Question 1

How Fast Can I Receive Funds?

Accepted Answer

You may qualify for early access up to $10,000 before your card arrives by confirming the identity of the primary/co-applicant.

Question 2

Why do I need to sign a Power of Attorney (POA)?

Accepted Answer

It is customary in real estate financing related transactions to require a borrower to sign a limited Power of Attorney (POA).

This POA is only used for correcting minor typographical or grammatical errors, misspellings, or clerical errors
In absence of the POA, if errors occurred on loan documents, Aven would need to cancel the account and schedule a re-notarization session to setup a new account
The POA automatically expires 120 days after the date it is signed
The POA specifically prohibits any changes to the interest rate, the loan amount, and the lien amount on the deed of trust

Question 3

Where can I use my card

Accepted Answer

Aven cardholders can use their Aven Card for purchase transactions wherever VISA cards are accepted.

Aven cardholders can transfer cash directly from their Aven account to another bank account – it is called a CashOut. CashOuts are initiated within 2 business days of the request. There is a one time fee (2%, 2.5%, or 4.9%, please see your account agreement) of the total amount being transferred that will be added to the balance. For security reasons, there is a $50,000 daily limit, you will need to verify ownership of the bank account, and Aven does not allow cash to be withdrawn from a bank or ATM. Start a Cash Out: https://my.aven.com/cashOut

To transfer balance from a high interest credit card to the Aven card, cardholders can request a balance transfer (BT) to their credit card. BTs are initiated within 5 business days of the request. There is a one time fee (2%, 2.5%, or 4.9%, please see your account agreement) of the total amount being transferred that will be added to the balance.

Please note, Aven cards cannot be used at:

ATM Machines
Casinos
Timeshares
Money transfer businesses (eg. Paypal, Venmo, Moneygram, Western Union, etc)
Crypto Currency exchanges
Foreign countries on the US sanctions list

Question 4

How to Contact Us

Accepted Answer

If you are looking to schedule a phone call, please feel free to visit Aven.com/call. Otherwise, applicants may call 415-582-6613 or email support@aven.com. Please keep in mind that most questions can be answered during the application process, or by visiting Aven.com/support.

Question 5

Which Index do you use?

Accepted Answer

For variable rate loans, Aven uses two different Indicies. Your Cardholder agreement will specify the Index used for your account.

Wall Street Journal Prime (WSJ Prime): The Wall Street Journal surveys some of the country's biggest banks and publishes a consensus rate based on the survey. This is one of the most common indicies used for many lending products. Look up the latest rates on the website of the Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/market-data/bonds/moneyrates

Federal Funds Target Rate - Upper Limit (FFTR-UL): This rate is set by the Open Market Committee of the US Federal Reserve (FOMC). It is the short-term interest rate at which U.S. Banks and Credit Unions lend to each other overnight within the Federal Reserve system. Look up the latest rates on the website of the St. Louis Fed. https://fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=QGiM

The rate on your account is the sum of the index and the margin. Both can be found in your Account Agreement.

Question 6

Do you give a HUD-1?

Accepted Answer

There is no HUD-1 form associated with the Aven Home Card. The Account Agreement contains all the required information, notices, and disclosures.

Question 7

A co-owner is deceased and I am trying to open an account. What should we do?

Accepted Answer

Aven requires a copy of the death certificate emailed to support@aven.com. Aven's application team will review the documentation within 10 business days. At times, further documentation may be required to complete the process.

Question 8

How do applicants get higher credit limits?

Accepted Answer

For applicants, Aven's automated underwriting system cannot modify the credit limit or rate. Aven's bank-standard underwriting system is fully automated and generates an offer based on an applicant's income, equity, credit, and debt obligations.

Question 9

What is my monthly interest rate?

Accepted Answer

A cardholder's monthly interest rate is their current APR, divided by 365, multiplied by the number of days in that monthly billing cycle. For fixed monthly payment plans, amount, term, and other details are presented and disclosed at the time of plan creation. Cardholders can find their current rates in the Aven App (under "Account Details"). The effective APR for each billing cycle is also printed in the statement.

