Guardian Savings Bank FAQ

Fixed-rate mortgage loans will not receive a monthly mortgage statement. These accounts will receive a coupon book for monthly payment approximately 4 weeks after loan closing. If your loan is a fixed rate and you would prefer statements, you can enroll electronically to receive them and replace future coupon book receipt. See our enrollment guide here. You must have an Online Banking account established and can enroll utilizing the enclosed guide.

Adjustable-rate mortgage loans will receive statements after the 20th of each month.

Construction loans and Home Equity loans will receive statements after the 1st of each month due to draw capabilities through the end of the prior month.

All adjustable-rate mortgage loans can enroll for electronic statements if desired. Please note enrollment is not retroactive and will only allow future statements to be sent electronically.

Guardian offers several options for making payments on your mortgage loan. You may choose any option that is convenient for you!

• To enroll in automatic payments, please contact us at 513-842-0972 or via e-mail at [email protected] to obtain the necessary forms. Additionally, you may click here to download the “Authorization for Automatic Payments” form and e-mail it to us for processing. Please note – if your loan payment is due within the next seven (7) business days, an automatic payment will be setup for the following month. You will be required to make your current payment due.
• Click here to use our bill pay option or, if a current Guardian customer, through your online banking portal.
• Make a payment at one of our branch locations. Click here to find the nearest Guardian Savings Bank branch.
• You may also opt to mail a check or money order to:

Guardian Savings Bank
2774 Blue Rock Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45239
Attn: Loan Servicing

Absolutely!

Click here to login to your online banking account and make your mortgage payment.

Additionally, to enroll in automatic payments, please contact us at 513-842-0972 or via e-mail at [email protected] to obtain the necessary forms. Also, you may click here to download the “Authorization for Automatic Payments” form to e-mail us.

Please note – if your loan payment is due within the next seven (7) business days, an automatic payment will be setup for the following month. You will be required to make your current payment due.

In most cases, no. Your automatic payment through Guardian will adjust accordingly with the change in your payment. The reason it may need to be updated is if your setup is static – meaning always pay the same amount and do not adjust when your payment changes.

• If you setup your automatic payment through the Pay Mortgage portal on our website, you may need to adjust if you set the payment to be static each month and your new payment is more than this static amount. You must login and adjust this payment personally. Guardian cannot adjust this payment for you.
• If your automatic payment enrollment with Guardian was also static, then it may need adjustment if the new payment exceeds the current static amount. If so, a new automatic payment form will be necessary to adjust.

Instructions on how to make a one-time mortgage payment or enroll to make recurring payments may be found here.

Please note – the Pay Mortgage portal does not provide your current balance, how your mortgage payment was applied or any additional information about your mortgage loan. If you would like to view this information, please enroll for Online Banking. A guide may be found here.

Yes. If you setup automatic payments through your bank or through our bill payer system on GuardianSavingsBank.com, you will need to cancel them personally. However, if you requested Guardian to draft from your bank, you may cancel by calling us at (513) 842-0972, e-mailing us at [email protected] or by clicking here to download the “Cancellation of Automatic Payments” form, filling it out and returning to our e-mail address. We are unable to cancel any auto payment requests within 3 business days of drafting as the process has already begun. We will cancel for the following payment.

A rate change notice is sent only when the interest rate or monthly payment is changing. If the annual review of your adjustable-rate mortgage resulted in no change to your interest rate, a rate change notice is not generated or mailed. Your loan continues under the same interest rate and payment terms until the next scheduled review or until a future adjustment results in a change.

For certain adjustable-rate mortgages, federal servicing regulations require a notice to be sent to borrowers approximately 210 to 240 days before the first payment at a new interest rate is due. This letter is intended to provide advance notice that the initial fixed-rate period is ending and that future payments may change based on the terms of the loan. The rate provided is simply an estimate and is required to be disclosed based on current rates at the time of letter generation. It is not your annual rate change notice.

As your annual rate change date approaches, if your adjustable rate is changing, you will receive a separate letter from Guardian indicating such. If there is no change to your current rate, no letter will be sent, and your loan will continue based on the existing rate.

Questions regarding your rate change can be directed to our loan servicing department at 513-842-0972 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Payoff information can be obtained by contacting us at 513-842-0972 or via e-mail at [email protected] to request an official payoff statement for your account. Official statements are assessed a $20 processing fee per request. You may also visit one of our local branches to begin this process if more convenient. While your loan balance is available to you online at GuardianSavingsBank.com, there are additional fees and interest calculated for your payoff. We highly recommend reaching out to us for correct quotes to avoid potential additional funds if calculated personally.

Payoffs should not be made through online bill payment or automatic payments unless specifically directed by our servicing representatives. Please mail all payoffs to:

Guardian Savings Bank
2774 Blue Rock Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45239
Attn: Loan Servicing – Payoff

This is a fee to record a satisfaction of mortgage, or a document that states you have paid your loan in full with Guardian Savings Bank. While this fee is charged on all payoff quotes assessed, it is not a fee that Guardian collects and retains. Rather, Guardian collects this fee to pay your county clerk or recorder’s office to record the document(s) necessary to satisfy your loan. A copy of this document can be obtained from your local county jurisdiction approximately 90 days after loan payoff.

