Atlantic Federal Credit Union
Courtesy Pay Service

Sometimes things don't go as planned. When this happens with your checking account it can be embarrassing. Our Courtesy Pay program helps you avoid the embarrassment and inconvenience of unnecessary merchant fees caused by an item returned for insufficient funds or even a rejected debit card purchase.

What is Courtesy Pay?

Courtesy Pay is a value-added service that pays your checks, preauthorized debits, debit card purchases or make ATM cash withdrawals up to a pre-determined limit instead of returning them when your account has insufficient funds. For example, when a check is returned, you may pay up to $70.00 in merchant fees and NSF fees charged for second presentments. With Courtesy Pay, your costs are $25.00 per item, saving you up to $45.00 per check! In addition to these cost savings, you experience peace of mind knowing that your check is covered.

What are the qualifications for Courtesy Pay?

You must be an Atlantic Federal Credit Union member with a checking account.

You must be a member in good standing, which means if you have an outstanding loan it cannot be delinquent more than 30 days.

For those using the Courtesy Pay Service, good standing also means that you meet the repayment requirements as described below.

Effective July 1, 2010, only members who have "opted in" to Courtesy Pay will have coverage for ATM cash withdrawals and debit card transactions. If you do not opt in, we will be required to decline ATM and debit card transactions when you do not have enough money in your account to cover them. This "opt in" requirement is the result of a new Federal Reserve rule to curb some financial institutions' abuse in charging fees.

The new rules do not apply to Courtesy Pay coverage on checks or automatic bill payments that you have set up to pay your mortgage, rent or utilities. We will continue to automatically provide overdraft services for these types of transactions. If you do not want overdraft services in these instances, please call the Credit Union.

How much does this service cost?

This service costs $25.00 per paid item. This is the same fee that you would pay if an item is returned for insufficient funds. Remember that items paid by Courtesy Pay are not returned to the merchant and this saves you time, money and embarrassment.

What do you mean by a "paid" item?

The Courtesy Pay Service applies to checks you write from your checking account; when you authorize a merchant to automatically charge your account for a service or purchase; using your debit card for purchases; ATM withdrawals; and using one of our branch offices to access the Courtesy Pay Service.

What is the Courtesy Pay limit?

Your limit depends on your overall account relationship with us as defined by our Member Merits Program; if you have Premier status your limit is $750.00; for an Enhanced status your limit is $500.00; and with Value status your limit is $300.00. All allowable limits include Courtesy Pay fees. Regardless of your Member Merits status, the Courtesy Pay fee is the same ($25 per item.)

How does this work with my other overdraft options such as transfer from shares and Overdraft Line-of-Credit?

When an item is presented for payment, we will first check availability in your Overdraft Line-of-Credit Loan, if applicable. We will then check to see if there are available funds in any share accounts that you have designated for overdraft transfers. If the item cannot be paid from either of these options, the item will be covered by Courtesy Pay if you meet the qualifications. The available balance from all sources must be sufficient to cover the amount of the paid item plus the courtesy pay fee; otherwise, the item will be returned for insufficient funds and an applicable return fee charged.

How do I know when Courtesy Pay is accessed?

You will be notified by mail each time Courtesy Pay covers an item. It will also appear as a fee entry in Home Banking and on your account statement. It will be identified as "PAID NSF FEE."

What happens if I go over the Courtesy Pay limit?

If you go beyond the Courtesy Pay limit, your checks beyond the limit will be returned to the appropriate merchants. You will be responsible for returned check charges from the merchants and from the Credit Union.

How soon do I need to deposit funds for the items covered by Courtesy Pay?

Your account may not have a negative balance resulting from paid overdrafts and related fees for more than 15 calendar days. Therefore, you must deposit funds into your account or obtain an approved loan from the Credit Union to cover the full amount of any negative balance within 15 days from the date the account incurs a negative balance. Under the Courtesy Pay program, any account with a negative balance for more than 15 days will be subject to collection and Courtesy Pay privileges may be withdrawn. The Credit Union reports all default accounts to a credit reporting agency. (The Credit Union may discontinue Courtesy Pay at any time without notice and all loans are subject to credit approval.)

What if after opting in, I no longer want to participate in the Courtesy Pay service?

You may opt-out of the Courtesy Pay Service at any time by contacting a member service representative at (800) 222-1329.