Mobile Banking App

How It Works

The Valley First mobile app connects directly to your accounts and provides instant access to balances, transaction history, mobile check deposit, bill pay, and peer-to-peer transfers with biometric security.

Download the Valley First mobile banking app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, then log in using the same username and password you use for online banking. The first login requires your full credentials and the multi-factor authentication method you set up during online banking enrollment. After that, you can enable biometric login — fingerprint or facial recognition — so that subsequent access requires only a glance or a tap.

Once logged in, the app displays your account summary on the home screen. Checking, savings, loan, and credit card balances update in real time as transactions post. Tapping any account opens a detailed view with running balance, pending transactions, and a searchable transaction history going back 24 months. The app caches the most recent account data locally, so even with a slow connection, you will see your balances from the last successful sync.

Mobile Check Deposit

Deposit checks directly through the Valley First app by photographing the front and back of an endorsed check — most funds become available within one business day.

Mobile check deposit eliminates trips to the branch or ATM. Open the app, tap the deposit icon, select the destination account, and enter the check amount. The app guides you through photographing the front of the check, then the back with your endorsement signature. Valley First recommends writing "For Mobile Deposit Only — Valley First" beneath your signature for added security.

The deposit system uses image-quality analysis that checks for blur, glare, and proper check alignment before accepting the image. If the image quality is insufficient, the app prompts you to retake the photo with on-screen guidance. Once both images pass quality checks and you confirm the deposit, a confirmation number appears on screen. A confirmation email follows within minutes. Most deposits submitted before 6:00 PM PT on business days post the same day, with funds typically available the next business morning.

Mobile deposit limits vary by account type and member history. Standard personal checking accounts start with a $2,500 daily limit and $5,000 monthly limit. Members who maintain their accounts in good standing for six months can request higher limits through secure messaging in the app. Business checking accounts receive higher default limits based on account activity patterns. The app clearly displays your current available deposit limit on the deposit screen before you begin.

Card Controls and Security Features

The Valley First app lets you freeze or unfreeze your debit card, set transaction dollar limits, restrict purchases by merchant type, and receive instant alerts for every swipe.

Card controls put security directly in your hands. If you misplace your debit card, you can freeze it with one tap in the app rather than canceling it outright. When you find the card, unfreeze it just as quickly. The freeze takes effect immediately on the payment network, so even if someone attempts to use the card within seconds of the freeze, the transaction declines. This feature eliminates the need to cancel and replace cards after temporary misplacement.

You can also set transaction limits by dollar amount, merchant category, and geographic region. For example, a parent might set a $50 per-transaction limit on a teen's linked debit card, restrict ATM withdrawals to in-network machines, and block purchases categorized as entertainment or dining. Travel notices filed through the app automatically adjust geographic restrictions for the dates of a trip. All controls apply in real time and can be modified or removed at any moment.

The app sends push notifications for every transaction that posts to your account, including the merchant name, amount, and remaining balance. These instant alerts help members catch unauthorized charges immediately rather than waiting for a monthly statement. Valley First fraud monitoring runs alongside card controls, so if the automated system detects suspicious activity, the app sends an alert asking you to confirm or deny the transaction with a single tap. Confirming a flagged transaction as legitimate prevents unnecessary card blocks.

Mobile App Features Compared

Feature	Mobile App	Desktop Online Banking	Notes
Account Dashboard	Yes	Yes	Identical real-time balances
Mobile Check Deposit	Yes	Via scanner	App uses phone camera; faster
Biometric Login	Yes	No	Fingerprint and facial recognition
Push Notifications	Yes	No	Instant transaction and alert delivery
Card Controls	Yes	Yes	Freeze, limits, merchant restrictions
Bill Pay	Yes	Yes	Full bill pay functionality on both
Fund Transfers	Yes	Yes	Internal and external ACH transfers
E-Statements	View only	View and download	Desktop offers bulk PDF export
Spending Reports	Basic	Full	Desktop includes CSV export and tax prep
Offline Access	Yes	No	App caches last-synced data locally

Getting Started with the Mobile App

Download the app, log in with your Valley First online banking credentials, enable biometric access, and customize your notification preferences in under ten minutes.

Before installing the mobile app, ensure you have an active Valley First online banking account. If you have not yet enrolled in online banking, complete that step first — the mobile app uses the same login credentials. The app is compatible with devices running iOS 14 or later and Android 8.0 or later. Valley First recommends keeping your device operating system updated to the latest version for security and compatibility.

After installing and logging in, navigate to the settings menu to configure your preferences. Enable biometric login for faster access. Set your notification preferences: you can choose to receive push notifications for all transactions, only transactions above a dollar threshold, or only security-related events like password changes and new device logins. The notification settings are granular, so you can receive alerts for withdrawals while suppressing notifications for deposits, or vice versa.

Valley First publishes release notes with each app update describing new features, bug fixes, and security improvements. The app supports automatic updates through the App Store and Play Store. Members who rely heavily on mobile banking should enable automatic updates to receive security patches immediately. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides additional guidance on mobile banking security best practices, including avoiding public Wi-Fi for financial transactions and using device-level encryption.