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Visa Credit Cards

VISA Account Agreement and Disclosure

Bold paragraphs meet Truth in Lending Requirements.

This agreement outlines the terms and conditions of your Credit Union VISA account and provides certain disclosure information required by government regulations. Keep this disclosure with your permanent documents.

In this brochure, the words "YOU," "YOUR," and "YOURS," mean each and all of those who apply for a VISA credit card, sign the agreement, or all parties who use the card. The words "WE," "US," and "OUR," mean the EDUCATIONAL EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION. The term "CARD" means the VISA credit card received with this agreement and any duplicates and/or renewals we issue. The term "ACCOUNT" means your VISA credit card line of credit account with us.

You acknowledge receipt of a copy of this Account Agreement and Disclosure. By using the card, any access device, or by authorizing another person to use your Account, you agree to and accept the terms as stated.

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GENERAL TERMS

The terms of this agreement must be read together as part of the whole agreement. When the singular is used the plural is implied if there is more than one signer. If any part of this agreement is found to be invalid the other parts shall remain in effect.

Everyone who receives or signs a card issued under this agreement must be a member of this Credit Union.

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YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

If your application is approved, each applicant will receive a Card and will be able to use the Account. The applicants may also receive VISA loan draft checks from time to time at the Credit Union's option. Each applicant is liable to repay the account under the terms of this agreement.

You are also obligated to repay any charges resulting from the use of the card or a loan draft check by another person with your permission whether or not the person stays within the limits set by you. If you notify us that a previously authorized user is no longer authorized to use the account, we will follow our usual procedures to preclude their further use of the account. If you cannot get the card back from the user, you must let us know and we will treat the card as stolen. Otherwise you must return the card to us. You will be liable for all use of the card up to the time you notify us that the authorization is terminated.

Any persons who use the card or loan draft checks are also obligated to repay the Credit Union for all charges incurred because of their use of the card or loan draft checks.

You agree to make your payments when due, and in an amount not smaller than the minimum monthly payment required as disclosed in the paragraph entitled, "Monthly Payments." On a joint account, each party is equally responsible for all charges under this agreement, even though another person has been directed to pay the debt by agreement of court order such as a divorce decree. You agree to notify us immediately of any change in your name, address, or any change in your financial condition which may affect your ability to repay.

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OUR RESPONSIBILITY

We will honor all legal purchases and cash advances up to your approved credit limit. We will provide you with a monthly statement, showing your Previous Balances of purchases and cash advances, the current transactions on your account, the remaining credit available under your credit line, the New Balances of purchases and cash advances, the Total New Balance, the finance charge due to date, any other billed fees, and the Minimum Payment required. We may delay enforcing any of our rights under this agreement without losing them.

We are not responsible for any plan merchant or other financial institution dishonoring your card or loan draft checks. We are not responsible for purchases or advances above your credit limit.

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LOST/STOLEN OR UNAUTHORIZED USE OF CARD

Unless you have notified us that the card has been lost or stolen, all transactions, whether made by you or another person, will be assumed to have been made with your consent. You agree to report the loss, theft, or unauthorized use of your card promptly. Please report your lost/stolen card to (800) 556-5678 or (800) VISA-911. Or you may call us any business day between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm at 559) 437-7700 or (800) 538-EECU. You may also write to us at P.O. Box 5242, Fresno CA 93755-5242. Calling us is the best way to keep losses down. Per VISA operating rules, you will generally have no liability for unauthorized use of your card. However, it benefits all Credit Union members if losses due to unauthorized use claims are kept to a minimum.

The zero liability rule does not apply to certain point-of-sale and ATM transactions as set forth in VISA operating rules. Your maximum liability for unauthorized use of a VISA credit card for these point-of-sale or ATM transactions is $50. Your liability may increase if you report the loss or theft of your card more than two business days (48 hours) after the discovery of the loss or theft. You will have no liability for unauthorized transactions that occur after you report the loss or theft of your card to us.

You may create a special "Verified by Visa" password to verify your identity and provide added protection to your online purchases. You can create your own password at www.visa.com/verified.

