Overdraft Services

An overdraft occurs when you do not have enough money in your account to cover a transaction, and we pay the item anyway. Your overdrafts can be covered in several ways:

1. Overdraft Honor (with or without Opt In Protection) – available to accounts in good standing.
2. Overdraft Transfer Service – funds are automatically transferred from one of your other Heartland Bank accounts to cover any overdrafts.
3. Reserve Line – a line of credit specifically to cover those unexpected expenses and emergencies. Talk to a personal banker to learn more about this option.

Overdraft protection services can be crucial when it counts most, like those times when emergencies or unexpected expenses come up right when your balance is lowest.

What are the standard overdraft practices that come with my account?

At our discretion we may authorize and pay overdrafts for the following types of transactions:

• Checks and other transactions made from your checking account
• Automatic bill payments
• Recurring debit card transactions (example: monthly membership dues)

We will not authorize and pay overdrafts for the following types of transactions unless you authorize us to (see Opt In Protection):

• ATM transactions
• Everyday debit card transactions

What fees will I be charged if Heartland Bank pays my overdrafts?

Under our standard overdraft practices:

• You will be charged a fee of $32 for each item that overdraws your account. You will not be charged more than $133 in overdraft charges on any given day.
• If your account is overdrawn for more than three business days, you will be assessed a daily overdraft charge of $5 beginning on the 4th business day, and each business day thereafter the account remains overdrawn.

Opt In Protection

At Heartland Bank, we understand that life happens. That is why we offer our customers services that keep them protected while giving them peace of mind. With Opt In Protection, you are ensuring your debit card still works in situations when your funds are low. Whether there is an emergency, unexpected bills or you simply forgot to check your account that day, Opt In Protection keeps you covered.

How Does Opt In Protection Work?

When Heartland Bank issues you a debit card, the Federal Reserve requires you to either allow or deny us the authorization to apply overdraft services when necessary. By Opting In, you are allowing us to cover any insufficient funds you have anytime you are purchasing something. If you don’t Opt In, your debit card will be declined when you don’t have enough money in your account – whether you’re making a purchase or a withdrawal at an ATM.

Learn more about Federal Reserve rules.

Opt In Protection FAQs

• What do you mean by Opt In? In 2010, the Federal Reserve issued regulations that affected the services available on debit and ATM cards. As a Heartland Bank customer, you are required to tell us if you want us to apply overdraft service to your everyday debit card and ATM transactions. If you do not Opt In, all everyday debit and ATM transactions will be declined when sufficient funds are not available in your account.
• What's an everyday, one-time debit card transaction? “Everyday” or “one-time” debit card transactions are the day-to-day purchases you make with your Heartland Bank Debit Card at the grocery store, gas station, drug store, or wherever you shop. The Federal Reserve rules do not apply to debit card transactions that have been set up to recur on a regularly scheduled basis, such as those for gym memberships or other types of auto-debited payments.
• What types of ATM transactions are affected by the rules? The regulations apply to withdrawals or transfers made from your Heartland Bank personal checking account at any ATM. If you choose not to Opt In, you will not be allowed to withdraw or transfer an amount that is greater than the funds available in your account at that time, even if you have our Overdraft Honor service.
• Why should I Opt In? By Opting In, you are saying yes to peace of mind. Although you may never need to use the service, it’s important to have that protection in place in case you ever need it. Another good part about Opting In is you won’t be charged unless you use the service.
• What does it mean to be declined? If you have chosen not to Opt In and you attempt to make a purchase with your Heartland Bank Debit Card that is for more than the funds available in your account, the merchant will not be able to accept your Debit Card as a form of payment and will decline the purchase.
• Once I Opt In, can I Opt Out at a later date? Yes. You or any joint owner on the account may revoke this consent at any time. Just call or stop by a Heartland Bank office, phone our Customer Care Center at 888-897-2276 or mail your request to:

Heartland Bank
PO Box 67
Bloomington, IL 61702-0067

• By Opting In, am I signing up to pay overdraft fees? There is no charge to your account if you don’t overdraw your account. If you carefully track your transactions using your check register and keep sufficient funds in your account, then you won’t need to use the service at all. Any overdraft service on your account will be there just for your peace of mind.
• How can I avoid overdrafts? The best way to avoid overdrafts is to keep a current and accurate transaction register and balance it to your monthly statements. Also, be sure to record automatic payments, bill pay transactions, debit card purchases, etc. Information from online banking, mobile banking, telephone banking, or ATMs can be very helpful sources, but they do not reflect outstanding transactions that have not yet been posted to your account. If you need any assistance with learning how to reconcile your statements, we will be happy to help you.
• How do I Opt In? Sign up by filling out and returning the Opt In Protection Form.

Overdraft Transfer Service

Protect your personal or DBA checking account from overdrafts by linking to your savings, money market, or another checking account.

How does the Overdraft Transfer Service work?

Funds will automatically be transferred from the available balance in the linked account if an overdraft occurs on the covered account. One transfer occurs during nightly processing to cover the overdrawn balance, regardless of the number of transactions that create an overdraft.

Overdraft Transfer Service FAQs

• Is this service available on all checking accounts? No. The Overdraft Transfer Service is only available on personal accounts and on DBA (sole-proprietor) accounts. Businesses needing this type of service should discuss other options with a personal banker.
• Is there a fee? A $10 transfer fee is charged only if a transfer occurs. One transfer will occur during nightly processing to cover the overdrawn balance; there is not a transfer for each transaction that overdraws the account.
• Which account is charged the $10 fee? The fee is charged to the account that has become overdrawn (the protected account). The transfer amount will include funds to cover the overdrawn amount plus the transfer fee.
• How much will transfer at a time? You can choose to have only the amount needed or you can request an incremental amount—for example, $100 increments.
• How do I sign up? You have several options. You can print and complete the authorization form and mail it in, you can visit any office, or you can call us. We look forward to assisting you!

To discuss any of the Heartland Bank Overdraft Services, please visit your local branch or call our Customer Care Center.