Once your loan has been paid in full and closed, our system will update overnight and generate a “paid in full” letter that will be sent to your address of record within 5-7 business days.

Please ensure prior to payoff we have the most current mailing address on your account.

If we do not, please click here to download our “Contact Information Update” form, complete that form and return it to us at [email protected] for processing.

Additionally, Guardian will then file the necessary documentation with your local county recorder or clerk’s office to remove our lien(s) from your property. Timeframes vary and will generally be completed within 90 days of loan payoff. Copies of this documentation are available from your local county recording office.

Yes. If your loan is paid in full and your account or escrow indicates a balance, we will send you a refund check by mail within 30 days after the payoff date. Please allow appropriate time for mailing before inquiring about your overage.

The due date for your mortgage payment will always be the first of every month with a 15-day grace period. While this date cannot be altered, you are able to change the date your payment is drafted if your payment is setup on automatic payments. Please contact us at 513-842-0972 or via e-mail at [email protected] to request any draft date changes.

You may also click here to download our “Authorization for Automatic Payments” form and e-mail a completed and signed form to [email protected] for processing.

Please note – if your loan payment is due within the next seven (7) business days, an automatic payment will be setup for the following month. You will be required to make your current payment due.

Yes! Regular loan payments are applied to your account in this order: interest due first, then principal, then escrow (if applicable), then fees. If you want to make an extra payment to your loan principal or have additional funds applied to your principal, you will need to specify that with your payment. You are also able to pay your regular contractual payment ahead by one month (i.e. paying both July and August payment for a due date of September 1). Any additional payments beyond one month will be applied to your loan’s principal balance until no longer pre-paid for one month.

All payments to your account are effective on the business date we receive them. Payments received after business hours, federal holidays or weekends are effective the next business day.

Guardian does not accept partial payments on your account. If you are experiencing a hardship on your account preventing you from making your monthly payments, please contact us at (513) 741-6257 for assistance.

Principal reductions are processed by our servicing team. You may mail a check to them at:

Guardian Savings Bank
2774 Blue Rock Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45239
Attn: Loan Servicing – Principal Reduction

Please include with your check distinct instructions to apply only to the principal balance of your loan. Alternatively, you may take your check to your nearest Guardian Savings Bank location to have processed.

Click here to find the nearest Guardian Savings Bank branch.

If you would like to make a principal payment to your account in excess of $10,000 and recast your loan to reduce overall principal and interest payments, please contact us at (513) 842-0972 or via e-mail at [email protected]. Alternatively, you may click here to download our “Recast Request Form”, complete it and e-mail it to us at the address above to start the process.

We generally suggest having an escrow account on your mortgage because it combines all mortgage related expenses into one trackable payment each month. However, some homeowners will be required to maintain an escrow account for a number of reasons. Some common reasons include:

• The amount of equity in your property.
• Your property is in a High-Risk flood area and the loan was originated after 1/1/16.
• Your loan had a hardship modification.
• You have an FHA or Rural Housing Loan.

Please click here to scroll down to our Mortgage Escrow FAQ to answer any further questions you may have about escrow.

Please send us any copies of insurance to [email protected]. Prior to sending us copies, please ensure that Guardian is listed as mortgagee of your policy to avoid follow-up requests. Guardian should be listed as follows:

GUARDIAN SAVINGS BANK, ISAOA
2774 BLUE ROCK RD
CINCINNATI, OH 45239

Please click here to download our “Request for Authorized User on a Loan Account” form and follow the instructions for us to add an authorized user to your account. Please note authorized users will remain on the account unless specifically revoked in writing.

Verification of mortgage requests can be made by contacting us at (513) 842-0972 or via e-mail at [email protected].

We at Guardian are sorry for your loss and are here to help. Before contacting us, we recommend gathering the necessary paperwork, such as death certificate(s), trust documentation if appropriate and/or probate paperwork naming an executor of estate. This documentation will be necessary to make appropriate changes to accounts and discuss options with next of kin.

Once this documentation is ready, please give us a call at (513) 842-0972 to discuss how we can assist you through this difficult time. Additionally, you may click here to download further information on successorship.

It is important to keep the mortgage account payments current. If you or next of kin are unable to do so, please contact us immediately at (513) 741-6257 to discuss.

You may do so by clicking here to download the “Authorization to Close HELOC” form, completing that form and returning it to us at your nearest Guardian Savings Bank location or e-mailing to us at [email protected].

Click here to find the nearest Guardian Savings Bank branch.

Please note that all applicable fees must be paid before account closure, including annual or recapture fees. If you are closing your account prior to its third anniversary of opening, a recapture fee will apply and cannot be waived. A loan servicing representative will contact you if outstanding fees remain on the account.

Disregard. These are home warranty solicitations attempting to coerce you into purchasing a home warranty for your property. Guardian will never contact you regarding a home warranty nor do we work with any providers of home warranties. Correspondence regarding your home will always come from a trusted Guardian phone number or in an envelope clearly labeled with the Guardian logo and return address.

Name changes can be processed at any one of our local branches.

Click here to find the nearest Guardian Savings Bank branch.

Additionally, you may click here to download our “Request for Name Change on Loan Account” form to make the necessary changes due to marriage, divorce, or other legal processes. Please include all required documentation.