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HOW TO USE YOUR VISA ACCOUNT

Your Visa account can be accessed in the ways detailed below. Your monthly VISA statement will identify the merchant, electronic terminal, or financial institution at which transactions were made; but sales, cash advances, and credit slips cannot be returned with the statement. You will retain your copy of such slips furnished at the time of the transaction in order to verify the monthly statement.

(a) Cash advances: You may obtain cash advances on your VISA card at any branch of the Credit Union in any amount from $50 to the balance of your credit limit. You may obtain cash advances at any other financial institution displaying the VISA emblem and accepting the card, up to your credit limit. Such advances are also subject to the maximum advance permitted by that institution.

(b) Cash advances at an ATM (Automated Teller Machine): ATMs located across the nation will disburse cash advances on your card; a VISA emblem will be shown on the face of each machine. To receive a cash advance from a participating VISA ATM, you must insert your card and input your Personal Identification Number (PIN) which you will receive within 5 to 10 days after you receive your card. The maximum cash advance may vary between ATMs. The use of your credit card for ATM access is subject to additional ATM disclosure terms.

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IMPORTANT: FOR YOUR PROTECTION, DO NOT WRITE YOUR PIN NUMBER ON YOUR CARD OR KEEP IT NEAR YOUR CARD.

(c) Purchases: You may use your VISA card for purchases anywhere the card is honored by presenting the card to the merchant and signing the sales slip or voucher. You can also make purchases by mail, telephone, or via the internet by providing the merchant with your card number and expiration date.

(d) VISA Loan Drafts: The credit union from time to time may send you VISA loan drafts. You can use them to make purchases or to obtain loan advances. You may not use the loan drafts to pay any outstanding balance you owe under the agreement. VISA loan drafts are treated as a cash advance for purposes of calculating finance charges, whether you use them to make a purchase or to obtain a cash advance.

(e) Foreign Transactions: Purchases and cash advances made in foreign countries and foreign currencies will be billed to you in U.S. Dollars. The exchange rate between the transaction currency and the billing currency (U.S. dollars) will be (a) a rate selected by VISA from the range of rates available in wholesale currency markets for the applicable central processing date, which rate may vary from the rate VISA itself receives, or (b) the government-mandated rate in effect for the applicable central processing date, in each instance, plus or minus any adjustment determined by the Credit Union.

(f) Inquiries: Information about your VISA account is available 24 hours a day through VISA PIN POINT service or through the Home Banking section of the EECU website. Either service will provide account information such as your balance, last payment received and/or your available credit. VISA PIN POINT can be accessed with a touch-tone telephone by calling (800) 892-9603. The EECU website address is www.eecufresno.org.

(g)Allowable Transactions: We reserve the right to decline illegal transactions and, if we become aware, cancel your account. Illegal transactions could include online gambling, sports betting or the purchase of lottery tickets. The display of a VISA logo does not necessarily mean that the service or product offered is legal in the state in which you reside. The illegality of a transaction will not be a defense to the obligation to pay.

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YOUR CREDIT LIMIT

If your VISA application is approved, the Credit Union will establish a self-replenishing line of credit for you, and notify you of the amount in writing. This means that you can borrow the full amount of the credit limit, repay the principal in full or part, and borrow again up to your maximum amount of credit, as long as you remain a member of the Credit Union and continue to be creditworthy. Your credit limit and the unused portion still available to you will show on your monthly statement. Your available amount is reduced by the principal balance owing, accrued finance charges, fees and late charges, if any. You agree not to let the account balance exceed your approved credit limit.

If you wish to increase your credit limit, you must apply to the Credit Union by written, phone, or online application, which must be approved. We may increase your credit limit anytime at our option. Your credit limit will be reviewed periodically and you may be requested to provide current information. We will notify you in writing if we increase, decrease, or terminate with good cause your credit limit and/or account. Good cause includes, but is not limited to, your failure to comply with this agreement or our adverse re-evaluation of your creditworthiness.

