WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The majority of respondents to Credit Union Times' recently expired voting poll believe overdraft protection is beneficial for members. Proponents of the somewhat controversial product say it helps the member who writes the occasional bad check from being hit with a creditor late fee as well as a black mark on their credit. Detractors say it promotes bad financial management. The poll question and results are as follows: "Critics of overdraft protection say the service can encourage members to habitually write bad checks. Proponents say it can help members avoid an NSF on top of a creditor's fee. Do overdraft protection programs promote bad financial management among members or are they a good safeguard against members' occasional mistake?" *Promote bad financial management among members 18.48% *Are a good safeguard against members' occasional mistake 77.13% *Don't know 4.4% 341 total vote(s)