Overdraft Protection and Services
Safeguard your checking account the way that works best for you with our tools, tips, and optional coverage choices.
Peace of mind designed around the way you bank
In a fast-paced world, even the most organized people can find themselves facing overdraft or non-sufficient funds (NSF) transactions.1 At Desert Community Bank, we understand that life gets hectic sometimes, so we provide the information you need to control what happens next.
First, let’s talk about preventing overdraft and NSF transactions entirely.
Here are a few tips for keeping your balance above $0:
- Track your withdrawals and deposits 24/7/365 with online and mobile banking.2
- Set up notifications and alerts in online or mobile banking to keep up with deposits, withdrawals, and whatever information is important to you.
- Pay special attention to delayed charges like gas, hotels, restaurant tips, and rental cars. It often takes a few days for the final amount to go through.
- Make a qualifying deposit before 6 p.m. PT to prevent overdraft or NSF transactions. Transfer funds via online, mobile, or telephone banking; stop by a DCB branch or DCB branch ATM by closing; or make a qualifying deposit via ATM or mobile banking before 6 p.m. PT.3
Understanding the difference between overdraft and NSF transactions
If a transaction reaches your checking account but there aren’t enough available funds to cover it, what happens? The item can be returned unpaid as a non-sufficient funds transaction or paid as an overdraft transaction.1 Here’s how it works:
- Non-sufficient funds transaction – DCB declines the transaction and does not pay it, so it's returned unpaid. We will not charge an NSF fee, but the person or business you were trying to pay may charge a late fee or returned payment fee.
- Overdraft transaction – The transaction goes through, and the item is paid. However, we may charge a fee, depending on the type of overdraft protection on your account.
You can add overdraft protection to your account—or not.
You can protect your DCB checking account with any or all of the options below. Not sure what to choose? Our experienced bankers are always happy to help.
DIY
You can skip overdraft protection and monitor your account yourself using online, mobile, and telephone banking. DCB gives you time to prevent returned transactions by making a qualifying deposit before 6 p.m. PT. You can transfer funds via online, mobile, or telephone banking; stop by a DCB branch; or make a qualifying deposit via ATM or mobile banking before 6 p.m. PT.3

Track recent and pending deposits.

Set up notifications and alerts.

View Instant Balance from your mobile app login screen.
Linked DCB accounts4
You can link your checking account to a DCB savings, money market, or checking account. If your checking account doesn’t have enough funds to cover a transaction presented for payment, we’ll automatically move funds from the linked account to make up the difference.

The transaction goes through (if the linked account can cover it).

You’ll pay no overdraft fees. (Whew!)

It’s convenient, but your linked account could earn less interest.
Overdraft Line of Credit (ODLOC)5
You can apply for a line of credit made specifically for overdrafts. If approved, your ODLOC will kick in if your account doesn’t have enough funds to cover a transaction.

The transaction goes through (up to your credit limit).

You’ll pay no overdraft fees. (Whew!)

