I have been told it is a 2 step process, and for the first step/visa issued you don't need to have the funds in a bank. you do for the second final step/visa. Others more knowlegeble about this can comment.
In the past used the Chicago consulate in which I mailed in my request with my passport. The turn around time then was 2 days. So I used them for this time for my online application. Same thing this time 2 days. . I arrived in CM today