Peoples Check Protection

Having a check returned due to insufficient funds can be a costly and humiliating experience. That’s why we provide Peoples Check ProtectionSM a special overdraft privilege for The Peoples Bank checking customers.

Peoples Check Protection gives you an extra level of protection against unanticipated cash flow emergencies fand account reconciliation errors.

At The Peoples Bank, we do not encourage overdrafts. As always, we encourage you to manage your finances responsibly. The purpose of this privilege is to save you from the embarrassment, additional merchant fees or other problems that might result if a check is returned.

Peoples Check Protection is an overdraft privilege limit that is automatically assigned to your account. There is no action required on your part. You do not have to sign anything.

As long as you maintain your account in good standing (defined as making regular deposits and bringing your account to a positive balance at least once every 30 days), The Peoples Bank may, at our discretion, honor overdrafts up to the Peoples Check Protection limit on your account.

What is my Peoples Check Protection limit? If I have two checking accounts, can I get Peoples Check Protection on both?

Locate your account type below, and make note of the corresponding limit. If you have multiple accounts for your household, you may have a limit on all eligible accounts.

You should keep in mind that you will be charged our NSF fee of $29 for each check paid under the limit. The fee for paying an item is the same as for returning one.

You will receive an overdraft notice in the mail each time items are paid. Overdrafts above and beyond your established Peoples Check Protection limit may result in a check or checks being returned to the payee. The normal NSF fee will be charged per item and assessed to your account. So as not to exceed your limit if you use Peoples Check Protection, you should note that the amount of the overdraft plus our standard NSF fee of $29 for each item will be deducted from your overdraft limit.

You should make every attempt to bring your account to a positive balance within 30 days. If you are not able to do so, you will receive a letter from The Peoples Bank informing you of the situation and your options. If, after a period of time, your account has not been brought to a positive balance, we may suspend your overdraft privilege limit and take other steps to recover funds.

If you are a new active account holder, the overdraft privilege will be activated 30 days after the account is opened, provided that you have maintained a positive balance during the 30-day new account period.

The chart below is designed to make you aware of the different ways you can access your Peoples Check Protection limit and whether or not this limit will be reflected in the balance provided.

By keeping accurate records and knowing your balance, you can avoid mistakenly accessing your limit and incurring NSF fees. The best way to do this is to use your checkbook register to keep track of your deposits, written checks, withdrawals including service charges, ATM and check card transactions. Always reconcile your register with your monthly bank statement.

In the event you would like to have this service removed from your account, you may do so by simply calling 228-435-8642. However, once this service is removed, you should keep in mind that if an item is presented for payment and there are not sufficient funds in your account, the item will be returned to the payee and our standard NSF fee of $29 will be charged per item.