have been posted to my account?

  • Login to your account anytime through our website to view all of the transactions in your account.  Your account is updated continually.

Can I transfer money between accounts?

  • Yes. You have more flexibility than ever before. You can transfer money between accounts at Bank of the Wichitas®  with our In-House Transfer service, or between accounts with other financial institutions including other banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and brokerage firms using our Bank-to-Bank Transfer* service.
    *Bank-to-Bank Transfers is a discretionary service.

What is the difference between “Available Balance” and “Current Balance”?

  • “Available Balance” is the money in your account that is immediately accessible to you.  ”Current Balance” includes all pending transactions.

Why doesn’t the back button work when I’m logged into my account?

  • When you log into your account, a secure connection is established.  The back button is disabled for the protection of your information.  This also prevents any information previously submitted from being sent again accidentally.

What if I need to order a stop payment on a check?

  • Contact Customer Service at (580) 569-2313.

Overdrafts

How do I enroll in Overdraft Privilege?

  • You have the right to ‘Opt In’ to this service at any time once you qualify.  If you ‘Opt In’ when opening a new account, after a 30-day waiting period, the service will be activated.  If at any time following the 30-day waiting period you choose to ‘Opt In’, simply log into your account online, click the ‘Overdraft Opt In/Out’ button in the menu bar, and fill out and submit the online form.  Or call Customer Service and tell them you want this service.

What if my account is overdrawn?

  • We will notify you by mail or email if your account is overdrawn. You can look at your account activity through our website to see what debits have cleared. We offer Overdraft Privilege* to all eligible accounts. There is a $25.00 overdraft fee per item with a maximum of $200.00 per day. When you make mistakes or write a check for more money than you have in your account, we have a discretionary overdraft service that may cover the overdraft until you can make a deposit.
    *This is a discretionary service. Some restrictions apply. Please read the Overdraft Privilege Policy to clarify any questions you may have.

How can I reduce overdraft fees?

  • You can reduce overdraft fees by having at least two accounts in Bank of the Wichitas®  and authorizing us to tie them together so that one of your accounts can cover overdrafts in your other account.

How do I qualify for Overdraft Privilege?

  • If you made deposits totaling at least $500 during the last 30 days, you qualify for Overdraft Privilege. You must continually qualify for Overdraft Privilege by making deposits of at least $500 every 30 days. This is a discretionary service.

Monthly Statements

How often will I receive a statement?

  • You will receive a statement monthly.  You have the choice of either receiving your statement through the U.S. mail, electronically, or both.  If you choose to receive your statement electronically, you will be notified by email when it is available.  You may choose to simply view it, print it or to download it into your personal money management software.  Available formats for Transaction Exporting are Comma Separated File [.CSV], Intuit Quicken [.QIF], Microsoft Money [.OFX], Intuit QuickBooks [.IIF], Intuit Quicken [.QFX], Intuit QuickBooks [.QBO]

What is Annual Percentage Yield (APY)?

  • Interest Rate is the annual rate of interest paid on an account and does not reflect compounding.  Annual Percentage Yield (APY) reflects the total amount of interest paid on an account, based on the interest rate and the frequency of compounding for a 365-day period and calculated according to the rules of the Truth In Savings Act.  The APY is normally higher than the Interest Rate because it assumes that all compounded interest credited to an interest bearing account will remain on deposit in that account.  The Bank is required to report APY on your monthly statements and to disclose the APY when advertising interest bearing accounts.

How is the interest rate reported on my monthly statement calculated?

  • The interest rate reported on your monthly statement is the Annual Percentage Yield (APY).  Wichita Rewards Rewards Checking pays the highest APY on the first $10,000 in your account, then a lower (but very competitive) APY on balances over $10,000.  Therefore, if you have more than $10,000 in your account, the APY reported will be calculated based on a “blended” rate.  The APY on the first $10,000 balance is blended proportionally with the lower APY on the daily balance over $10,000. 

On the Wichita Rewards Rewards Checking account, when does the monthly statement close?

  • The monthly statement closes on the 3rd Wednesday of every month.

About Our Other Services

How long does it take to get my VISA® CheckCard?

  • It takes 5-10 business days after your new account is funded. Your PIN (personal identification number) will arrive separately from your VISA® CheckCard, but within the same timeframe.

Is there a fee for using my VISA® CheckCard?

  • The only fee that we charge on debit cards is $.75 per cash withdrawal from an ATM. However, our Wichita Rewards Rewards Checking Account offers you a refund of the $.75 charges as well as ATM surcharges if you meet the monthly requirements. All VISA® CheckCard transactions are free at merchant locations.

Where can I use my new VISA® CheckCard?

  • Anywhere VISA® is accepted and at virtually all ATM’s worldwide.

Is there a limit on my VISA® CheckCard?

  • For your protection, there is a daily limit on your debit card of $600 for cash and $600 for purchases.

What if I want to get the limit on my VISA® CheckCard increased?

  • Call Customer Service.

When can I use my new VISA® CheckCard?

  • You can use your new VISA® CheckCard as soon as you receive your card and your unique PIN (Personal Identification Number). You may go to any ATM to activate your card by checking your balance.

Is there a limit on Bank-to-Bank Transfers?

  • Yes, $2500 per day.

About Our Customer Service

When can I talk to someone in Customer Service?

  • You can call Customer Service at (580) 569-2313 on Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.  You can also use our secure ‘Contact Us’ for online to send us any questions, concerns, or information safely.

What are bank hours?

  • Please refer to ‘Locations & Hours’ on our home page for a complete listing of lobby and drive-thru hours for each of our locations.  You can check your balance or transfer money into or out of your account(s) online 24/7.  If you need to talk to someone about any account questions you can call Customer Service at (580) 569-2313 on Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm or use our secure ‘Contact Us’ form online.

How do I contact you?

  • Our mailing address is Bank of the Wichitas®, P.O. Box 348, Snyder, OK  73566.  Our phone number is (580) 569-2313.  Customer Service hours are on Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.  We can also be contacted securely through email using our secure online ‘Contact Us’ form.

What if I need to order checks?

  • If you have a need for paper checks, they are available to you.  Please contact Customer Service.

What if I need to change my address?

  • To change your address using Online Banking, simply login to your account, click the ‘Change Address’ option in the top menu bar, complete the blanks in the online form, and submit the application. We will contact you to verify you are the account holder and authorized the change of address.
  • If you do not use Online Banking, please call (580) 569-2313 to notify Customer Service of any changes to your address.