Please note name change requests do not change the current name(s) on existing mortgage documents, only in Guardian Savings Bank systems. A refinance of your current loan would be the only way to update your existing mortgage documentation.

Contact information changes can be processed at any one of our local branches.

Click here to find the nearest Guardian Savings Bank branch.

Additionally, you may click here to download this “Contact Information Update” form, complete that form and email it to [email protected] to make specific address changes to your mortgage account.

Coupon books are mailed to our customers generally within 30 days of your current book expiring or within two weeks after loan closing. We ask you to allow appropriate mailing time to receive. If you feel you have not received your coupon book in a timely manner, please contact us at (513) 842-0972 or [email protected] so we may review.

Checks are generally mailed to customers within the first 30 days of loan closing. We ask that you allow appropriate mailing time to receive. If you feel you have not received your home equity checks in a timely manner, please visit your Guardian Savings Bank branch location to inquire.

Click here to find the nearest Guardian Savings Bank branch.

If you are currently enrolled for coupon book receipt, unfortunately a statement is not generated for your account. If you are interested in finding your current balance, understanding how your payments were applied and escrow payments made on your behalf, we encourage you to enroll for Online Banking access. Instructions may be found here. Additionally, Online Banking offers the ability to enroll for paperless statement delivery! Find how to enroll for this feature here.

Paperless statement enrollment will not generate past mortgage statements if you were on coupon books nor will it immediately generate a current statement for your account. Rather, it will begin with your next billing cycle.

Annual 1098 documents and payment histories are mailed to the borrower address on file by January 30th of each calendar year. Please allow ample time for preparation and mailing of these important documents. Guardian is unable to provide this documentation until the end of January and therefore, cannot honor requests for this documentation sooner.

If you are enrolled in paperless document delivery, you will receive an e-mail notifying you these documents are available for viewing in Online Banking. If opting for paper documentation, you should receive these documents by the end of February. If you are interested in receiving future tax and history documentation via paperless delivery, please find our enrollment guide here. Enrollment for paperless delivery is not retroactive and will not provide access to prior tax
documentation that has been mailed.

IRS requirements for 1098 statements necessitate Guardian providing you with the existing principal balance of your loan at the beginning of the given tax year, meaning the principal balance information is from January of the tax year in question, not December. You can find your December balance within the payment history enclosed with your 1098 documentation.

An escrow account holds funds for the payment of your taxes and/or insurance. As each mortgage payment is made, a portion of your payment is deposited into the escrow account. Guardian will use funds from this account to pay your tax and/or insurance bills as they are due.

Your monthly escrow payment is calculated by adding up all applicable bills we expect to pay on your behalf for the next year and dividing it by 12. We maintain a minimum required balance (also called a cushion) in your escrow account for unexpected increases in your taxes and/or insurance. If your account has a shortage as determined on your annual mortgage escrow statement, this may increase the monthly payment. Please refer to your most recent annual mortgage escrow statement for further explanation.

View a fictitious example below:

We generally suggest having an escrow account on your mortgage because it combines all mortgage related expenses into one trackable payment each month. However, some homeowners will be required to maintain an escrow account for a number of reasons. Some common reasons include:

• The amount of equity in your property.
• Your property is in a High-Risk flood area and the loan was originated after 1/1/16.
• Your loan had a hardship modification.
• You have an FHA or Rural Housing Loan.

Some escrow accounts may be eligible for cancellation. Some initial requirements to cancel escrow include:

• No delinquency within the last 24 months
• Your loan to value ratio is 80% or less. Loan to value is the amount of your current principal balance as compared to the original value of your home.

It is important to note that these are not all potential requirements. If you would like your escrow reviewed for eligibility, please contact our escrow department at (513) 842-0971 or via e-mail at [email protected]. Please include with your request a document with your full name, account number, the specifics of your request and your signature for review.

No. In most cases, you do not need to send us copies of your county or municipal property tax bills. Guardian receives property tax information directly from the taxing authorities as part of our tax monitoring process.

If you receive a property tax bill, please keep it for your records.

There are some situations where we may still need information from you. Please email a copy of the bill or supporting documentation to [email protected], if:

• You receive an off-cycle, supplemental, corrected or delinquent tax bill
• Your taxing authority grants, removes, or modifies a property tax exemption
• You have disputed your property tax assessment or bill with the taxing authority
• You receive correspondence indicating unpaid taxes, penalties, or a tax lien

Important: For non-escrowed loans, payment of property taxes remains the responsibility of the borrower. Guardian does not pay property taxes on behalf of non-escrowed accounts.

Yes. If your loan includes an escrow account for property taxes, Guardian works to pay property tax bills on time, including during any applicable discount period offered by various taxing authorities.

For loans without an escrow account, payment of property taxes, including any available discounts, remains the responsibility of the borrower.

We maintain a minimum required balance (also known as a cushion) in your escrow account for unexpected increases in your taxes and/or insurance.

If you have a primary mortgage with Guardian, absolutely! Home equity products are not eligible for escrowed accounts. There are a few ways an escrow account can be opened:

• At loan origination and closing.
• Email or fax a written request, along with your most recent tax and/or insurance bills you would like to add to your escrow account to [email protected] or fax to (513) 923-3070 Attn: Escrow Department.
• Give us a call at (513) 842-0971 Monday through Friday 8am-5pm EST.
• Visit one of our local branches.