Question 10

How are payments calculated for fixed installment plans?

Accepted Answer

Aven offers fixed payment plans that amortize over 5, 10, 15, or 30 years. The payment is calculated so that the entire amount of the plan and the interest is paid off by the end of the selected term.

Question 11

How do notary sessions work?

Accepted Answer

The Aven Card is a Home Equity Line of Credit and requires document signing with a notary.

Notary sessions are conducted fully online via an applicant's mobile phone browser or a desktop web browser.

The applicant needs to ensure their video camera and microphone are working, they are in a well lit area with minimum background noise and other distractions.

Notarizations require applicants to have their original, unexpired government issued photo ID. The notary will need to see the ID clearly on the video.

Aven recommends high speed internet to minimize the chances of rescheduling. If there are difficulties, we recommend trying a different device.

Question 12

Who needs to sign the agreements?

Accepted Answer

All applicants need to sign the Account Agreement, Deed of Trust, Power of Attorney, and notice of right to cancel. All property owners and spouses need to sign the deed of trust and notice of right to cancel as a non-borrowing signer, applicable in all states as per Aven policy. Aven does not accept POAs for signatures, except for active duty personnel who are deployed overseas with a military POA.

Question 13

Is the rate variable?

Accepted Answer

The Aven Card is a variable rate credit card. Cash outs may have a fixed rate option. See your offer for details. The variable rate varies based on an Index (Prime Rate published in the Wall Street Journal or the Federal Funds Target Rate Upper Limit set by the Federal Reserve). This is outside Aven's control. As the Index shifts up or down, so will the APR on the Aven Card and any other variable-rate credit cards, lines, and loans. The Index may change several times a year or go for many months without change.

Question 14

Is there a lien on the home?

Accepted Answer

Similar to other Home Equity Line of Credit products, a lien is placed on the home for the approved line size amount upon opening the account. This is standard for mortgage and HELOC products.

Question 15

My ID has expired. What can I do to complete the notarization process?

Accepted Answer

To complete the notary session, applicants need to have their original, unexpired identification document, such as Driver's License, Passport Book, Passport Card, etc. If an ID is expired or damaged, the applicant must obtain a valid ID before the notary session.

Question 16

How long does someone have to complete the notarization after applying?

Accepted Answer

Applicants have 30 calendar days from beginning the application to accept an offer, if given. In addition, applicants have 30 calendar days from accepting their offer to completing the notarization session.

Question 17

How can someone complete a notary session if an additional signer is not available at the same time or is in a different place?

Accepted Answer

This is not an issue. Aven's notary system can easily schedule two separate notary appointments.

Question 18

How does Aven determine the credit line size and interest rate?

Accepted Answer

Aven's bank-standard underwriting system is fully automated and generates an offer based on an applicant's income, equity, credit, and debt obligations.

Question 19

What are the eligibility criteria for applying for Aven?

Accepted Answer

The following are the minimum eligibility criteria for obtaining an Aven card. This is not an exhaustive list and more criteria may be added in the future. Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee an approval.

All signers (applicants and/or co-owners) must be at least 18 years of age or older and complete an application

All signers must possess valid government issued identification documents specified by Aven

For applications using primary residences, the applicant (and co-applicant if there is one) needs to be a US resident, have a FICO score of at least 620, a VantageScore of at least 640, a combined loan to value under 89%, and demonstrate a sufficient income.

For applications using second homes or investment properties, there are additional requirements.

For lines above $100,000, borrowers need to provide proof of insurance and proof of adding Aven/Coastal Community Bank as a beneficiary on the policy

The Aven Card is a secured line of credit, with a 1st or 2nd lien on property owned by the borrower(s). If you already have two existing liens on your property, Aven cannot approve you for an Aven Card

Aven's bank-standard underwriting system is fully automated and generates an offer based on an applicant's income, equity, credit, and debt obligations.

Question 20

How do I activate my card?