However, you will pay interest on the ODLOC.
Bounce Protection6, 7
You can add optional Bounce Protection to your checking account. If your account doesn’t have enough funds to cover a transaction, we’ll cover it up to your Bounce Protection limit ($500 for non-interest-bearing checking accounts, $1,000 for interest-bearing checking accounts). The transaction goes through, and you’ll pay a $36 overdraft fee, up to three max per day ($108 total). You can opt-in or opt-out of Bounce Protection anytime.
How we protect you
- No overdraft fees for transactions $10 or less or when your end-of-day balance is negative by $10 or less.
- Giving you time to prevent overdraft fees with a qualifying deposit at a branch before closing or via ATM, online, or mobile banking before 6 p.m. PT.3 Never more than 3 overdraft fees per day.
If you add Bounce Protection to your account, you can also choose to add optional ATM and Debit Card Overdraft Protection.8
Bounce Protection alone can be used to cover checks, withdrawals at a teller window, and automatic payments for utilities, streaming services, and other bills.
ATM and Debit Card Overdraft Protection adds optional coverage for ATM withdrawals; everyday purchases at restaurants, stores, and online; and other one-time debit card transactions.
If you did not add Bounce Protection and/or optional ATM and Debit Card Overdraft Protection when you opened your account, you can use these forms to enroll. Download the Bounce Protection form here and the ATM and Debit Card Overdraft Protection form here. After you fill out the form, you can drop it off at a branch or mail it to the address listed on the form.
You can also layer different types of overdraft protection.
For the ultimate coverage, you can add all of our overdraft protection services to your account. Simply tell us whether to use your linked account(s) or overdraft line of credit first in the event of an overdraft.9 Bounce Protection will always be in the last position.
Which option should be first? The answer depends on your spending habits and the amount of money in your linked account. For example, if your linked account has a large balance, consider putting it first to avoid paying interest on your overdraft line of credit. On the other hand, if you are still building a nest egg, you may want the overdraft line of credit to be first. Still not sure? Our experienced bankers can help you decide what’s right for you.
Compare overdraft protection services for personal checking.
Linked Account(s) |
Overdraft Line of Credit |
Bounce Protection |
|
---|---|---|---|
How much overdraft protection does this option provide? |
Up to the total available balance of the linked account(s) |
$500 - $10,000 based on credit approval |
Up to $500 for non-interest-bearing accounts |
How much does it cost to cover an overdraft? |
$0 |
Interest begins to accrue immediately. |
$36 per transaction |
When can I add this option to a new account? |
Immediately |
0-10 days after account opening5 |
60 days after account opening6 |
If I signed up for all three services, in what order will they cover an overdraft? |
You can make this option 1st or 2nd. |
You can make this option 1st or 2nd. |
This option is 3rd. |
FAQs
A transaction can be declined or returned for various reasons. For example, the checking account does not have overdraft protection, or the transaction amount is more than what the checking account and your linked account, overdraft line of credit, and/or Bounce Protection can cover.
Here are some examples of what can happen when a transaction is declined or returned:
- Your ATM card is declined at the ATM. A message will appear on the screen asking you to enter a different amount or cancel the transaction.
- Your debit card is declined at a restaurant, store, or online. You can use another form of payment or not purchase what you had planned.
- Your check or recurring bill payment is returned. The item is not paid.
No. We do not charge a fee for transactions that are declined or returned unpaid.
Stop by a DCB branch to apply for or remove an overdraft line of credit.
Visit a branch for changes to a linked account or Bounce Protection. You can also call 760-243-2140 Monday- Friday, 6 a.m. - 7 p.m PT, or Saturday, 9 a.m - 5 p.m. PT.
No. ATM and Debit Card Overdraft Protection is only available with Bounce Protection.
Bounce Protection alone can be used to cover checks, withdrawals at a teller window, and automatic payments for utilities, streaming services, and other bills.
ATM and Debit Card Overdraft Protection adds optional coverage for ATM withdrawals; everyday purchases at restaurants, stores, and online; and other one-time debit card transactions.
Our Fresh Start program offers you an opportunity to maintain uninterrupted use of your account while you repay the overdrawn amount. Avoid outside collection agencies by repaying DCB directly in 1-4 installments.
1Your account is overdrawn when your Available Balance is less than zero. If we pay an Item which exceeds your Available Balance, the transaction will be considered an overdraft transaction, and your account will be considered overdrawn. If an Item exceeding your Available Balance is presented for payment and we return the Item unpaid, the transaction would be considered a non-sufficient funds transaction.
2Not all devices supported. Available for eligible personal and business checking and savings account customers only. CD customers may view their balance and account activity only. Must be an active personal online banking user.