Click here to find the nearest Guardian Savings Bank branch.

Generally once a year, we perform a review of your escrow account in order to determine if the escrow portion of your monthly mortgage payment is able to cover the annual requirements for your real estate taxes, and/or insurance premiums. We are required under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) to disclose to you in an annual mortgage escrow statement, also known as an escrow analysis, the results of this review and its effect on your monthly mortgage payment. Occasionally, we may provide you with an interim statement to maintain compliance with RESPA.

Please click here to download a guide on understanding your escrow statement.

After closing your loan, Guardian will generally prepare a statement after the most recent taxes have been paid on your account. Once your account is established, we will generally run your analysis and prepare your statement at the same time each year. Your statement will be mailed to you, and we suggest looking for this document to understand any important changes to your payment annually if applicable.

The most common answer is because of an adjustment in your taxes or insurance bills from the prior year. While Guardian works to estimate your annual taxes and insurance to the best of our abilities, it is ultimately your city, county or insurance company who determines tax and insurance payment amounts. When Guardian then completes your annual analysis, if these amounts increased, we unfortunately must adjust your escrow payment amount to ensure enough funds to appropriately pay on your behalf.

Yes, this is possible. Your payment may still go up if your taxes or insurance increase, even if you decide to pay the entire shortage or receive a surplus. The monthly payment is determined by dividing the projected disbursements for the upcoming year by 12 while the shortage/surplus is based on the subtracting the projected minimum balance from the required minimum balance. On your annual escrow statement, you’ll see a month-by-month projection of your upcoming escrow contributions. You’ll also see the upcoming disbursements we expect to make on your behalf.

You can absolutely choose to pay your shortage in full. You are able to find this shortage amount on the annual escrow statement we send to you. There are a few options to make this payment:

• Mail a check for the full amount to Guardian at:

GUARDIAN SAVINGS BANK
2774 BLUE ROCK RD
CINCINNATI, OH 45239
Attn: Escrow Dept – Escrow Only Payment

Please include with your check a statement you would like funds deposited directly to escrow only.

• Visit one of our local branches and ask to make a direct payment to your escrow account.

Click here to find the nearest Guardian Savings Bank branch.

Please note that payments directly to escrow cannot be made via our online bill payment options.

A surplus is generally caused when the monthly tax and insurance payments were lower than projected. If your surplus equals $50 or more and your loan is current, we will send you a refund check. If your loan was past due at the time of analysis, your refund will be held in escrow until your loan is brought current. If you are actively participating in loss mitigation assistance, the terms of your workout option may affect your refund. If your surplus is less than $50, we will automatically apply it to reduce your monthly escrow payment over the next 12 months.

Funds in escrow are used to pay bills such as:

• Property taxes (both city and county)
• Homeowner’s Insurance
• Mortgage Insurance
• Flood Insurance

Your escrow payment is included within your monthly mortgage payment. To ensure prompt payment, simply follow the information provided within your coupon book or monthly statement.

Of course! Understand however, making payments directly to your escrow account does not negate or take the place of making your regular monthly mortgage payments. To make additional payments to escrow:

• Mail a check to Guardian at:

GUARDIAN SAVINGS BANK
2774 BLUE ROCK RD
CINCINNATI, OH 45239
Attn: Escrow Dept – Escrow Only Payment

Please include with your check a statement you would like funds deposited directly to escrow only.

• Visit one of our local branches and ask to make a direct payment to your escrow account.

Click here to find the nearest Guardian Savings Bank branch.

Possibly. If the initial setup of your auto bill pay was to pay the current amount due, then it will be updated. However, if you setup auto bill pay with your financial institution to make a static payment amount and the new amount exceeds the static payment, auto bill pay will reject and payment will not be made. At that point you will need to request an update to your auto bill pay or login yourself to make the necessary adjustments.

Mortgage insurance provides financial flexibility and can allow borrowers without a substantial down payment to purchase a home. It protects your lender in case you default on your mortgage loan. There are two common types of mortgage insurance:

• Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): PMI is the most common form of mortgage insurance, especially on Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Loans.
• Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP): Mortgage Insurance Premiums are common on FHA loans.

To determine if you can cancel your PMI, review the requirements to cancel your mortgage insurance outlined on your Mortgage Insurance Disclosure received with your loan closing documents, if available.

If your loan is secured by a single family, owner occupied residence you can typically request PMI cancellation if:

• Your “original value” LTV (loan-to value) ratio is 80% or less—a calculation made by dividing your loan’s unpaid principal balance by your original purchase price or your original appraised value, whichever is less.
• You have a good payment history and have made at minimum 24 monthly payments. (No payments past 60 days late in 24 months and no payments past 30 days late in 12 months.)
• PMI removal can be requested based on “current value” LTV, but there are specific requirements including age of loan, investor, etc.

For automatic termination on a fixed rate mortgage loan, if the residence is a single-family primary home or second home, your mortgage insurance will be cancelled automatically in one of the following scenarios, whichever happens first, provided that your loan is current:

• The LTV on your property reaches 78%, based on the original amortization schedule (and you didn’t make extra payments to get it there).
• You reach the midpoint of your mortgage term (year 15 on a 30-year mortgage, for example).

