Courtesy Pay

Courtesy Pay is a service offered by Energy One Federal Credit Union that can help cover transactions when your checking account balance is insufficient, giving you added flexibility and peace of mind when unexpected expenses arise.

Open A Checking Account
Contact Us

Courtesy Pay Basics

What is Courtesy Pay?

Courtesy Pay is a service that may cover checks, ACH withdrawals, debit card transactions, ATM withdrawals, or teller withdrawals when your available balance is not enough. It provides added protection for your Energy One checking account.

Is Courtesy Pay the same as overdraft protection?

Courtesy Pay is different from overdraft protection. If you have overdraft protection set up—such as a linked savings account or line of credit—we will always attempt to use those options first before Courtesy Pay is applied.

How can Courtesy Pay help me manage everyday expenses?

Courtesy Pay may help prevent returned payments for important expenses like utilities, groceries, or scheduled payments when funds are temporarily unavailable in your checking account.

Can Courtesy Pay help protect my credit?

Yes. By covering certain transactions instead of returning them for insufficient funds, Courtesy Pay may help you avoid potential collection activity or negative impacts associated with returned payments.

How Courtesy Pay Works

How does Courtesy Pay work?

When a transaction is presented against your Energy One checking account, payment may occur in the following order:

  1. Available funds in your checking account
  2. Available balance in an overdraft line of credit (if applicable)
  3. Overdraft protection transfers from another Energy One account (if applicable)
  4. Courtesy Pay, up to a limit of $500 (including fees)

Is there a fee for using Courtesy Pay?

Yes. If Courtesy Pay is used, a fee of $29 per item will be assessed for each transaction that causes your account to go negative based on the available balance.

How long do I have to repay the negative balance?

You have up to 45 days to bring your checking account back to a positive balance through a deposit, transfer, or direct deposit.

Available Balance Explained

What is an available balance?

Your available balance reflects the amount of money available for transactions after accounting for pending transactions and deposit holds. It may be different from your actual (ledger) balance.

Can I overdraft even if my actual balance looks positive?

Yes. Because pending transactions and holds are subtracted from your available balance, an overdraft or NSF transaction can occur even if your actual balance appears sufficient.

Overdraft Protection & Courtesy Pay

What if I already have overdraft protection?

If you have overdraft protection set up, such as a linked account or line of credit, those options will always be used first before Courtesy Pay is applied.

Enrollment & Eligibility

Do I need to apply for Courtesy Pay?

Eligible accounts are automatically enrolled in Courtesy Pay for checks, ACH withdrawals, recurring debit card transactions, and teller withdrawals.

Do I need to opt in for debit card and ATM transactions?

Yes. To use Courtesy Pay for one-time debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals, you must opt in. You can opt in by contacting Energy One or using the opt-in option provided.

Which checking accounts are eligible?

Courtesy Pay is available to Premier One Checking, Free One Checking, and Business Checking account holders, provided all account signers are at least 18 years old and the account is in good standing.

Member in Good Standing Requirements

A member is considered in good standing when:

  • The checking account has been open for at least 90 days
  • The account is brought to a positive balance at least once every 45 days
  • Loans are not more than 30 days delinquent
  • A current mailing address is on file
  • No legal orders exist against the account

As long as these requirements are met, Courtesy Pay privileges will remain active.

Important Notes

Courtesy Pay is offered as a privilege, not a guarantee. Energy One Credit Union reserves the right to approve or decline transactions when sufficient funds are not available or if the account is not in good standing.

Still Have Questions?

Our team is happy to help you understand Courtesy Pay and your checking account options.

What You Need to Know About Overdrafts and Overdraft Fees

Understanding Overdrafts

An overdraft occurs when you do not have enough available funds in your checking account to cover a transaction, but Energy One Credit Union pays the transaction anyway. Overdraft services are designed to help cover everyday payments when funds are temporarily unavailable.

How Energy One Covers Overdrafts

Energy One offers two ways to help manage overdrafts on your checking account:

  • Courtesy Pay Program
    Courtesy Pay comes with eligible checking accounts and may cover certain transactions when your available balance is insufficient.
  • Overdraft Protection Plans
    You may link your checking account to a savings account or line of credit. These overdraft protection options may be less expensive than Courtesy Pay, depending on usage.

To learn more about overdraft protection options, contact Energy One for details.

What Transactions Are Covered by Courtesy Pay?

Energy One may authorize and pay overdrafts for the following types of transactions:

  • Checks and other transactions using your checking account number
  • Automatic bill payments (ACH transactions)

Energy One does not authorize and pay overdrafts for the following unless you choose to opt in:

  • ATM withdrawals
  • Everyday debit card transactions

Overdraft decisions are made at Energy One’s discretion and are not guaranteed. If an overdraft is not authorized, the transaction will be declined and other fees may apply.

Overdraft Fees Explained

If Energy One pays an overdraft using Courtesy Pay:

  • A $29 overdraft fee is charged for each item paid
  • No fee is charged if the overdrawn amount is $2.00 or less
  • There is no daily limit on the number of overdraft fees that may be charged

These fees are similar to NSF fees but may help you avoid additional charges from merchants and returned payment consequences.

ATM & Debit Card Overdraft Opt-In

You can choose whether Energy One authorizes and pays overdrafts for ATM withdrawals and everyday debit card transactions.

  • I DO want Energy One to authorize and pay overdrafts on ATM and debit card transactions
  • I DO NOT want Energy One to authorize and pay overdrafts on ATM and debit card transactions

You or any joint account owner may change this decision at any time by:

  • Visiting a branch
  • Contacting Energy One directly
  • Calling 1-800-364-3628 to request an update

Important Reminders

  • Courtesy Pay is a privilege, not a guarantee
  • Overdraft protection options are applied before Courtesy Pay when available
  • Monitoring your available balance through online banking can help avoid overdrafts

Have Questions About Overdrafts?

Our team is happy to help you understand Courtesy Pay, overdraft protection, and checking account options.

Join Us

Become a member today.

Get started by opening a free checking account online today.

Get Started