Accepted Answer

The best way to activate your card is to download and use the Aven Card mobile app. Once you have the app, open the app and enter the phone number you used to sign up for the Aven card to get started. For security, you will be asked a series of questions. Once completed, you will easily be able to activate your card. Note that you will need to have your card handy to activate it.

Check out the video below on how to activate your card using the app.

Question 21

Is Aven a simple interest loan or does it have an amortization schedule?

Accepted Answer

Aven offers several balance plans and some of them use the simple interest method of interest calculation.

For revolving balances, Aven uses the Average Daily Balance method of interest calculation. For each billing cycle, we add the interest bearing balance on each day of the cycle and divide it by the number of days in the cycle to get the Average Daily Balance for the billing cycle. We then calculate interest on this balance for the duration of the billing cycle, using the rate in effect on the last day of the billing cycle. Cardholders can find the rate used for the cycle on their statement in the "Plan Summary" section towards the end.

For fixed monthly payment plans, amount, term, and other details are presented and disclosed at the time of plan creation. (Some Aven cardholders may be able to create fixed payment fixed rate Installment plans for 5, 10, 15, or 30 years. Please check your account agreement to see if you have these plans.)

For payment estimates, please visit https://aven.com/paymentCalculator

Question 22

How can someone get a lower rate compared to the offered?

Accepted Answer

Aven's bank-standard underwriting system is fully automated, offers based on applicants’ income, equity, credit, and debt obligations. Aven can not adjust offers.

Question 23

Does Aven offer a fixed rate?

Accepted Answer

Some Aven cardholders may be able to create fixed payment, fixed rate Simple Loan plans for 5, 10, 15, or 30 years. Applicants can check their details in their account agreement.

Question 24

How do you verify income?

Accepted Answer

There are several ways Aven can verify income. Only one of the following is usually required:

Connect a bank account*. This is the easiest and fastest method for verification. Aven uses a service called Plaid to provide secure, automatic, and instant analysis. Aven does not have access to an applicant's bank login.
First page of tax returns
Latest pay stub
Proof of retirement income

If an applicant needs to change their stated income, they would need to start a new application.

*Presently, Aven systems can only handle one bank account through the Plaid connection process.

Question 25

Can Cardholders apply for Investment Homes or Rental homes?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Aven has two Home Credit card programs - one for primary residences and one for second homes / investment properties. In the application process, the property type will be collected and the application will be routed to the correct program.

To apply for a Aven card on any property, the applicant must be able to show the address of that property on either a Driver's License, or a Tax Return, or a Paystub.

Please note that Aven can currently only support one active account per person. If a cardholder has a Aven Card on one property, we are unfortunately unable to consider that cardholder for a card on any other property.

Question 26

How do you compute my minimum due every month?

Accepted Answer

For revolving balance plans, the minimum monthly payment is 1% of the principal plus the monthly interest rate on the outstanding balance.

For fixed monthly payment plans, the monthly payment amount is the same every month.

If an account has multiple plans, each plan's minimum payment is added to calculate the total minimum payment due for the entire account.

For payment estimates, please visit https://aven.com/paymentCalculator

Question 27

What is a Deed of Trust?

Accepted Answer

A Deed of Trust is an official agreement between a lender and a borrower, stating that the borrower will repay the line of credit that is secured by the borrower's residence. This Deed of Trust is then recorded with the borrower's county as a record of the agreement.

Question 28

What is the maximum line size?

Accepted Answer

Currently the maximum line size Aven offers is $250k. Large lines require excellent credit, significant equity in the property, high income to manage the expected debt payments, and proof of home owner's insurance.

Aven's bank-standard underwriting system is fully automated and generates an offer based on an applicant's income, equity, credit, and debt obligations.

Question 29

Can I get cash or checks?

Accepted Answer

Aven does not provide checks or a checkbook. Aven cardholders can transfer cash directly from their Aven account to another bank account – it is called a CashOut. CashOuts are initiated within 2 business days of the request. There may be a one time fee (2%, 2.5%, or 4.9%, please see your account agreement) of the total amount being transferred that will be added to the balance.