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BALANCE TRANSFERS

You may ask the Credit Union to transfer the balance of your other credit cards to your EECU VISA account by sending us a written request to do so or by using a VISA loan check. Your written request must state the name of the company, the address, the account number and the amount of the payoff or must include a payment stub. If you elect to transfer balances to your EECU VISA account, the following will apply:

(a) Transfer Amount: We will transfer as much as possible without exceeding your credit line.

(b) Minimum Payments: Please allow four (4) weeks for balances to be transferred. You should continue paying the minimum monthly amount due on your other accounts until the balances have been transferred. We are not responsible for any late payments, finance charges, disputed amounts or errors on your other accounts.

(c) Billing Disputes: If you currently have any amounts in a billing dispute, we recommend that they not be transferred because you may lose your billing dispute rights.

(d) Transaction Fee: There is a cash advance transaction fee for each balance you transfer.

(e) Finance Charge: Balance transfers are treated as cash advances and are assessed finance charges from the transaction date. Finance charge continues until payment in full is received for the balance.

(f) Closing Accounts: Transferring balances will not automatically close your other accounts. To do so, please contact each company directly.

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MONTHLY PAYMENTS


MINIMUM PAYMENT SCHEDULE

BALANCE PAYMENT
If your new balance The minimum payment is
is under $20 the entire balance
$20 to $1,000 $20
Over $1,000 2% of the new balance

In addition, any portion of the minimum monthly payment remaining unpaid from a previous statement(s), and any amount exceeding your credit limit must also be paid with your regular payment. If the account balance exceeds $1,000, increases in the account balance will increase the minimum monthly payment. Every month you must pay at least the Minimum Payment upon receipt of your statement; however, any partial payment which we accept does not indicate our waiver of any of our rights under this agreement. You may, of course, pay more frequently, pay more than the Minimum Payment, or pay the total New Balance, and you will reduce the finance charges by doing so with no pre-payment penalty. If you make extra payments or larger payments, you are still required to make at least the minimum payment each month your account has a balance. If you pay the balance in full, please review the section on "Finance Charges."

We may allow you to skip one or more payments. If you choose to skip a payment when offered, we will continue to assess finance charges. At the end of the skip period, the terms of this agreement will be reinstated automatically without further notice.

Payments will be applied in the following order: 1) previously billed fees and finance charges on cash advances and purchases; 2) balances accruing finance charges at preferred rates; 3) cash advances and purchases from previous billing period; 4) fees and finance charges on new cash advances and purchases; 5) cash advances and purchases in the current billing period. If two or more purchases post on the same day, your payment will be applied to the smallest first.

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MAKING PAYMENTS

Mail top half of monthly VISA billing with your check to:
EECU - Visa Processing
P.O. Box 60097
City of Industry, CA 91716-0097

You may also make your payment at any of our offices or through our Home Banking BillPayer service. However, this may create a delay in crediting the payment to your account. This may result in additional finance charge and/or late charge. To ensure credit by the due date, mail payment 5 days in advance to the above address.

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DO NOT INCLUDE OTHER PAYMENTS WITH YOUR VISA PAYMENT!

FINANCE CHARGES

Your account will be subject to a finance charge. The finance charge is the amount of money that you pay for the money that you borrow. To make VISA accounts available to as many members as possible, we offer a variety of rates. The actual rate of interest applicable to your account will depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, credit history. The rate will be set when the new account is approved or when you request and are approved for a credit limit increase. Current rates are shown in the supplemental pricing section at the end of this disclosure.

Finance Charge Calculation Method - Average Daily Balance: We start by calculating the average daily balance for the billing period. For each day of the billing period, we determine the daily balance by adding up all cash advances, purchases, and debit adjustments plus any amount outstanding as of your most recent payment, then subtracting any payments and credits for that day. We then add all of the daily balances for the billing period and divide them by the number of days in the billing period. We then multiply the average daily balance by the monthly periodic rate to determine the finance charge for that billing period. The minimum finance charge in a billing cycle is $.50.

Platinum, Gold, Classic or Golden Owl Visa Grace Period: You have a 25-day grace period on purchases. Cash advances are subject to the finance charge from the day they are posted to your account until paid in full. If you do not pay your purchase balance in full within the 25-day grace period, finance charges will accrue on your purchase balance.

