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Leave Overdraft Programs Alone

In regards to your latest voting poll concerning whether overdraft programs need more regulation (see www.cutimes.com), I think OD programs are fine the way they are. Because it is just an overdraft fee that is not based on the amount of the overdraft, they should not be subject to an...

By Staff Writer | Updated on June 29, 2004

In regards to your latest voting poll concerning whether overdraft programs need more regulation (see www.cutimes.com), I think OD programs are fine the way they are. Because it is just an overdraft fee that is not based on the amount of the overdraft, they should not be subject to an APR calculation. Credit unions have been in the check return business since they have been able to offer checking (oops!) share draft accounts. Now they are saving members money by not returning their check and yet are still criticized by those that still return checks. No matter what, some members are going to write checks for more than their balance. Let’s just take this to the logical conclusion. If some are saying that allowing members to write checks for more than their balance is not in the best interest of members, then as soon as a member “misuses” a share draft account by writing say more than six “bad checks” in a year, why not close the account? It would be in the best interest of the member to just have a regular share account and purchase money orders from the credit union to pay bills, wouldn’t it? You would save these “abusers” of share draft accounts a ton of money! But, we know that very, very, very few credit unions would close accounts of these members. And wouldn’t these members seek financial products from another institution that would allow them to use their checking account in the manner that they chose (say from a bank at $45 per return)? Why be critical of CUs that offer OD protection and save their members money, while the member conducts their financial affairs in the way that they chose? P.S.: I work for a corporate CU, so I really don’t have a “dog in this fight.” I’m just a credit union member in this instance. Drew Lykins Credit Union Member Frankfort, Ky.

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