HomeStar OnLine is the newest way for you to bank with us.  HomeStar OnLine is the fast, convenient and secure way to:

• Check account balances

• Confirm transactions

• Review account activity and history

• View and print images of checks

• Transfer funds between HomeStar accounts

• Make loan payments

• Pay any bill or person online

• Receive bills online

New Security features!

Click here for a Demonstration of HomeStar OnLine.

Frequently asked questions.

How do I sign up or log on to HomeStar OnLine?
You can sign up by completing an online enrollment application found on the home page, or here, by clicking on the Not Enrolled Yet? text.  You can also obtain an application at any of our branch locations.  Upon verification and approval of the application you will be sent a temporary Access ID and temporary password via U.S. mail.  When accessing the site for the first time you will enter the temporary information that you were sent in the Access ID / Password boxes on the home page of the HomeStar Bank website.  You will then have to choose a permanent Access ID and Password.  Your Access ID must contain at least 6 characters (no more than 17).  It can have special characters in it (- + $, etc.).  Your Password must contain at least 8 characters (no more than 17) containing at least one letter and one number.  The Password and Access ID are both "case sensitive"; therefore it is necessary to use 'UPPER" and "lower" case letters the same each time you enter them.

When is HomeStar OnLine available?
In general, HomeStar Online is available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.  There may be occasional short periods of time where the system is unavailable in order to update necessary software and hardware.

How current is the information I see with HomeStar OnLine? 
Information is current to the minute!  Transactions conducted at our branches are typically processed "real-time" and are reflected on HomeStar OnLine immediately.  Telebank transactions are also reflected immediately.  As checks and other banking transactions come in to us throughout the day and night, they are also reflected on HomeStar OnLine.

How secure is HomeStar Online?
You trust us with your business and we take that responsibility very seriously.  Whether you bank with a teller inside one of our branches or transact business through HomeStar OnLine, security and privacy of your business is of the highest priority for HomeStar Bank.  That is why we have implemented and continuously review the latest in Internet security software and hardware to maintain the security and privacy of your information.  We use encryption to secure all information while you are logged into HomeStar Online.

What software or equipment do I need to access HomeStar OnLine?
All you need is an Internet connection and a web browser.  The browser must be capable of performing 128 bit encryption (see Encryption FAQ) and accept Cookies (see Cookie FAQ).  Explorer 5.5^® and higher/Netscape 4.06^® or higher have been confirmed and tested to work with HomeStar OnLine.

What is encryption? 
Encryption is a way to rewrite information in a code that can only be decoded later with a certain key.  The higher the number of encryption bits, the higher the encryption.  While using HomeStar OnLine, all communication from you to the system and from the system back to you is encrypted at 128-bits.  This is the highest encryption Netscape and Microsoft browsers support at this time.  The system will decode the information you send using a unique key known only by our system. You can verify your current encryption level support through Verisign at:   www.verisign.com/advisor/check.html 

What are cookies?
Cookies allow a program (HomeStar OnLine) to store information during your online session.  HomeStar OnLine uses "session cookies" which means that information is stored while you are logged on to facilitate transactions.  When you log off of HomeStar Online, the cookie is destroyed.

I receive a "System is Down" message when trying to log in.
You must have cookies enable to the "secureinternetbank.com" domain name.  Double click on the Blocked Cookie Icon, at the bottom of the Internet Explorer screen .  Click on the \\web#.secureinternetbank.com site name, then click on the summary button, then click on the Always allow this site to use cookies choice and then click on OK.

What is the Privacy question and answer?
The question and answer that you create, is used by the bank for positive identification purposes should you need to call and get information about your accounts.

Do I use the same password for HomeStar OnLine that I use for Telebank?
No.  Your Telebank password (PIN) is a separate number used for only telephone banking.

Can I change my password?
You can change your password easily by clicking on the  "change password" and following the online directions.

Can I change my Access ID?
No, once you have made the choice for your Access ID, there is no online tool to choose another.

What if I forget my HomeStar OnLine password?
No one but you knows your password.  If you forget the password, please contact the Bank at (815)468-BANK(2265) during regular business hours.  Note,  If you attempt to log on six times with an incorrect password, you will be "locked out" of HomeStar OnLine and must contact the Bank to reset your password.

Should I have Windows^® save my password for me?
No.  When Windows^® saves your password for you, it stores the password information on your hard drive and is not encrypted.  We recommend memorizing your password or storing it in a safe place only you will know.

What if I don't see all of my accounts when I sign on?
If you don't see all of your accounts when you log on, there are a few different things that may be involved.  Please contact us at any of our branch locations or by telephone at (815)468-BANK(2265) during regular business hours.  We will then be able to determine the cause of why a specific account is not reflected on your account listing.

What is HomeStar OnLine Bill Payment?
This is a service HomeStar offers free of charge to checking customers that allows you to pay any of your bills using the Internet.  You determine who you want to pay, how much you want to pay and when you want to pay it.  It's that easy.  No checks to write, no envelopes to address, no stamps to purchase.

When will my payment be sent using Bill Payment?
Payments will be sent based on the date you input into the payment screen.

Can I schedule a bill to be paid the same day each month using HomeStar OnLine Bill Payment?
Yes you can.

Why don't I see a Bill Payment button?
The Bill Payment feature is only available on checking accounts and only when viewing a specific account.  It is not available on the account list screen, which is the first screen to come up at login.

Can I download account information?
Account transactions can be exported into Quicken (.QIF)^®, Microsoft Money (.OFX)^®, and Excel^® using the Transaction Menu Screen.

What does the message "Could not establish a secure connection" mean?
Ensure that the browser level being used supports 128 bit encryption.  Internet Explorer 5.5^® and higher/Netscape 4.06^® or higher.  You can verify your current encryption level support through Verisign at:
 www.verisign.com/advisor/check.html 

What is the message: Log In did not complete for the following reasons(s).
Log In Information Is Missing Or Invalid. Use First Time Log In If Logging In For The First Time?
Either your Access ID or Password are incorrect.  This message is intentionally vague for security reasons.  You may click the Back button and try again. If you attempt to log on six times with an incorrect password, you will be "locked out" of HomeStar OnLine and must contact the Bank to reset your password.