Starter/Student VISA Grace Period: Cash advances and purchases are subject to FINANCE CHARGE from the date of posting to your account until paid. There is no "free period," but you can reduce the FINANCE CHARGE by making your payment as promptly as possible. Any unpaid portion of your balance will be charged interest on your next statement.

Penalty Interest Rate: If your account becomes 2 cycles or more delinquent, the APR will be increased to 17.5% (1.458% corresponding Monthly Periodic Rate) on the following billing cycle. This rate will apply to the entire balance of your account (existing, future and promotional balances). The penalty rate will remain in effect until the account becomes current and remains current for five (5) additional billing cycles (six consecutive months), at which time the APR will revert back to standard pricing.

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OTHER CHARGES

Late Charge - A late charge of 3% of the payment due ($5 minimum/$15 maximum), will be imposed if your Minimum Monthly Payment is not received at the Credit Union on or before the Payment Due Date shown on your billing statement. You have a 15-day grace period in which to payoff a delinquency and avoid a late charge.

Overlimit Fee - $10.00 per month if your New Balance is $500 or 120%, whichever is less, over your approved limit on the day the statement is produced.

Cash Advance Fee - There is a transaction fee of 1% of the advance amount (minimum $2.00) for each cash advance posted to your account. "Cash advance" includes cash from a financial institution, cash ATM withdrawals and use of loan drafts. Card Replacement $5.00 each card. Additional charge for rush orders.

Statement Copy - $1.00 per statement

VISA Sales Slip Copy - $5.00 per copy

Research - $15.00 per hour

Other fees as outlined in separate Schedule of Fees.


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CREDITS

If a merchant who honors your card gives you credit for returns or adjustments, he will do so by sending us a credit slip which we will post to your account. You will be liable for any finance charges that accrue between the end of the grace period and the time the credit is posted to your account. If your credits and payments exceed what you owe us, the amount will be applied against future purchases and cash advances. If the credit is $1 or more, we will refund it to you on your written request or automatically deposit it to your savings after three months.

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DEFAULT

You will be in default if you fail to make any Minimum Payment when due in the proper amount, or if you fail to live up to the terms of this agreement. You will also be in default if your creditworthiness materially declines, you become insolvent, you file for bankruptcy relief, you die, or you cease to be a member of the Credit Union. In addition, you will be in default if you have made misleading or incorrect statements or material omissions of information in your credit application, or you fail to notify the Credit Union of a change of your employment, your name, or your address. Even if the Credit Union accepts a late payment or a partial payment, we are not waiving our right to accelerate payment of the account and declare the entire unpaid balance due. We have the right to demand immediate payment of your full account balance if you default, subject to our giving you any notice required by law. To the extent permitted by law, you will also be required to pay our collection expenses, including court cost and reasonable attorney's fees. In addition, the rate may be increased to the penalty APR and finance charges will continue to be imposed until the entire debt is repaid.

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CONSENT TO LIEN ON ACCOUNTS

In consideration for and as a condition of the Educational Employees Credit Union issuing a credit card to you, you consent to our right to offset any account payment delinquency with funds in any of your Credit Union accounts without advance notice to you.

The lien does not restrict your right to withdraw funds prior to the exercise of the Credit Union's right and is not a pledge by you of the account. Any exercise of this right by the Credit Union is not an election of remedies.

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CHANGES IN AGREEMENT TERMS

This agreement is the contract which applies to all transactions on your account even though the sales, cash advance, credit, or other slips you sign or receive may contain different terms. This agreement is made in California and governed by California Law to the extent that California Law is not inconsistent with controlling Federal Law. We may amend this agreement from time to time by sending you the advance written notice required by law.

You have the right to pay off your existing balance at that time according to the old terms. However, if you use the VISA card or Personal Identification Number (PIN) for any purchase or cash advance after receiving notice of a change in terms, you are agreeing that your existing account balance as well as future transactions will be subject to those new terms.