Question 30

Is there a prepayment penalty?

Accepted Answer

There is no a prepayment penalty on an Aven Card account. Cardholders can pay more than the minimum due each month, make extra lump-sum payments, or make a full payoff payment. Cardholders can also find more details about their Account Agreement, here https://my.aven.com/card/accountDetails

Important Note: If a Cardholder intends to payoff an account, the funds must be sent through wire transfer. If any other method of funding is used, there will be a 60 day wait period before the lien is released. Aven is unable to waive or shorten this wait period.

Question 31

Will applying affect or impact my credit score?

Accepted Answer

When you apply for an Aven card, we perform a “soft pull” on your credit in order to determine an offer. This does NOT impact the applicant's credit score. You can check your offer without your credit score being affected.

Only after you accept an offer and schedule a time with our notaries will we make a hard inquiry on your credit profile. This may impact the credit score.

Question 32

Are there caps on rates?

Accepted Answer

The Aven Card rate will vary based on the Index - either Prime Rate published in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) or the Federal Funds Target Rate - Upper Limit (FFTR-UL) set by the Federal Reserve. Please look at your account agreement for which the Index is used in your account. The maximum APR is 18%. The latest WSJ Prime Rate and FFTR-UL Rate can be found at the Wall Street Journal webpage, or the Federal Reserve webpage.

Question 33

Do you accept homes held in a trust or LLC?

Accepted Answer

Aven supports homes held in one Revocable Family Trust.

Aven does not support homes held by more than one Trust or held in an LLC.

Question 34

Do you issue IRS Form 1098?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do. Interest paid on revolving balances and simple loan balances, and fixed monthly fees paid on fixed monthly payment plans are considered for 1098 reporting. 1098 statements are available on the Aven App or online. Go to "Account" > "Settings" > "Documents"

If you had $0.01 or more of interest paid during 2022, there is a "Year 2022 Form 1098" in your "Documents". An email notifying you of the form containing a link to the document was sent out on Jan 20, 2023.

If you had $0.01 or more of interest paid during 2021, there is a "Year 2021 Form 1098" in your "Documents".

Consult tax rules or a tax advisor to determine whether your interest payments are tax deductible.

Question 35

How is interest calculated on the Aven account?

Accepted Answer

Interest calculation on the Aven card depends on the type of balance (purchase, balance transfer, cash out, fixed payment plan balance, etc) on an account. Most accounts have several balance types, so the total interest is the sum of the interest calculated on each balance type.

For purchases, interest accrues daily at the daily interest rate (APR divided by 365). This interest is waived for new purchases if the entire purchase balance is paid in full by the due date shown on the next statement. If the purchase balance is not paid in full, in the next cycle, there will be interest for 2 cycles on the purchase, starting from the date of the purchase.
For Balance Transfers and Cash-outs that are revolving plans, interest accrues daily at the daily interest rate (APR divided by 365), starting when the Cash-Out or Balance Transfer is disbursed.
Any balances in a fixed monthly payment plan either have interest accrued daily at the daily interest rate of the plan (Plan APR divided by 365) or have a fixed monthly fee in place of interest. These charges are disclosed at the time of plan creation.

In addition to interest, the monthly payment also includes repayment of a portion of the principal balance. For Purchases, Balance Transfers, and Cash Outs on revolving plans, 1% of the outstanding balance is the principal portion of the minimum due. For fixed monthly payment plans, the part of the fixed payment that is not interest or monthly fee is allocated to the principal.

If an account has zero balance in any cycle, there will be no payment due for that cycle.

Question 36

Is Aven a credit card or a home equity line of credit?

Accepted Answer

It is both! Aven is a home equity line of credit that customers access through a credit card. Aven cardholders can use their Aven Card wherever VISA cards are accepted.

Aven cardholders can transfer cash directly from their Aven account to another bank account – it is called a CashOut. There may be a one time fee (2%, 2.5%, or 4.9%, please see your account agreement) of the total amount being transferred that will be added to the balance.