Note: If you have a multi-unit primary residence or investment property, these rules differ slightly. With Fannie Mae, mortgage insurance goes away on its own halfway through the loan term. By contrast, Freddie Mac does not auto-cancel mortgage insurance.

These guidelines will not apply to every loan. To determine if you are eligible to cancel your mortgage insurance, submit a written request with your full name and full account number via fax to (513) 923-3070 or by emailing [email protected]. You can also mail the request to:

Guardian Savings Bank
2774 Blue Rock Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45239
Attn: Escrow Dept – PMI Cancel

For FHA loans with MIP, please refer to the documents that were provided at your loan closing.

Your loan documents require that you maintain the appropriate insurance coverage throughout the life of your loan. The type of coverage required may depend on the location of the property.  For example, properties in flood zones must have flood insurance.

If your required insurance coverage lapses or you do not have enough coverage, Guardian may purchase insurance on your behalf.  Your monthly mortgage payment will be adjusted to reflect the additional charge to your escrow account. Additionally, your account may be considered in default for failure to maintain insurance as required by the terms of your note and mortgage with Guardian and subject to increases to your interest rate and/or other default actions as defined by the terms of your agreement. Our purchase of insurance on your behalf does not negate this default.

Lender placed mortgage insurance premiums are generally more costly than purchasing your own insurance. They also only cover the outstanding balance on your loan and not your belongings or total property. It is important to keep us up to date on your mortgage insurance. Changes to insurance carriers, annual declaration pages, and any other insurance related questions can be sent to [email protected] or by calling (513) 842-0971.

A mortgagee clause states for insurance purposes who the mortgage holder of your property is. For Guardian Savings Bank, it should be listed as follows on all policies:

GUARDIAN SAVINGS BANK, ISAOA
2774 BLUE ROCK RD
CINCINNATI, OH 45239

Copies of policy information can be sent via fax to (513) 923-3070, e-mail at [email protected] or mail to:

Guardian Savings Bank
2774 Blue Rock Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45239
Attn: Escrow Insurance

Please ensure all policies contain the appropriate mortgagee clause to avoid rejection by Guardian. Policies should list Guardian as:

GUARDIAN SAVINGS BANK, ISAOA
2774 BLUE ROCK RD
CINCINNATI, OH 45239

Please give your new insurance company our mortgagee clause:

GUARDIAN SAVINGS BANK, ISAOA
2774 BLUE ROCK RD
CINCINNATI, OH 45239

Your agent will typically send the new policy in the mail, but to expedite the process you can also email us at [email protected]. Once we receive the new policy, we will send payment. You must contact your previous insurance company and cancel the policy. If we have already sent payment on your previous policy, you will receive a refund directly from the insurance company. We advise that
you deposit those funds back in to your escrow account so the change reflects accurately on your escrow analysis. Not doing so may cause an additional shortage to your escrow account, increasing your payment at your next annual escrow review.

Typically, this is because you had a much larger shortage and much more drastic change in expenses on your prior year analysis. Because you have paid this shortage over the last year, that portion of your payment for the shortage is complete. You still show a shortage on your current analysis, as your escrowed items increased from the previous year’s projections, just not as much as they did on your last analysis.

Unfortunately your monthly escrow payment cannot be lower than your “required escrow payment”. To calculate your required escrow payment, Guardian takes the total amount for all your escrowed items and divides that number by 12. If you deposit any amount past the shortage, your payment will be adjusted to your required escrow payment and anything additional would show as an overage in your escrow account and would be used to help prevent or lower a potential shortage.

If the check is for exterior work on your property (i.e. Roof, Siding, etc.), you may proceed to your nearest Guardian Savings Bank branch location for assistance. If your insurance check is for exterior and/or interior damage, please contact our Ft. Wright branch at (859) 341-0700 and ask to speak with someone regarding your insurance check.

We at Guardian are here to help! If you have yet to file a claim with your insurance carrier, please do so immediately before contacting us. If you have filed a claim or have received a check from your insurance carrier due to a loss and need to understand next steps, please call us at (513) 741-6257 for assistance.

If you are experiencing a hardship on your account preventing you from making your monthly payments, please contact us at (513) 741-6257 for assistance.

There may be options, such as spreading your shortage over a time period longer than the standard 12 months. Please keep in mind however that this may cause larger shortages in the future. To assess this option, please reach out to our escrow department at (513) 842-0971 or [email protected]. Assessment is not a guarantee of approval.

If you are experiencing an overall hardship in making your payments and need to speak to someone, please reach out to us at (513) 741-6257.

Click here for information on our current rates and how to contact us. One of our loan officers would be happy to speak with you about our various options!

Our escrow department is here to help you with any escrow related questions. We are available Monday through Friday 8am – 5pm EST. You may call us at (513) 842-0971 or e-mail us directly at [email protected].

If your loan includes an escrow account for the payment of taxes, you generally do not need to send Guardian a copy of your annual county or city tax bill for payment. We receive tax bill information directly from taxing authorities and pay eligible tax bills from escrow when due.

Please keep any routine annual property tax bills you receive for your records.

