At STCU, there are two ways to prevent an overdraft: overdraft protection and Privilege Pay.
An overdraft occurs when you don’t have enough money in your account to cover a check, transfer, debit card purchase, credit card advance, or other transaction — but STCU processes it anyway.
Overdraft protection.
If you have multiple accounts at STCU, you are automatically enrolled in overdraft protection. This service covers overdrafts by pulling funds from your other linked STCU checking, savings, money market, or credit card accounts.
When an overdraft occurs, as the chart below illustrates, STCU transfers funds from the deposit or credit card account you have selected for overdraft coverage. (To learn how to change the order of accounts to draw from, see “How do I change overdraft protection settings?” below.)
| STCU savings or money market account | Transfers will occur for each overdraft, posted as one lump sum per day per transfer account. | Up to the available balance in the account you select for overdraft coverage. |
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| STCU checking account | Transfers will occur for each overdraft, posted as one lump sum per day per transfer account. | Up to the available balance in the account you select for overdraft coverage. | No fees. |
| STCU credit card | Cash advance transfers will occur for each overdraft, posted multiple times per day. | Up to the available credit limit. | Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance transfer, whichever is greater |
How do I change overdraft protection settings?
You can make changes to your overdraft protection settings at any time:
- Log in to online banking at stcu.org, navigate to My accounts, and select “Overdraft settings.”
- You also can use LiveChat instant messaging to contact an STCU representative during weekday business hours, call us direct at (800) 858-3750, or visit your nearest branch location.
Privilege Pay.
STCU members in good standing automatically get Privilege Pay for checks and Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments up to $1,000, including fees, that may have overdrawn your personal checking or money market accounts.
For every check or other item that STCU covers, we charge a $29 overdraft fee. If we cover an overdraft, we notify you by mail that Privilege Pay was activated.
What about debit card transactions?
Debit card overdrafts can add up fast. That's why STCU allows you to opt-in for Privilege Pay on your STCU debit card. With your prior approval, we will cover debit card transactions that may overdraw your personal checking account. For every debit card transaction that STCU covers, we charge a $29 overdraft fee.
Opt-in by completing and returning the Privilege Pay-debit card form to STCU.
Please note:
- Privilege Pay is limited to $200 of fees assessed, per day.
- Overdrawn balances (the amount what was overdrawn) must be paid within 30 days.
- If there are insufficient funds to cover your overdraft, you may be charged a fee for both the transfer and the paid overdraft or returned item.
- STCU may pay or return overdrafts up to the allowable limit, at our discretion. If we do not authorize and pay a transaction that could overdraw your checking account, your transaction will be declined or returned.
- Overdraft transfers may be subject to STCU’s excess item fee. See table above for details.
Which accounts are eligible?
All STCU checking and money market accounts are eligible for Privilege Pay, provided the account owners meet the eligibility requirements described below.
STCU will also cover debit card transactions that overdraw your checking account after you have completed and returned the Privilege Pay-debit card form to STCU.
Who is eligible for Privilege Pay?
STCU members eligible for Privilege Pay overdraft protection must:
- Be 18 or older, with an STCU checking or money market account.
- Have been an individual member for 90 days or more.
- Have no past due loan payments at STCU.
- Have not caused a financial loss (charge off) to STCU.
- Not be currently enrolled in a debt management program.
Can I opt out?
Yes, if you want to opt out of Privilege Pay on your checks and ACH transactions, you must first complete and return the option to waive or reinstate Privilege Pay form to STCU.