To transfer balance from a high interest credit card to the Aven card, cardholders can request a balance transfer (BT) to their credit card. There may be a one time fee (2%, 2.5%, or 4.9%, please see your account agreement) of the total amount being transferred that will be added to the balance.

Question 37

What if I am self-employed?

Accepted Answer

Aven accepts self-employed applicants. For further information regarding income verification, click here.

Question 38

When is the monthly payment due?

Accepted Answer

Statements are generated each month close to the monthly anniversary of when cardholders signed up for an Aven account. Payments are due within 21 days from statement issuance. For peace of mind, cardholders can set themselves up for autopay in the Aven app. Statements are available on the Aven app and online: https://my.aven.com/statements

Question 39

Is an appraisal of my home required?

Accepted Answer

At Aven we have an automated system that tells us the estimated value of your home. Aven provides this service at no cost to the customer.

Question 40

Address is not being validated or auto-completing

Accepted Answer

Aven's application process does not support recent builds, mobile homes, or recently purchased properties. It may take 4-6 weeks for a property to appear on Aven's systems from the time of recording. If the address is not auto-completing, click "Enter address manually".

Question 41

What is HMDA?

Accepted Answer

Section 1003.4(a)(10) of the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act requires all mortgage lenders to collect various consumer data, including information about an applicant’s ethnicity, race, sex, and age. We state this requirement at the top of the page in which the information is collected. This protected information in no way impacts an applicant’s offer, as required by the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Fair Housing Act. In fact, applicants have the opportunity to refuse disclosure of this information, as you did, nullifying any opportunity for discrimination.

Question 42

How can I make a payment on my monthly statement?

Accepted Answer

Aven cardholders can pay their Aven bill using the Aven Mobile app or on the online web portal. Once logged in, Aven cardholders can either make a one-time payment or set up autopay.

Please note that Aven does not accept checks or cash by mail.

Question 43

Why is the pending transaction amount different from the purchase?

Accepted Answer

Merchants such as gas stations or restaurants usually request an authorization for an estimated amount before completing the transaction with the final amount. The same applies with pre-authorizations for hotel or car rentals.

Question 44

Does Aven take a third position lien?

Accepted Answer

No, Aven requires first or second lien position. Aven offers a refinance product for applicants with existing second liens, if they qualify.

Question 45

Can I pay off an existing HELOC with the Aven Card?

Accepted Answer

Aven offers a HELOC refinance product for qualified applicants.

Question 46

Do missed payments impact a customer's home?

Accepted Answer

One or two late payments will not put a cardholders home at risk or in default. Aven offers multiple hardship services to cardholders who struggle with their payments. Please note that an account may be blocked if no payment is received by the time the next statement is issued.

Question 47

How long does it take to get my card?

Accepted Answer

The Aven card generally arrives within 10 business days from the time your account was opened. To prevent fraudsters from stealing cards during transit, we do not share the tracking number or the name of shipping company.

Question 48

Can the card be shipped to an alternate location?

Accepted Answer

Due to security reasons Aven can only ship the card to primary residence addresses for customers.

Question 49

Can I pay with a check?

Accepted Answer

Aven does not accept checks as a form of payment. Aven cardholders can use the Aven Mobile app to easily connect their bank account using their routing and account number to make a payment.

Question 50

What credit score or FICO score do you use?

Accepted Answer

Aven uses FICO V9 and VantageScore 4.0 from Experian, a top credit reporting agency

Question 51

Can I add or remove bank accounts for Auto pay or bill pay?

Accepted Answer

Cardholders can add or remove bank accounts in the Aven Card app or online at https://my.aven.com/card

Question 52

Why do I have to wait the 3 business cancellation or rescission period?

Accepted Answer

Consumer protection regulations require that applicants be given three business days to cancel the account because of the security interest in the home. You cannot use the card until the cancellation period (also known as a rescission period) has expired.

