Disclosures

Check 21 - Changes in check processing and how they will affect you!

What is a substitute check? - A substitute check is a copy of an original check that is the same as the original check for all purposes, including proving that you made a payment, if it includes an accurate copy of the front and bank of the original check and contains the words: "This is a legal copy of your check. You can use it the same way you would use the original check." A substitute check that meets these requirements is generally subject to federal and state laws that apply to an original check. If you lose money because you received a substitute, you have the right to file a claim for an expedited refund.

Your Right to file a Claim for an Expedited Refund - Federal law gives you the right to file a claim for an expedited refund if you receive a substitute check and believe that all of the statements below are true:

1. The substitute check was incorrectly charged to your account (for example, this may be true if we charged your account for the wrong amount or if we charged your account more than once for the same check);
2. You lost money as a result of a substitute check charged to your accounts; and
3. You need the original check or a better copy of the original check to demonstrate that we incorrectly charged your account (for example, this may be true if you think that we charged your account for the wrong amount and the substitute check does not clearly show the amount).

Expedited Refunds - To obtain an expedited refund, you must send us a claim. Federal law limits an expedited refund to the amount of your loss, up to the amount of the substitute check, plus interest if your account earns interest. You should be aware that you could be entitled to additional amounts under other state or federal law.

How to make a Claim for an Expedited Refund - Please make your claim by calling, or by writing to us at any of our locations. You must make your claim within 40 calendar days of the later of these two dates:

1. The date that we delivered the account statement showing the charge that you are disputing, or
2. The date on which we made the substitute check available to you.

If there is a good reason (such as a long trip or a hospital stay) that you cannot make your claim by the required day, we will give you additional time.

Your Expedited Refund Claim MUST:

1. Describe why you think the charge to your account was incorrect;
2. Estimate how much money you have lost because of the substitute check charge;
3. Explain why the substitute check is not sufficient to show whether or not the charge to your account was correct; or
4. Provide us with a copy of the substitute check or give us information that will help us to identify the substitute check and investigate your claim (for example, the check number, the name of the person/business to whom the check was written, and the amount of the check).

Our Responsibilities for handling Your Claim - We will investigate your claim promptly. If we conclude that we incorrectly charged your account, we will refund to your account the amount of your claim (up to the amount of the substitute check, plus interest if your account earns interest) within one business day of making that decision. If we conclude that we correctly charged your account, we will send you a notice that explains the reason for our decision and includes either the original check or a better copy of the original check than the one you already received. If we have not made a decision on your claim within 10 business days after you submitted it, we will refund the amount that we owe to your account, up to $2,500, plus interest, by that date. We will refund the remaining amount, if any, plus interest, to your account by the 45th calendar day after you submitted your claim. If we refund your account, on the next business day we will send you a notice that tells you the amount of your refund and the date on which you may withdraw that amount. Normally, you may withdraw your refund on the business day after we make it. In limited cases, we may delay your ability to withdraw up to the first $2,500 of the refund until the earlier of these two days: (1) the day after we determine that your claim is valid; or (2) the 45th calendar day after the day that you submitted your claim.

Reversal of Refund - We may reverse any refund that we have given you if we later determine that the substitute check was correctly charged to your account. We may also reverse any interest we have paid to you on that amount if your account earns interest. Within one business day after we reverse a refund, we will send you the original check or a better copy of the original check than the one you previously received, explain to you why the substitute check was correctly charged to your account, and tell you the amount and date of the reversal.