However, we ask that you send a copy to [email protected] if you receive:

• A supplemental, corrected, delinquent, or off-cycle tax bill
• Notice of a new, removed, or modified tax exemption
• Documentation related to a tax assessment or tax bill dispute
• Correspondence regarding unpaid taxes, penalties or tax liens

Important: For loans that do not have an escrow account for property taxes, payment of these bills remains the responsibility of the borrower. Guardian Savings Bank does not pay property taxes on behalf of non-escrowed loans.

Please contact our customer service team at 513-842-0972.

For questions about taxes, insurance or PMI, please contact our escrow team at 513-842-0971.

Under limited circumstances, Guardian may allow the transfer of your property to a trust or an LLC. Please contact us at (513) 842-0972 or [email protected] to discuss your eligibility and applicable documentation and fees if appropriate.

Additionally, you may review and complete our Request to Transfer to LLC documentation and return to us via e-mail at [email protected] to begin the review.

Guardian may allow the partial release of your mortgage obligation if certain criteria are met. A current mortgage appraisal detailing before and after land values will be necessary to determine appropriate loan to value and if any pay down of your principal balance will be necessary. You may contact us to begin the process at [email protected] or give us a call at (513) 842-0972 to discuss.

Additionally, you may complete our Request for Partial Release to begin the process. This form can be returned to us at [email protected].

Please contact our escrow department at (513) 842-0971 to have your account reviewed with an escrow representative.

Absolutely! Each individual/entity is covered for $250,000.00, under the FDIC coverage limits. The full coverage limit that you have with us is dependent on your specific account relationships. Please contact your local branch to discuss what your FDIC coverage is. Find your branch here.

• 1 form of unexpired government issued identification.
• 1 form of secondary, unexpired identification (Social
• Security card, credit card, health insurance card, etc.)
• Social Security number.
• Date of birth.
• Current physical address. If your ID does not match your current physical address or you have a different mailing address, you must provide a piece of mail to show proof of residence.
• Minimum Deposit requirement to establish account (product specific) and either in cash or a check.

Several reasons could be causing debit card denial.

• Total swipes over 24hrs could have been exceeded.
• Daily transactional limit could have been exceeded.
• Card could have been compromised and locked via our fraud team.
• Insufficient funds.
• Incorrect PIN or ZIP entered.
• Transaction out of area.

Unfortunately, you are unable to manage your debit card limit on the application or on the website. You have a daily point of sale limit of $750.00 on your debit card. If you need assistance with your debit card limit, you can call your local branch to get help with this. Find your branch here.

Yes. You can manage this from the categories at the bottom of the home screen on your mobile app. Click on “Cards” and scroll down to “Manage Travel Plans.” You can then input the appropriate dates of your travel and the destinations in which you will be traveling to.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers excellent advice on how to opt out of these types of offers. See their advice here.

A guide may be found here on how to enroll for our Online Banking platform.

Instructions on how to make a one-time mortgage payment or enroll to make recurring payments may be found here.

Please note – the Pay Mortgage portal does not provide your current balance, how your mortgage payment was applied or any additional information about your mortgage loan. If you would like to view this information, please enroll for Online Banking.

Our Online Banking team are available to assist Monday-Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm EST. For assistance during these hours, please call (866) 855-7267.

As a community bank, our Online Banking team is intentionally staffed by experienced employees who work directly with customers rather than an outsourced call center environment. If all employees are assisting other customers, please leave a detailed message and a member of our team will return your call as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience and courtesy as we work to assist every customer promptly and thoroughly.

Additional Saturday assistance may be obtained by contacting your local Guardian Savings Bank branch location during normal business hours. Find your branch here.

If you need help outside normal support hours, use this checklist to keep moving until we are available.

If Online Banking is not working, these steps solve many common problems. Try them in order.

1. Make sure you are on guardiansavingsbank.com and using the correct login area.
2. If guardiansavingsbank.com is not responding or the Online Banking site will not load, it may be possible maintenance is ongoing or there is a vendor outage. Wait for the website to become available or give us a call at (866) 855-7267 during business hours to verify website activity.
3. Make sure you are using Online Banking for balances, statements, account details, and transfers. Use Pay Mortgage only for mortgage payments.
4. Close your browser or mobile app completely, then open it again.
5. Try utilizing ‘Incognito Mode’ or ‘InPrivate Windows’ for your browser. These modes may be accessed by right clicking on your browser icon and selecting the option.
6. Try utilizing a different browser such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Safari.
7. Clear your browser cache and cookies.
8. Disable autofill or biometrics for your username and password. It may be outdated. Manually input your login information.
9. Allow pop-ups for guardiansavingsbank.com.
10. Turn off VPN, private relay, ad blockers, or browser extensions temporarily if the page will not load.
11. Restart your device.
12. If you are using the mobile app, update the app and your phone operating system.
13. Delete the mobile app, restart your phone and reinstall.
14. If nothing works, contact us during support hours.

For your protection, we will not send usernames through unsecured email or text. Please contact us during support hours at 866-855-7267 or visit a branch so we can verify your identity and help you regain access.

You may be asked security questions when Online Banking does not recognize your device, browser, location, or login pattern. This helps protect your account.

