First Choice Financial Federal Credit Union

Upon reviewing this credit union member's complaint, we are obliged to respond to the situation and the negative accusations It is our focus to help make a positive impact in our members' financial well­ beingWith that said, I will explain the situation that occurred on ID # [redacted] accountsWhen the member opened his account, he did not select overdraft service from his savings account to his checking account in case of insufficient fundsTherefore, the member's transactions are being conducted as he requested at the time of his account openingIt is important to note that our data system is not capable of over drafting money from the checking account to the savings accountThis overdraft function is not possible, and does not happen in any transfer of funds situationWhen the transaction initiated, as he stated, to pull from his savings, there were not sufficient funds to cover the $ [redacted] POS transaction and as I mentioned above, the Credit Union data system will not allow a transfer from the checking account to the savings account to cover an insufficient negotiable item An ACH Return Fee of $was imposed to the memberWe are not required to notify our members when insufficient funds occur per our Truth and Savings Membership Booklet as followsPage OVERDRAFTS — aPayment of OverdraftsIf, on any day, the available funds in your share or deposit account are not sufficient to pay the full amount of a check, draft, transaction, or other item, plus any applicable fee, that is posted to your account, we may return the item or pay it, as described belowThe Credit Union's determination of an insufficient available account balance may be made at any time between presentation and the Credit Union's midnight deadline with only one review of the account requiredWe do not have to notify you if your account does not have sufficient available funds in order to pay an itemYour account may be subject to a charge for each item regardless of whether we pay or return the itemFor ATM and one-time debit card transactions, you must affirmatively consent to such coverageWithout your consent, the Credit Union may not authorize and pay an ATM or one-time debit card transaction that will result in insufficient funds in your accountIf you have established a service linking your share or deposit account with other individual or joint accounts, you authorize us to transfer funds from other another account of yours to cover an insufficient item, including transfers from a share or deposit account, an overdraft line-of-credit account, or other account you so designateServices and fees for these transactions are shown in the document the Credit Union uses to capture your affirmative consent and the Schedule of Fees and ChargesExcept as otherwise agreed in writing, if we exercise our right to use our discretion to pay such items that result in an insufficiency of funds in your account, we do not agree to pay them in the future and may discontinue coverage at any time without noticeIf we pay these items or impose a fee that results in insufficient funds in your account, you agree to pay the insufficient amount, including the fee assessed by us, in accordance with our standard overdraft services or any other service you may have authorized with us, or if you do not have such protections with us, in accordance with any overdraft payment policy we have, as applicableIt is with sincere regret that this member did not try to contact our Member Service Department so someone could have advised him of this informationIn the event that he had not understood, every attempt would have been made to help him comprehend and make the necessary changes to his account if possibleOur hope is that this member can feel that his membership in the Credit Union is indeed important to usOur mission is to help insure our members' financial well-being and that of the Community at largeThe Member Service Department is available to inform, educate and ensure that our members have a positive experience Sincerely, Brenda CPresident/CEO

Upon reviewing this credit union member's complaint, we are obliged to respond to the situation and the negative accusations.  It is our focus to help make a positive impact in our members' financial well­ being. With that said, I will explain the situation that occurred on ID #[redacted]...

accounts. When the member opened his account, he did not select overdraft service from his savings account to his checking account in case of insufficient funds. Therefore, the member's transactions are being conducted as he requested at the time of his account opening. It is important to note that our data system is not capable of over drafting money from the checking account to the savings account. This overdraft function is not possible, and does not happen in any transfer of funds situation. When the transaction initiated, as he stated, to pull from his savings, there were not sufficient funds to cover the $19.95 [redacted] POS transaction
and as I mentioned
above, the Credit Union data system  will not allow a transfer from the checking account to the savings account to cover an insufficient negotiable item.  An ACH Return Fee of $30 was imposed to the member. We are not required to notify our members when insufficient funds occur per our Truth and Savings Membership Booklet as follows... Page 413. OVERDRAFTS — a. Payment of Overdrafts. If, on any day, the available funds in your share or deposit account are not sufficient to pay the full amount of a check, draft, transaction, or other item, plus any applicable fee, that is posted to your account, we may return the item or pay it, as described below. The Credit Union's determination of an insufficient available account balance may be made at any time between presentation and the Credit Union's midnight deadline with only one review of the account required. We do not have to notify you if your account does not have sufficient available funds in order to pay an item. Your account may be subject to a charge for each item regardless of whether we pay or return the item. For ATM and one-time debit card transactions, you must affirmatively consent to such coverage. Without your consent, the Credit Union may not authorize and pay an ATM or one-time debit card transaction that will result in insufficient funds in your account. If you have established a service linking your share or deposit account with other individual or joint accounts, you authorize us to transfer funds from other another account of yours to cover an insufficient item, including transfers from a share or deposit account, an overdraft line-of-credit account, or other account you so designate. Services and fees for these transactions are shown in the document the Credit Union uses to capture your affirmative consent and the Schedule of Fees and Charges. Except as otherwise agreed in writing, if we exercise our right to use our discretion to pay such items that result in an insufficiency of funds in your account, we do not agree to pay them in the future and may discontinue coverage at any time without notice. If we pay these items or impose a fee that results in insufficient funds in your account, you agree to pay the insufficient amount, including the fee assessed by us, in accordance with our standard overdraft services or any other service you may have authorized with us, or if you do not have such protections with us, in accordance with any overdraft payment policy we have, as applicable. It is with sincere regret that this member did not try to contact our Member Service Department so someone could have advised him of this information. In the event that he had not understood, every attempt would have been made to help him comprehend and make the necessary changes to his account if possible. Our hope is that this member can feel that his membership in the Credit Union is indeed important to us. Our mission is to help insure our members' financial well-being and that of the Community at large. The Member Service Department is available to inform, educate and ensure that our members have a positive experience.  Sincerely, Brenda C. President/CEO