How to Reduce Your Overdraft Fees
July 25, 2016 in Monday on the Money
Overdraft protection is important because it prevents you from being stranded with no form of payment. It saves you embarrassment and it can save you in an emergency, but no one likes the fees. Luckily, with a service called Safety Link, you can essentially reduce your overdraft fee to only $10 if you are a Bank of the Ozarks customer.
With overdraft protection plans like Bounce Proof Security and Bounce Proof Plus, when you withdraw more money than you have in your account, the bank pays the difference. This results in an overdraft fee. But if you sign up for Safety Link, whenever you withdraw too much money from your account, the bank will automatically transfer funds from a linked Savings, Checking, or Money Market account, so instead of paying an overdraft fee, you only have to pay a transfer fee of $10.
Even the most financially savvy people lose track of their balance from time to time, but with Safety Link, those money whizzes save money and don’t have to worry about being turned down for a purchase.
By Adam Lucas Adam Lucas holds a Finance degree and an MBA from the University of Kentucky. His work has appeared in many major outlets including Yahoo, AARP.org, and GoBankingRates.com.
Monday on the Money is a weekly commentary from Bank of the Ozarks providing financial advice and solutions important to you and your family.
Additional information about overdrafts:
- For accounts in good standing, the service will generally pay overdrafts up to your Bounce Proof Security limit with a maximum overdraft of $500. Normal overdraft fees of $35 per item will apply, whether the overdraft is caused by check, in-person withdrawal or electronic means*.
- New accounts must maintain a positive balance and be in good standing for at least 30 days to be approved for Bounce Proof Security.
- Service may be withdrawn at the Bank’s discretion.
- Overdrafts must be repaid within 30 days.
*ATM Withdrawals and Visa Debit Card purchases which would overdraw your account will be approved only if you have elected to participate in the Bounce Proof Plus component.