• Answer exactly as you set the answer up.
• If you recently cleared cookies, changed browsers, bought a new computer, or changed phones, you may be asked security questions again.
• If you cannot answer your questions, contact us during support hours.

Start by checking your email, phone, and browser settings. Many code/email issues come from spam filtering, blocked text messages, changed contact information, pop-up blocking, or outdated browser data.

1. Wait a few minutes before requesting another code.
2. Check junk, spam, and clutter folders if the code is sent by email.
3. Check blocked numbers, spam text filtering, and Do Not Disturb if the code is sent by text.
4. Confirm you still have access to the phone number or email address tied to Online Banking.
5. Logout and login to your email provider to ensure your account has not timed out.
6. Allow pop-ups for guardiansavingsbank.com.
7. Clear cache and cookies.
8. Try a supported browser such as Chrome, Edge, or Safari.
9. If your phone or email changed, contact us during support hours so we can verify your identity and update your profile.

A reset may not work if your phone number or email address changed, your information does not match your profile, your browser blocks cookies or pop-ups, or your account locked after too many login attempts.

1. Make sure you are using Online Banking, not Pay Mortgage.
2. Try the reset again in Chrome, Edge, or Safari.
3. Clear cache and cookies. Close the browser and re-attempt.
4. Allow pop-ups. Close the browser and re-attempt.
5. Restart your computer.
6. If you changed phone numbers or no longer have your email, contact us during support hours so we can verify your identity and explain how to update your profile.

Use these steps on Windows or Mac for Google Chrome.

1. Open Chrome.
2. Select the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
3. Select Settings > Privacy and security > Delete browsing data or Clear browsing data.
4. Choose All time.
5. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
6. Select Delete data or Clear data.
7. Close and reopen Chrome, then try Online Banking again.

Use these steps on Windows or Mac for Microsoft Edge.

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Select Settings and more.
3. Select Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
4. Under Clear browsing data, select Choose what to clear.
5. Choose All time.
6. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
7. Select Clear now.
8. Close and reopen Edge, then try Online Banking again.

Use these steps on a Mac for Safari.

1. Open Safari.
2. Select Safari > Settings.
3. Select Privacy.
4. Select Manage Website Data.
5. Search for guardiansavingsbank.com and remove that website data or select Remove All.
6. Close and reopen Safari, then try Online Banking again.

Use these steps on Windows or Mac for Firefox.

1. Open Firefox.
2. Select the menu button, then Settings.
3. Select Privacy & Security.
4. Under Cookies and Site Data, select Clear Data.
5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages or Cached Web Content.
6. Select Clear.
7. Close and reopen Firefox, then try Online Banking again.

Most customers should clear cache inside the browser first. If that does not work, these advanced steps may help.

1. Quit all browsers.
2. Open Finder.
3. Select Go > Go to Folder.
4. Enter ~/Library/Caches and press Return.
5. Look for browser-related folders for Safari, Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.
6. Move only browser cache contents to Trash. Do not delete the entire Library folder, Keychain items, bookmarks, saved passwords, or Application Support folders.
7. Restart the Mac and try again.

First confirm whether your username and password work through Online Banking in a web browser. If the browser login works but the app does not, the issue is likely with the app, phone, network, or device settings.

1. Close and reopen the app.
2. Disable autofill or biometrics for your username and password. It may be outdated. Manually input your login information.
3. Turn off Wi-Fi and use cellular data only. If it works on cellular, your Wi-Fi is potentially the issue.
4. Restart your phone.
5. Update the mobile app.
6. Update your phone operating system.
7. Turn off VPN, private relay, or security filtering temporarily if you use it.
8. Delete the app, restart your phone and reinstall the app if it still will not open.
9. Sign in with your full username and password before turning Face ID, Touch ID, or fingerprint login back on.

This usually points to a connection, app version, phone setting, or temporary issue.

1. Switch from Wi-Fi to cellular data, or from cellular data to Wi-Fi.
2. Restart your phone.
3. Update the app.
4. Check for a phone software update.
5. Turn off VPN or private relay temporarily.
6. Delete and reinstall the app if it still fails. Restart your phone after deleting the app and before reinstalling.

A new phone may not be recognized right away. Sign in with your full username and password – not using biometrics or browser autofill. You may need to complete a security step or receive a new activation code.

• If your phone number changed, contact us during support hours so we can verify your identity and update your profile.
• Your new phone may be operating on a newer operating system. Delete the current app, restart your phone and reinstall. Login without using biometrics, physically typing in your login credentials.
• If your old device is still listed in your Online Banking profile, you may need to remove it before a new phone will be supported. This can be done in the ‘Profile’ portion of Online Banking, and will require login via web browser, not the mobile app.

Disable autofill or other automatic logins. Sign in using your full username and password first. If that works, re-enable biometric login inside the app if available.

• Biometric login may reset after you change your password, update your phone, update the app, reinstall the app, or switch devices.

Yes, however this will need to be done from a laptop or PC rather than your mobile device. From our website, login to online banking. Once logged in, click on “Profile” in the top right, and then click on the email section. This will allow you to update your email address.

