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Premium Share Draft Accounts OK for FCUs, NCUA Says

NCUA said in a recent legal opinion letter that it has no legal objection to federal credit unions offering rewards checking accounts.

By Staff Writer | Updated on May 01, 2007

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — NCUA said in a recent legal opinion letter that it has no legal objection to federal credit unions offering rewards checking accounts.

The $109 million Northern Federal Credit Union in New York proposed offering a premium rate share draft product and ATM surcharge refunds with no minimum balance, monthly fee or per draft charges so long as the accountholder agrees to direct deposit or conducting an ACH debit transaction each month; sign on to online banking at least once a month; receive their statement electronically, and conduct 10 or more debit purchases through the account. Those not meeting these requirements in a given month would not receive the rewards for that month. According to NCUA’s legal opinion letter (07-0211) a variable rate structure is permissible if founded “on a rational basis.” NCUA Associate General Counsel Sheila Albin wrote in the letter, “Applying that reasoning in this case, we believe the credit union’s desire to promote its various automated services and thereby achieve related cost savings is a sufficient rational basis to support the variable rate structure you have proposed.”

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