What are Mobile Banking Card Controls & Alerts?

Mobile card controls & alerts allows you to control how, when, and where your Northern Bank Debit Mastercard® is used. It is a simple and secure way to manage and monitor your payment transaction activity. It can help keep your debit card safe and provide instant push notifications whenever your card is used.

What is required to use it?

Card controls require you to have an activated Northern Bank Debit Mastercard®. You will also need to download the Northern Bank mobile banking app to an Apple or Android smartphone and have online banking credentials.

Is there a fee to use the service?

No. It is provided to you free, so you have more control over your debit card.

How many debit cards can I manage?

Unlimited, but the card(s) must be your Northern Bank issued debit card(s).

How do I begin managing and monitoring my payment activity?

You can begin using the service immediately. When turning the card off, the card will show a status of ‘Off’ on the Card Controls app page. This means that all transactions (except recurring transactions) will be declined. When ready to make a purchase, you can turn the card back on instantly.

You can also selectively set controls and alerts by channel (in-store, online, mobile, ATM, etc.). You can set transaction spend limits, select geographic locations where your debit card can be used, set specific merchant categories, view recent transaction history, receive real-time alerts and much more.

What is a real-time alert?

It is an immediate push notification sent to your mobile device. You can select to be alerted on all payment transactions including recurring payments, or you can select just preferred transactions. Preferred alerts are available by spend limits, location, transaction type and merchant category.

By turning my card off am I closing my account?

No. Using card controls does not change the status of your checking or money market account.

How long does it take for a control or alert setting to take effect?

It happens immediately after you set and save the option.

If I have my card turned off will my recurring transactions go through?

Yes. Merchant recurring transactions will be approved. Additionally, you can select to receive alerts on recurring transactions.

Under Location Controls, can I use My Regions and Block International at the same time?

My Regions cannot be used in conjunction with International. You must choose one or the other.

I turned my card on and set My Location. I was at the merchant, and my transaction was still declined. Why?

Sign into mobile banking. Click on More. Select Card Controls. Select your debit card. Review the controls that are enabled for your card. My location requires access to the mobile device’s Location Services to work correctly, check your mobile device settings to ensure you have allowed access. The transaction could also be declined because of external factors like insufficient funds or fraud monitoring. If you are unable to determine why your transaction was declined, please call us at 800-273-6908.

What are Alert Preferences?

Alert preferences let you know every time a card transaction is attempted. You can be alerted for all, or individually selected transactions. Preferred alerts are also available by location, transaction type, merchant type, and threshold amount.

My alerts are supposed to notify me of every transaction, but I am not receiving them.

Sign into mobile banking. Click on More. Select Alerts. Review the Alerts that are enabled for your card. If the Alerts are set correctly, please call us at 800-273-6908.

Once I get a new, replacement smartphone how do I begin using the service again?

Just download the mobile banking app to your new smartphone and login with your current online banking user id and password. You can then set your card controls and alert preferences again.

I received a new card number. Will it be automatically updated in the app?

When a card number changes, you will need to enable the new card. This can be done by going to Card Controls in the mobile banking app. Click on Add. A list of your eligible debit cards will be presented. Select the new card to add to Card Control. The new card will then appear in the Card Controls page. Remember to remove the old card. To remove the old card, select the card and click on Remove card on the Details app page.

I only want to manage one of my cards, but they're all being displayed.

To select the card(s) you wish to remove from Card Controls. Click on Remove card. Once a card is removed, controls and alerts cannot be set for that card until it is added back to Card Controls.

How do I get more information about the features and functionality of Card Controls & Alerts?

Sign into mobile banking app. Click on More. Select Help. Establish Card Controls and Setting Card Alerts can be found at the bottom of the page.