Overdraft FAQs








Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

 
  1. What does the term "insufficient funds" mean? 
    • Insufficient funds means there is not enough available money in your checking or savings account to cover a transaction. 
  2. What happens to my transactions when there are insufficient funds? 
    • When there are insufficient funds in your account, your transactions will be either returned or paid. A returned transaction means we declined the transaction. A paid transaction means we processed the transaction anyway. 
  3. Who decides if a transaction is paid or returned when there are insufficient funds?
    • We pay overdrafts at our discretion, which means we do not guarantee that we will always pay any type of transaction. If we do not authorize and pay an overdraft, your transaction will be declined.
    • Normally, we automatically enroll each account in our Overdraft Privilege program, which pays overdrafts, subject to the limits identified below, for the following types of transactions -  
      • Checks and other transactions made using your checking account number
      • Automatic bill payments
  4.  What about other transactions, such as ATM and debit card transactions?
    • If your account has insufficient funds to cover ATM or debit card transactions, we will decline those transactions unless you have asked us to pay those transactions by opting into our Extended Overdraft Privilege program for each account.
    • We will not pay overdrafts for the following types of transactions unless you opt into our Extended Overdraft Privilege program:
      • ATM transactions
      • Everyday debit card transactions
    • To enroll in Extended Overdraft Privilege, contact your local branch. 
  5. Is there a limit to the amount my account may be overdrawn?
    • Yes. Eligible personal and business checking accounts will receive a $100 introductory limit after account opening. Personal accounts may qualify for a $700 Overdraft Privilege limit and business accounts may qualify for $1,250 Overdraft Privilege limits. 
  6. Does First Community Bank Charge a fee for insufficient funds? 
    • Yes. You may be charged $36 for each transaction we pay, and $36 for each transaction we return, up to the daily maximum limit of $216 per personal checking account, per day. We will not charge you a fee if your account is overdrawn by $5 or less on any given day. Effective November 1, 2022, we will charge $12 for each transaction we return. We will still charge $36 for each transaction we pay.
  7. Are there ways I can avoid insufficient funds and overdraft fees? 
    • Yes. We offer several ways to help you avoid insufficient funds and overdraft fees:
      • Download the Xpress by FCB mobile app With our app, you can set low balance alerts to let you know when your account balance is getting low. 
      • Enroll in Overdraft Protection If you have another account at First Community Bank, you can set up an automatic sweep to cover your overdrafts with the money you have in other accounts. 
      • You may opt out You can avoid the $36 fee for paid transactions by opting out of Overdraft Privilege. By opting out, you advise us to decline any transaction that tries to post against an insufficient funds balance. You will still be charged $36* for each transaction that is declined and returned, up to the daily limit. You can opt out at any time by contacting your local branch. *Effective November 1, 2022, the fee for returned transactions will be reduced from $36 to $12.
      • Get MyFinance When you enroll in online banking, you get access to our free budgeting tool to help you build and manage your budget to avoid insufficient funds.
      • Community Connect Retail Checking does not offer Overdraft Protection or Overdraft Privilege. If you attempt to make purchases with insufficient funds in the account to cover the purchases, the transaction(s) will be declined.
  8. How do I set low balance alerts on the Xpress by FCB mobile app?

    • Low-Balance Alerts: Low-Balance Alerts serve as a gentle reminder to keep watch on your bottom line at the cash register or checkout cart online. They’re simple to set and easy to get, BEFORE your account gets into the red, and nobody has to know, but you!

      • Log in to your Xpress by FCB mobile app and select the account in which you wish to set the alert. In the next window, you’ll see Account Details at the top. Inside your Dashboard menu, select Alert Preferences by tapping. The first menu that appears next will be one that reads Balance alerts, followed by an option to +Add Alert.
      • To set a Low-Balance Alert, tap that +Add Alert option.
      • When a pop-up window appears, you’ll have the option of being notified when your balance reaches a total either above or below a certain number.
      • Select the total at which you’d like to be notified by:
        • Email
        • Text
        • In-app message
      • Once all of your information is correct, tap on Add Alert at the bottom of this window, and your Low-Balance Alert should be saved, along with your peace of mind. 
  1. How do I enroll in Overdraft Protection?  
    • Overdraft Protection services are designed to help prevent overdrafts triggered by all types of transactions. Once you've selected the coverage that is right for you, we'll watch your checking account balance, and if it gets too low, we'll automatically transfer funds, from one of your other First Community Bank Accounts.