After the transition, you will not be able to access your statements in online banking from the period prior to March 19, 2021. If you want to keep copies, please download and print or save them now. However, staff can help you access specific statements after the transition.
Post Transition
- Help
- Post Transition
Here’s what you need to know
Some things are different now that Creative Arts Financial accounts have been moved over to FirstOntario's banking system. Be sure to review so you are aware of the changes.
New services that are available to you
- Deposit a cheque in minutes with Deposit Anywhere™, a free, easy-to-use and secure service.
- Send Interac e-Transfers, request money and set up Autodeposit to make moving money much easier.
- Centralize all of your banking in one place with ClickSWITCH, a convenient and secure free service
- Link your Credential investment products directly to your online banking with Account Plus for quick and easy access.
- Set up CRA direct deposits online in no time
- Access to USD chequing and savings accounts
- Wealth, financial planning and business services
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I have access to my monthley statements after March 19, 2021?
Will I get a monthly statement for March 2021?
There will be two statements for the month of March. The first one will include transactions from March 1 until March 19. The second statement will include details from March 20 to March 31. Statements for March 1 to 19 are available by request.
You will receive regular eStatements in online banking for the second half of March.
Will my login and password for online banking be the same as it was before?
You will use your new Creative Arts Financial debit card number (not your member number) to log in to FirstOntario’s online banking.
When you log in to online banking for the first time post-transition, you will be asked to change your temporary Personal Access Code (PAC) or password to a stronger one with certain specifications. You should have received your temporary PAC when you were contacted before the transition to confirm your personal details.
When you log in for the first time, you will also be required to set up a series of questions and answers for security purposes.
Will online banking look the same after the transition?
Once the transition is complete, you will have access to FirstOntario’s online banking platform. Here you’ll find lots of convenient ways to manage your money 24/7. Later this year, we’ll be launching a separate online banking platform, specific to the needs of our Creative Arts Financial members.
Can we access a mobile banking app?
Yes! After the transition, members who are already set up for online banking will have access to FirstOntario’s mobile app where you can bank on the go, anytime, anywhere using your smartphone. You can download the app now. Check your balances, deposit cheques and find the nearest ding-free ATM in no time!
As with online banking, we will also be launching a new mobile app – exclusively for Creative Arts Financial members – later this year.
Will my INTERAC e-Transfer recipients and e-Transfer history transfer over after the transition?
No they will not. You will have to set up all of your recipients now that the transition is complete.
I had pending e-Transfers before the transition. Will those be sent once the transition is complete?
No. Any e-Transfers that were pending as of March 18 were cancelled and the funds were returned to you. You will need to resend these.
Will my bill payees carry over after the transition?
No they will not. Bill payees will have to be set up again after the transition.
Will my direct deposits, automated transfers between accounts and pre-authorized debits transfer over?
Yes, these remain the same. You will not have to set these up again.
Will my statements be the same?
You will still receive monthly statements if you have a chequing account and a quarterly statement otherwise, and they will look different.
Will I get a monthly statement for March?
There will be two statements for the month of March. The first one will include transactions from March 1 until March 19. The second statement will include details from March 20 to March 31. Statements for March 1 to 19 are available by request.
You will receive regular eStatements in online banking for the second half of March.
Will there be any changes to Creative Arts Financial's prime rate after the transition?
If you have a variable loan, line of credit or a variable rate mortgage with Creative Arts Financial, the actual interest rate you are paying at the time of merger will not change at this time. Your rate and current payment amount will remain the same until FirstOntario changes its prime lending rate.
As of March 19, 2021, FirstOntario will amend the referenced interest rate for your class of variable rate loan product from “Creative Arts Financial Prime Lending Rate” to “FirstOntario’s Prime Lending Rate.”
Will my account numbers change?
Yes, your account numbers will be different. You can locate your new account numbers in online and mobile banking. Your previous cheques will still work and your direct deposits and preauthorized payments will carry over after the transition, you will not have to set these up again.
Will loan payments be taken out of my account on the same date/time after the transition?
Loan and mortgage payments will be debited from your account on the same days as before the transition, but first thing in the morning.
What if I don’t have my new debit card after the transition?
You need this card for ATM and debit services and to log in to online and mobile banking. If you have not received your card, please give us a call at 1-866-800-ARTS (2787) so we can make sure you receive one.
Will ePost be available during the transition weekend?
This service will not be available as of March 17. You will have to register again for ePost after the transition.
Will we have to order new cheques after March 22?
No. You will still be able to use the cheques you currently have. These will work with your new corresponding account.
Will the current website stay the same?
On March 22, a new Creative Arts Financial website launched. The new website will showcase the new products and services that are available to you. This is where you will log in to FirstOntario’s online banking system to access your accounts and manage your money.
This website will continue to develop so we can consistently offer a better banking experience for Creative Arts Financial members.
How do I name my new accounts?
Once you log in to online banking, choose Rename Accounts – you’ll see it on the left side under My Accounts. Choose the account, enter the name and hit Continue. Give it a quick review, and when you are ready, hit Submit.