There are several possible reasons, including:

• Your account was opened less than 30 days ago. Transfers cannot occur within the first 30 days of account opening.
• You are attempting to transfer between personal accounts and trust accounts. This cannot be done.
• You are attempting to transfer between personal accounts and business accounts. This cannot be done.
• If both are personal accounts, with the same individuals listed as an owners, you may need to contact your local branch to update online banking access to one of the accounts. Find your branch here.

First, from a laptop or PC, log in to online banking. After logging in, go to the top right of the screen and click on “Profile.” You will then click on “Electronic Statements,” then manage/enroll in electronic statements. Additionally, see our enrollment guide here.

Please note, e-Statement enrollment is not retroactive. You will receive future statements only electronically.

Your account must be open for 30 days to enroll in this feature. After 30 days, log in to your online banking account and select “Bill Pay” in the top right of the screen. Once you are on the bill pay screen, you will add your biller payee and corresponding biller information to set up payments. Additionally, see our online banking guide here.

If you are enrolled in e-Statements, you are able to view them online. Paper statements or coupon book enrollment are unable to receive or see statements within online banking. Once you are logged in, you will click on “Accounts” and then click on “Documents.” You will then be able to view PDF statements of your account. If you are not enrolled in e-Statements, your monthly statement is mailed every month on the 15th if a checking account, the 20th if a loan product, and the 30th if a savings account or business account.

You can view the history and pending/posted transactions by clicking on “Accounts” on your Online Banking Home screen. The account you have in focus will include the last four digits of the account number (######1234) and the transaction history will be below. You are able to navigate between your different accounts by selecting from the drop down box and clicking on a different account.

Yes! Find Zelle located under your ‘Quick Links’ in our Mobile App.

Unfortunately, wires can only be completed in person, at any of our local branches. Find your branch here.

Unfortunately, our Savings, Checking and Certificate of Deposit rates are not posted on our website. However, you can call your local branch to get any product rates and disclosures. Find your branch here.

Mobile Deposit is a secure and convenient way for you to electronically deposit checks to any of your checking or savings accounts using the camera on your compatible smartphone or tablet through the GSB app. The mobile deposit feature will be disabled during the first 30 days of account opening.

Unfortunately, we are unable to quote a payoff through the website. Our loan servicing department is available Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and can be reached at 513-842-0972. They will be able to provide you with a payoff for a specific date. Alternatively, requests for payoff can be faxed to 513-741-6255 or e-mailed to [email protected]. Allow three business days for completion.

Your debit card PIN number is a specialized four digit number you have selected to properly access funds at an ATM or to process a transaction as a debit, at a POS terminal. If you cannot remember your PIN number or need to reset it, you can call 1-800-992-3808 to update it. If you are having trouble with this process, please contact your local branch for assistance.

The daily interest rate is the rate that is used to calculate interest on your balance each day, on the given amount. The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is the total amount of interest that you earn in a 365 day period.

There are several reasons why a check could be placed on hold. The most common reason is the checks is written over the Regulation CC limit and is subject to a hold. Other common reasons that could determine a hold include a new relationship account (within 30 days), funds availability, or negative status of an account balance.

Due to security of the institution and our customers, we have a daily cash withdrawal limit. Exceptions are able to be accommodated with an advanced notice. Please contact your local branch for arrangements. Find your branch here.

Coming Soon!

If you are in a fixed rate CD, then the rate is good for the term you agreed upon. Our Checking, Savings and 18 month IRA variable CDs are all variable rates and subject to change at any time.

No, POD’s will not be notified. This is confidential information and the customer would be the only one to release this information to the given parties.

• Free Checking – none
• Silver Service Checking–none
• Student Checking- none
• Interest Checking – $300.00
• Mortgage Plus Checking- none
• Executive Savings- $5,000.00
• Traditional Savings – $100.00
• Elite Checking- $2,500.00
• Traditional Business Checking- $100.00
• CDs- $500.00
• IRA Savings/CD’s – $10.00

Account fees are specific to product.

• Free Checking – none
• Silver Service Checking–none
• Student Checking- none
• Interest Checking – $5.00 minimum daily balance fee, if account falls below $300.00.
• Mortgage Plus Checking- none
• Executive Savings- $10.00 minimum daily balance fee, if account falls below $5,000.00.
• Traditional Savings – $10.00 minimum daily balance fee, if account falls below $100.00.
• Elite Checking- $10.00 minimum daily balance fee, if account falls below $2,500.00.
• Traditional Business Checking- $5.00 minimum daily balance fee, if account falls below $100.00.
• CDs – could be subject to penalty if there is an early withdrawal.
• IRA Savings/CD’s – could be subject to penalty if there is an early withdrawal.

Interest is compounded daily.

7 – 14 business days

Our lobby and drive-thru operating hours are:

• Monday-Thursday from 9:00 am-5:00pm
• Friday 9:00am-6:00pm
• Saturday from 9:00am-1:00pm

Was your IRA with Guardian Savings Bank or another institution as of January 1? If it was with Guardian, you will receive a statement providing your RMD amount. You may also contact your local branch to inquire about this information. Find your branch here.

If the check is for exterior work on your property (i.e. Roof, Siding, etc.), you may proceed to your nearest Guardian Savings Bank branch location for assistance. If your insurance check is for exterior and/or interior damage, please contact our Ft. Wright branch at (859) 341-0700 and ask to speak with someone regarding your insurance check.