Overdraft Privilege

Overdraft Privilege is a convenient, value-added service that may protect everyday, one-time debit card transactions, ATM withdrawals, payments via personal check, and other purchases using your checking account in the event you have insufficient funds in your account to cover the expense. There are no monthly service fees or an annual fee associated with Overdraft Privilege – you only pay if you use it.

You do not need to apply - or sign any additional documents - for Overdraft Privilege to cover your checks, ACH or recurring debit transactions.  For all eligible accounts this service is already included in your Checking Account Agreement with us. If you would like us to consider paying ATM and one-time debit card transactions that overdraw your checking account, we need your affirmative consent (Opt In) to do so.

OVERDRAFT PRIVILEGE SERVICE POLICY

Opportunity Bank of Montana (“we, us or our”) offers the Overdraft Privilege Service. If your account qualifies for Overdraft Privilege, we will consider, without obligation on our part, paying items for which your account has insufficient or unavailable funds, instead of automatically returning those items unpaid.  This document explains how Overdraft Privilege operates. 

Transactions that May Qualify for Overdraft Privilege

An overdraft occurs when you do not have enough money in your account to cover a transaction. Although there are many reasons why your account might become overdrawn, most overdrafts result from the following:

• You write a check, swipe your debit card or initiate an electronic funds transfer in an amount that exceeds the amount of funds available in your account;
• You deposit a check or other item into your account and the item is returned unpaid, which causes a negative balance in your account once your balance is reduced by the amount of the returned check;
• You have inadequate funds in your account when we assess a fee or service charge; or
• You initiate a transaction before funds deposited into your account are "available" or "finally paid" according to our Funds Availability Policy. For example, if you deposit a check into your account, the proceeds of that check may not be available to you for up to seven business days after you deposit the check. If you do not have sufficient funds in your account - independent of the check - to cover the transaction, you will incur an overdraft. 

The Overdraft Privilege Service applies to a variety of transactions, including checks and other transactions made using your checking account number, automatic bill payments, ATM transactions and everyday debit card transactions; however, we will not include ATM and everyday debit card transactions within our Overdraft Privilege Service without first receiving your affirmative consent to do so. Absent your affirmative consent, ATM and everyday debit card transactions generally will be not be paid under Overdraft Privilege.

Participation in Overdraft Privilege is not mandatory. You may opt-out of the service any time by notifying one of our customer service representatives. Furthermore, you may revoke your affirmative consent to have ATM and everyday debit card transactions considered for payment under Overdraft Privilege without removing other items from the service. Simply inform us of your preference.

As noted above, we retain full discretion to decline to pay any item under the Overdraft Privilege Program. This means we can refuse to pay any overdraft for any reason. Even if we decide to pay an overdraft item, absent an agreement to the contrary, such payment does not create any duty to pay future overdrafts. If we do not authorize and pay an overdraft, your transaction will be declined.

Fees

For each overdraft we pay, we will charge the standard per item Overdraft Fee set forth in our fee schedule (currently $30.00). In addition, under our standard overdraft practices:

• There is a business day combined maximum of $205 in Overdraft Fees that we can assess your account. 
• Also, after five (5) business days of being overdrawn, and every 5th business day thereafter if account remains in overdraft status, we will charge you a $25.00 Continuous Overdraft Fee.
• The Bank does not charge a checking account participating in the Overdraft Protection Program an Overdraft Fee for transactions that overdraw an account by an aggregate amount of $40 or less.

We will notify you if we pay or return any insufficient or unavailable funds items on your account; however, we have no obligation to notify you before we pay or return any item. The amount of any overdrafts, including our fees, is due and payable immediately or on demand. Also, please note that if we return an item it will likely be automatically re-presented by the financial institution where the item was presented at. 

Accounts Eligible for Overdraft Privilege

Overdraft Privilege is a discretionary service and is generally limited to $100 once an eligible account is open. After thirty (30) days the limit may increase to $800 overdraft (negative) balance for eligible personal checking accounts; or a $1500 overdraft (negative) balance for eligible business checking accounts. Please note that both per item and continuous overdraft fees count toward your Overdraft Privilege Limit. We may in our sole discretion limit the number of accounts eligible for Overdraft Privilege to one account per household or per taxpayer identification number. Further, Overdraft Privilege is usually extended only to accounts in good standing.

An account in good standing exhibits, but is not limited to, the following characteristics:

1. The account has deposits totaling at least $400 or more within each thirty (30) day period;
2. The account demonstrates consistent deposit activity;
3. The account owner is current on all loan obligations with us; and
4. The account is not subject to any legal or administrative order or levy, such as bankruptcy or tax lien.

We offer other overdraft protection services in addition to Overdraft Privilege. These include an overdraft line of credit and overdraft protection linked to another account of yours with us, such as a savings account. If you apply and are approved for these optional services, you may save money on the total fees you pay us for overdraft protection services.

Overdrafts should not be used to pay ordinary or routine expenses and you should not rely on overdrafts as a means to cover these expenses. If at any time you feel you need help with your financial obligations, please contact us at 888-750-2265 to discuss your options, or speak with a banker at your local branch office.

How to Opt In

You have four convenient ways to opt-in to have your ATM withdrawals and everyday debit card transactions covered:

1. Call us at 1-888-750-2265 to inform us of your overdraft preference
2. Stop in to your local branch
3. Mail or drop off your opt-in form to your local branch
4. Click here to opt-in online

How to Opt Out

If you decide you do not want your ATM withdrawals and everyday debit card transactions covered, you may opt out using the same methods described above. You may click here to opt-out online. If you opt out, ATM and everyday debit card purchases exceeding your balance will be declined. 

How to Un-Enroll for Overdraft Privilege

If you decide you do not want Overdraft Privilege included on your account, please contact your local branch to remove this coverage. If you choose to have this service removed from your account, all purchases exceeding your balance will be declined or returned.