This regulation was established by the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) under U.S. federal law, and allows a borrower to cancel a home equity loan, line of credit, or refinance with a new lender, within three days of closing.

Question 53

How does a Cardholder conduct a Balance Transfer from another Credit Card?

Accepted Answer

Cardholders can balance transfer from another credit card. The balance transfer is initiated within 2 business days of the request. It may take 5-10 days for it to show up on the other side, depending on the financial institution. There may be a one time fee (2%, 2.5%, or 4.9%, please see your account agreement) of the total amount, which is added to the balance. Balance transfers initiated the same day can usually be canceled by 5PM Pacific time if needed.

Question 54

Are there any origination or annual fees?

Accepted Answer

The Aven Card comes without application fees, annual fees, or account closing fees. Select offers for some customers might include first-draw fees, clearly indicated at the time of the offer.

Question 55

Does a purchase refund count against the minimum payment due?

Accepted Answer

While a refunded purchase will reduce a customer's remaining statement balance, it will not count towards the minimum due payment - with one exception:

if there is only one purchase during the cycle, and this purchase is refunded to bring the statement balance to zero, there will be no minimum payment for that cycle.

Question 56

Can I apply or be eligible if my home is in a flood hazard zone?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Aven does support properties in flood zones. Applicants will be required to submit proof of active flood insurance during the application process. If the property is a condo, applicants may be requested to upload proof of the condo buildings flood insurance policy along with the applicant's individual Homeowner's Insurance Policy.

Once approved for an Aven Card, Cardholders are required to send a copy of the flood ( and HOI for Condos) once it renews. A reminder notice will be sent 45 days and 15 days prior to the the insurance expiration.

If the property is designated by FEMA into a flood zone in the future, a 45 and 15 day notice will be sent to Cardholders advising of the need to purchase and present acceptable flood insurance.

Question 57

What is a cardholder's current APR?

Accepted Answer

Cardholders can view their current APR on the mobile app or by logging into their account online or by going to their most recent statement: https://my.aven.com/card

Question 58

Are you a bank or FDIC insured? Who provides the credit?

Accepted Answer

We are partnered with Coastal Community Bank, member FDIC, pursuant to license by Visa USA Inc. You benefit from our innovation, great pricing, and simple convenience with the trust of a traditional FDIC-insured bank.

The Aven Card is issued by Coastal Community Bank, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. Aven accounts are made by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC. NMLS #462289.

Question 59

What happens if I want to refinance?

Accepted Answer

There are generally two situations of refinancing:

Aven customer wants to refinance their first mortgage while keeping the Aven card open and active. In this case, Aven will work with the customer's first mortgage lender to complete a subordination agreement.
Aven customer wants to payoff and close the Aven account. In this case, the Aven customer needs to submit a payoff quote request from the Aven app or online. Please note that when Aven receives the payoff request, the account will be blocked from further charges. This is done to prevent the account balance increasing beyond the payoff quote.

Question 60

Where can cardholders see Aven card statements?

Accepted Answer

Statements are available in the Aven app and website. An email will also be sent to the email on file. https://my.aven.com/statements

Question 61

What is Pay It Forward (PIF)?

Accepted Answer

When someone becomes a cardholder with Aven they are presented a link which they can send to someone else. If the person on the receiving end becomes a cardholder using the PIF link sent to them, they receive statement credit which they have the option of sharing with the person who sent them the original PIF link.

Question 62

What happens when a house is sold?

Accepted Answer

Your settlement agent will send Aven a payoff request. Aven will close the account and release the lien when the balance is paid in full.

Question 63

How do cardholders increase their credit limits

Accepted Answer

Aven offers limited 'invitation-only' credit limit offers. Aven will notify you via text or email if your account is eligible. At this time Aven is not accepting credit line increase by request.

Question 64

Do mortgage payments have to be current

Accepted Answer

Aven's underwriting system looks at mortgage payment history to determine an applicant's eligibility. The system will not accept applicants with mortgages that have been delinquent or have been in forbearance during the last 24 months.