3To be a qualifying overdraft deposit, the deposit must be: (1) of funds with same-day availability under our funds availability disclosure; (2) in an amount set forth in the next paragraph; (3) made to the overdrawn account; and (4) if the deposit will include cash or check, made at any of our branches up to the daily closing time of the branch on that business day, or at a full-service ATM located on the premises of one of our branches by 6 p.m. PT. A full-service ATM is an ATM that accepts deposits in addition to dispensing cash. If items exceeding your available balance were paid, the qualifying overdraft deposit must be in an amount that, when all debits and credits to your account for that business day have been posted, results in your available balance being overdrawn by no more than $10. A deposit made after 6 p.m. PT on a business day or made on a day that is not a business day is deemed to be made on our next business day.
4Linked account means another account on which you are an owner, such as a savings, money market, or checking account, which you requested we link to your checking account for overdraft protection purposes. If your linked account earns interest, you should decide whether the amount of overdraft charges on your checking account you anticipate you will avoid under the linked account arrangement will be greater than the amount of interest you will forgo by having funds transferred from the linked account. You may request our Truth-in-Savings Disclosures for the type of account you propose to use as a linked account. It offers information regarding how interest is determined on the linked account and any minimum balance or other requirements to earn interest on the linked account.
5Overdraft line of credit: Credit approval and income verification required. Annual percentage rate (APR) for an overdraft line of credit (ODLOC) is 18%. ODLOC amount varies by your credit score and other factors. Customers with a Desert Community Bank account relationship of 60 days or less are only eligible for up to $3,000. See your current consumer overdraft line of credit account disclosure agreement for details and more information about the interest rate.
6Bounce Protection: We will assess an overdraft charge of $36 to your account for each item we pay exceeding the available balance in your account. We may assess more than one overdraft charge to your account each day, depending on the number of checks and other items presented on your account that day, subject to the small amounts exception and qualifying overdraft deposit exception. However, we will not charge you more than three overdraft charges charges per day. We will not charge you an overdraft charge a) on any item presented for payment in the amount of $10 or less or b) if your account is overdrawn $10 or less after we finish the process of posting all debits and credits to your account on a business day. We do not assess overdraft charges until after 6 p.m. PT on each business day, which allows us to complete the process of posting all debits and credits received by 6 p.m. PT. This is important to you because it allows you to avoid an overdraft charge or non-sufficient funds transaction by making a qualifying overdraft deposit (defined above) by 6 p.m. PT on the same business day. We will pay the item only if your account is in good standing. We will not pay items that would cause the overdraft in your account to exceed your Bounce Protection limit. Your account is in good standing for purposes of Bounce Protection if you (1) deposit enough money to bring your account to a positive balance (including the payment of all bank fees and charges) at least once every 30 consecutive days by the end of the business day and the balance must remain positive until the next business day; (2) avoid excessive overdrafts; and (3) have no legal orders, levies or liens against your account. You should make every attempt to bring your account to a positive balance as soon as possible after an overdraft occurs. If we have not demanded immediate payment, you must bring your account to a positive balance (including the payment of all bank fees and charges) at least once every 30 consecutive days by the end of the business day and the balance must remain positive until the next business day. If you do not do so, we will notify you that your Bounce Protection has been suspended and that future items exceeding your available balance will be returned unpaid. Unless we notify you otherwise or you request that Bounce Protection be removed from your account, Bounce Protection will be reinstated on your account on the first business day after you bring your account to a positive end-of-business-day balance and the balance remains positive until the next business day. If your balance has been negative in any amount for 60 consecutive days, on the first business day after that we will close your account. "Item" means any order, instruction or authorization to pay, transfer or withdraw funds or money from your account including, but not limited to, checks, substitute checks, preauthorized drafts, withdrawal tickets, transfers, electronic debits, imaged debits, wire transfers, ATM debits, ACH debits, bill pay debits, photocopy debits, bank generated debits, and debit card point of sale transactions.
7Bounce Protection is limited to payment of paper checks and other transactions made using your account number (such as teller withdrawals, automatic ACH bill payments, and recurring debit card payments). We are not obligated to pay any item presented for payment that would cause your account to be overdrawn.
8Everyday (nonrecurring) debit card purchases and ATM transfers or withdrawals that overdraw your account may be paid using Bounce Protection if you have chosen to also enroll in ATM and Debit Card Overdraft Protection or if your account is a business account. An overdraft charge will be assessed in each of these situations. We are not obligated to pay any Item presented for payment that would cause your account to be overdrawn.
9You may instruct us whether you want us to transfer from any Linked Account(s) or overdraft line of credit in a certain order. Otherwise, we will transfer from a Linked Account or overdraft line of credit in the order it was associated with your account.
This information is subject to change. See the complete Disclosure Guide for further information.