Our lives are fast-paced and can often make us overwhelmed to the point that it's no surprise when we forget to make a payment or cash that check we received weeks ago. Instead of trying to slow down, businesses - especially financial institutions - are using technology to come up with solutions for our time-crunch woes.Technology is certainly a time-saver and many people are beginning to expect quicker service in all areas of their lives, including banking. Thanks to the convenience of items like computers and mobile phones, New Horizons Credit Union can make your experience enjoyable and profitable without having to even enter a branch.NHCU is a member of the automated clearinghouse - meaning that the credit union accepts direct deposits from your employer, ensuring that you won't have to wait for your money. The funds will be available in your account the day that they are paid.Online banking is also becoming a popular feature with banks and credit unions. Instead of trying to make it to your branch during banking hours, or waiting in long lines just to deposit a check, you can have your own personal branch on the other side of the screen.At NHCU, you can create your own virtual/interactive branch online. The online program is called It's Me 247 and features the ability to control your direct deposits, apply for loans, pay bills, view past checks, authorize checks, schedule recurring payments and watch the status of your transactions. It's Me 247 also allows you to check rates on savings accounts, certificates and loans, while providing you with the option of going-green by receiving electronic e-statements with the ability to view up to 13 months of statements at once.You can personalize your It's Me 247 account even more with the aid of what NHCU calls a PIB (Personal Internet Branch). Jeff Meyer at NHCU tells us, "Think of It's Me 247 as your account and PIB as its own personal body guard. It controls how It's Me 247 performs for you. You can customize the days and times when your account can be accessed, which PCs can access your account, the types of transactions that you can perform online and set a monetary limit for online transactions." With these built-in security features, you'll know in an instant if something isn't right with your account.One of the best features of NHCU's online banking program is its money-tracking services. Trying to keep track of your spending? It?'s Me 247 will download all of your information directly into Microsoft Money or Quicken free of charge.NHCU also offers a special, personalized phone-service called NHCU24, which uses state-of-the-art technology allowing you to access your New Horizons account 24 hours a day, seven days a week! That means you can take care of your routine financial transactions from wherever you happen to be.Here are just a few things you can accomplish with the help of NHCU24:

• Check your account balances
• Apply for loans
• Transfer money between accounts
• Find out when checks clear your account

You don't ever have to worry about NHCU24 being unsafe, as it's controlled by your own secret identification code and you can change it whenever you want to. The secure connection means your personal information stays personal. Since you're able to check your account as often as you like, if any fraudulent activity has occurred, you'll be able to catch it quicker than you normally would with only a monthly bank statement.Now wherever you are, you can have the peace of mind that you know everything there is to know about your financial status. The best part is... NHCU24 is FREE!