Are you a Mountain America member with questions regarding the transition to Sunward? Click here to learn more about accessing your accounts and for answers to frequently asked questions.
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PERSONAL
RESOURCES

At Sunward, we believe banking should be more than transactions—it should be about benefits that enrich your life. That’s why we created Sunward+, the rewards program that turns your membership into so much more.

As a current employee or retiree of Sandia National Laboratories, you qualify for the Quantum tier—our highest level of Sunward+ rewards for FREE. This elite level unlocks premium benefits to help you with everything from saving on fees to enjoying reduced closing costs on your next home purchase.

Ready to join? All you have to do is make sure that you have an active Sandia
National Laboratories payroll or pension deposited into your Sunward
account and maintain an active checking account. Then stop by a branch, chat
with us online, or call us at 1.833.SANDIAN to enroll.

Cost & Eligibility Criteria

Monthly Fee

$0

How to Activate Benefits

Be an employee or retiree of Sandia National Laboratories
AND active Sunward checking account
AND payroll or retirement benefit direct deposit from
Sandia National Laboratories.

Benefits

No-Fee Banking

Fees are waived or refunded automatically each month, back to the primary checking account.

  • Cashier's Checks
  • Check by Phone
  • Money Orders
  • Overdraft Fee
  • Check Orders
  • Returned Item Fee
  • Wire Transfers - Int'l & Dom
  • Stop Payment
  • Account Maintenance Fee

Car Buying

Get a $600 cash incentive for new auto loans over $15,000. Members receive monthly payouts to their primary checking account in monthly installments over the life of the loan. Pay off the loan early to receive the remaining incentive in full.

$600

Paid in monthly installments up to $16.66/mo

Home Buying

Get $2,000 in home buying closing credits with a new Sunward mortgage loan over $50,000. Property must be a primary residence.

$2000

Spending

Get a $100 statement credit for any new Visa Signature or Visa Platinum Rebate card with $1,500 in spending in the first 90 days.

$100

frequently asked questions

I am a current Sandia National Laboratories employee or retired from Sandia National Laboratories WITHOUT a Sunward account and I want to sign up for the Quantum tier. What do I do?

Start by opening a checking account with us, either online or in branch. Once your checking account is active, simply have your Sandia National Laboratories payroll or pension deposited into your Sunward account. After that, visit a branch, chat with us online, or call us at 1.833.SANDIAN to complete your enrollment in the Sunward+ Quantum tier.

Sunward+ Quantum Tier Terms and Conditions

Eligibility Requirements: Sunward+ Quantum benefits (“Benefits”) are available to Sunward members who meet the requirements, which include having an active Sunward checking account and being an active employee or retiree of Sandia National Laboratories, with NTESS payroll or retirement benefits directly deposited into their primary account. If these eligibility requirements are not met monthly, members will be disenrolled from the program and will need to re-enroll. Additionally, if your Sunward membership was associated with Sandia National Laboratories prior to November 12, 2024, you will qualify if you meet the other requirements. After November 12, 2024, you must be an active employee or retiree of Sandia National Laboratories and meet the qualifications.

Benefit Definitions:

  • Active Checking Account: A checking account that has at least one qualifying debit transaction per month (point of sale, check, bill pay, ACH debit, ATM transaction).
  • Active Employee or Retiree: An individual currently employed by Sandia National Laboratories receiving regular payroll deposits, or a former employee of Sandia National Laboratories who is receiving retirement benefits, directly deposited into their primary account.
  • NTESS Payroll/Retirement: Payroll or retirement benefits from Sandia National Laboratories (NTESS) must be directed to the member’s primary account.

Fee Waivers: Fees for applicable services (e.g., cashier’s checks, money orders, check orders, account maintenance fees, etc.) are waived or refunded monthly, contingent upon meeting the applicable eligibility requirements. Refunds are credited to the member’s primary checking account on the last day of each month.

Auto Loan Incentive: The cash incentive for new auto loans over $15,000 is paid in monthly installments over the loan term and will be credited to the primary checking account on the first day of each month. Early repayment of the loan results in the remaining incentive being credited in full to the primary checking account on the first day of the month following the payoff. Internal refinances do not qualify. Incentive is non-transferable and is only available once per loan agreement.

Home Buying Credit: The $2,000 closing cost credit applies to new Sunward mortgage loans over $50,000 for primary residences only. Home equity lines of credit and investment properties are not eligible. Closing credits are applied at the time of loan funding. This credit is non-transferable and is limited to one credit per property.

Credit Card Offer: The $100 statement credit is only available for new Visa Signature or Visa Platinum Rebate cardholders after spending $1,500 in the first 90 days of account opening. Purchases must be posted to the account within the 90-day period to qualify. Balance transfers, cash advances, and fees do not count toward the $1,500 spending requirement. Offer limited to new cardholders only.

Tax Implications: All cash incentives, statement credits, and other financial Benefits offered through Sunward+ may be considered taxable income and may be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Members are responsible for any taxes associated with receiving these Benefits. Nonresident alien individuals participating should have a current IRS Form W8-BEN on file with Sunward, if applicable, or otherwise be subject to backup withholding.

Limitations and Restrictions: To remain enrolled in Sunward+, accounts must remain in good standing or will be automatically disenrolled from the program. Benefits do not extend to business accounts, or other special account types (e.g., trust, estate, custodial accounts). Accounts must be in good standing to enroll in Benefits. Improperly granted credits may be removed from Sunward accounts and loans at our sole discretion. This includes but is not limited to credits that were issued in error, obtained through fraudulent means, or not in accordance with the program terms and conditions. All Benefits, incentives, and fee waivers are subject to change or cancellation at the discretion of Sunward. Sunward reserves the right to modify or terminate the Sunward+ program at any time without notice. If the program is terminated, accrued Benefits or incentives will not be forfeited. By participating in the Sunward+ program, members agree to all program terms and conditions. Sunward is not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from the use or inability to use the program Benefits. Members will be notified of any changes to the Sunward+ program terms and conditions.