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CANCELLATION/TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

You or any jointly obligated party may cancel this agreement at any time by notifying us in writing. If we have given you a written notice of cancellation and you wish to have your account re-evaluated for a new line of credit, you must reapply and be approved.

We may reduce your credit line from time to time, or with good cause, revoke your card and terminate this agreement. We will give you thirty days' notice before we reduce or terminate your account without cause. But as indicated, if you breach this agreement we can terminate it without prior notice to you. Termination by either of us does not affect your obligation to pay the account balance, including finance charges. Cards and loan drafts remain our property and you must recover and surrender to us all cards and loan drafts upon our request and upon termination of this agreement.

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CREDIT INFORMATION RETAINED AND PROVIDED TO OTHERS

You authorize us to investigate your credit standing when opening, renewing, or reviewing your account, and you authorize us to disclose information regarding your account to credit bureaus and other creditors who inquire of us about your credit standing, to the extent authorized by law.

As required by law, you are hereby notified that a negative credit report reflecting on your credit record may be submitted to a credit reporting agency, if you fail to fulfill the terms of your credit obligation.

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YOUR BILLING RIGHTS

KEEP THIS NOTICE FOR FUTURE USE

STATE AND LOCAL LAW: The following summary of your rights under federal law does not cover all rights you may have under State and Local law. If, under State or local law, you have a longer period of time in which to send an inquiry to the credit union concerning your statement, reliance on any such longer time period may result in your losing important rights which could be preserved by acting more promptly under federal law. State or local provisions, if any, only become operative upon the expiration of the time period provided by Federal Regulation Z for submitting a proper written notification of an error. This notice contains important information about your rights and responsibilities under the Fair Credit Billing Act.

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Notify Us in Case of Errors or Questions About Your Statement or Electronic Transfers
If you think your statement or other documentation is wrong or if you need more information about a transaction on your statement, write us on a separate sheet at the address listed on your statement, Educational Employees Credit Union, VISA Processing, P.O. Box 5235, Fresno, CA 93755-5235. Write to us as soon as possible. We must hear from you no later than 60 days after we sent you the first statement on which the error or problem appeared. You can telephone us at (800) 538-EECU Nationwide, (559) 437-7700, but doing so will not preserve your rights.

In your letter, give us the following information:

  • Your name and account number.
  • The dollar amount of the suspected error.
  • A description of the error and explanation of why you believe there is an error. If you need more information, describe the item you are not sure about.

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How to Stop Payment of a Pre-authorized Electronic Fund Transfer

If you have authorized us to make your VISA payment automatically from your share draft account, you can stop the payment on any amount you think is wrong. To stop payment you must contact us in writing within 3 business days before the automatic payment is scheduled to occur. If you telephone your request, we will require you to confirm your verbal request in writing. If you order us to stop one of these payments 3 business days or more before the transfer is scheduled, and we do not do so, we will be liable for your losses or damages up to the amount of the transfer.

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Your Rights and Our Responsibilities After We Receive Your Written Notice of Error

We must acknowledge your letter within 30 days, unless we have corrected the error by then. Within 90 days, we must either correct the error or explain why we believe the statement is correct.

After we receive your letter and if you have not yet paid the disputed amount, we cannot try to collect any amount you question, or report you as delinquent. We can continue to bill you for the amount you question, including finance charges, and we can apply any unpaid amount against your credit limit. You do not have to pay the questioned amount while we are investigating, but you are still obligated to pay the parts of your statement that are not in question.

If we find that we made a mistake on your statement, you will not have to pay any finance charges related to any questioned amount. If we did not make a mistake, you may have to pay the finance charge, and you will have to make up any missed payments on the questioned amount. In either case, we will send you a statement of the amount you owe and the date that it is due.

If you fail to pay the amount that we think you owe, we may report you as delinquent. However, if our explanation does not satisfy you and you write to us within 10 days telling us that you still refuse to pay, we must tell anyone we report you to that you have a question about your statement. We must tell you the name of anyone we reported you to and we must let them know when the matter has been settled.

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Special Rule for Credit Card Purchases

If you have a problem with the quality of property or services that you purchase with a credit card, and you have tried in good faith to correct the problem with the merchant, you may have the right not to pay the remaining amount due on the property or services. There are two limitations on this right:

(a) You must have made the purchase in your home state, or if not within your home state within 100 miles of your current mailing address; and

(b) The purchase price must have been more than $50. These limitations do not apply if we own or operate the merchant, or if we mailed you the advertisement for the property or services. Under California law our right to recover outstanding credit extended to you for purchases is subject to any defenses that you have against the seller, if:

  1. The purchase price of the item in question exceeded $50;
  2. The purchase was made in California;
  3. You made a written demand on the retailer and made a good faith attempt to get satisfaction of your complaint; and
  4. You notify us, in writing, of the name of the seller, the date of purchase, the price paid, the goods or services purchased, the nature of your defense and the acts which you took to obtain satisfaction from the seller.
The amount to which the defense applies is limited to the amount outstanding on the purchase as well as late charges and finance charges at the time the written demand is received by us. This remedy is the only one you have against us. Your rights are limited to those circumstances outlined in California Civil Code § 1747.90. Purchases with cash or check are not included in this section, even though you used your credit card to validate your credit. We cannot penalize you by either giving out unfavorable credit information about you or canceling or refusing to renew your credit card solely because you obtained relief under the remedies you have for correcting billing errors.

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TERMS APPLICABLE TO VISA PLATINUM CURewards PROGRAM

VISA Platinum cardholders may participate in the CURewards program which is governed by the Program Rules outlined in the CURewards brochure. The following additional rules apply to the CURewards program:
  1. No points are earned for a balance transfer from an existing EECU Visa account or from another credit card.
  2. Points will accrue over four calendar years and will expire on a first-in-first-out basis annually; points earned in calendar year one will expire as of the last day of calendar year four. (For example, points earned in 2004 will expire December 31, 2007, points earned in 2005 will expire December 31, 2008, etc.).

ATM DISCLOSURE
You may use your card to obtain cash through Automated Teller Machines that are part of a nationwide network of VISA ATMs. These special provisions apply.

AVAILABLE SERVICES

  1. The amount of cash you can obtain may vary depending on the ATM you use.
  2. ATM service is generally available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

DOCUMENTATION OF TRANSACTIONS
Cash advances using a VISA ATM card will be shown on a transaction receipt dispensed by the ATM and on your periodic statement.

CREDIT UNION LIABILITY
If we do not properly complete a transaction according to our agreement with you, we will be liable for your direct losses or damages. However, there are some exceptions. We will not be liable, if:

  1. through no fault of ours, your account does not contain enough money to make the transaction;
  2. the ATM system was not working properly and you knew about the breakdown when you started the transaction;
  3. the money in your account is subject to legal process or other claim;
  4. your PIN (personal Identification Number) has been reported missing and we have blocked its use;
  5. circumstances beyond our control, such as fire, flood, electrical failure, or malfunction of the central data processing facility prevent the completion of the transaction despite our reasonable precautions; or
  6. there are other lawful exceptions established by the Credit Union and you are given proper advance notice of them.

In no event will the Credit Union be liable for consequential indirect costs or damages.

FEES

  1. The Credit Union does charge a transaction fee for VISA cash advances at ATM terminals.
  2. The owner of the ATM may charge an ATM transaction fee.
SECURITY

Do not use an ATM unless it appears safe to do so. Do not key in your PIN if someone is looking. Be sure you take your card and receipt when you are done. Put your money away quickly and leave the site.

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SUPPLEMENTAL PRICING INFORMATION

Account Type APR for Purchases,
Cash Advances, and Balance Transfers
Monthly Periodic Rate Penalty APR
Platinum 7.99% - 9.25% .666% to .771% 17.5%

Monthly Periodic Rate
1.458%
Gold 9.5% - 12.5% .792% to 1.042%
Classic 12.5% - 16.5% 1.042% to 1.375%
Golden Owl 9.5% - 12.5% .792% to 1.042%
Starter/Student 13.5% - 16.5% 1.125% to 1.375%

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