A  Personal Checking Account is an account used for frequent transactions, including everyday expenses and payments.

• Funds are easily accessed via checks, a MasterCard Debit Card, preauthorized payments and/or electronic funds transfers.
• The MasterCard Debit Card may be used for both point-of-sale transactions and access to cash at over 38,000 surcharge-free ATMs.
• Free Overdraft Protection transfers from an associated Share Savings Account are available, subject to Regulation D (please refer to Important Account Information: Disclosures & Notices).
• Overdraft Privilege Service with or without Courtesy Pay is available.
• There is no minimum balance requirement or monthly service fee.

Emerald Personal Checking Accounts do not earn dividends.

A Fresh Start Checking Account is designed for members who may have difficulty obtaining a checking account at other financial institutions due to a record with ChexSystems.

• Funds are easily accessed via checks, a MasterCard Debit Card, preauthorized payments and/or electronic funds transfers.
• A MasterCard Debit Card may be added for access to over 38,000 surcharge-free ATMs.
• Free Overdraft Protection transfers from an associated Share Savings Account are available, subject to Regulation D (please refer to Important Account Information: Disclosures & Notices).
• Overdraft Privilege Service is available, but Courtesy Pay is not.

Fresh Start Checking has a six-month term and a minimum deposit requirement of just $25.00.   There is a nominal monthly fee (please refer to Fee Schedule) but once the account has remained in good standing for the six-month term, it may be eligible to convert into a regular Personal Checking Account - with no monthly service fee. There is no debit card point-of-sale access available until the account converts to a regular checking account. An Emerald Fresh Start Checking Account does not earn dividends.

Emerald offers a checking account for your business needs, too. 

• Funds are easily accessed via checks, a MasterCard Debit Card, preauthorized payments and/or electronic funds transfers.
• The MasterCard Debit Card may be used for both point-of-sale transactions and access to cash at over 38,000 surcharge-free ATMs.
• Free Overdraft Protection transfers from an associated Share Savings Account are available, subject to Regulation D (please refer to Important Account Information: Disclosures & Notices).

Neither Overdraft Privilege Service nor Courtesy Pay is available with a Business Checking Account.  The monthly Business Checking Maintenance Fee may be waived by maintaining a minimum daily balance of $5,000.00 (please refer to Fee Schedule).  An Emerald Business Checking Account does not earn dividends.

We are happy to open the following types of Business Checking Accounts:

• Sole Proprietor/DBA
• Organization, Club, or Association
• Limited Liability Corporation (LLC)
• Corporation
• Partnership

Contact your nearest Emerald Branch for more information, including required documentation.

A MasterCard Debit Card is available with all types of Emerald Checking Accounts, and includes a network of over 38,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.  Access to the free My Mobile Money app is also available giving you more control over how your debit card is used.  

MasterCard Customer Service:

Lost/Stolen 
800-264-5578

Card Activation 
800-448-8268

PIN Change 
800-448-8268

Traveling?
To ensure uninterrupted usage of your Emerald MasterCard Debit Card while you travel, please call us prior to your departure date.  We will add a “Travel Memo” to your account preventing the Fraud Department from blocking your card due to unusual spending.  This is also a great opportunity to update your home and/or cell phone number(s) as well, in the event that the Fraud Department ever attempts to contact you.

Surcharge-Free ATM Networks

The MoneyPass® is one of the largest surcharge-free ATM networks in the nation, with over 33,000 ATMs, including those found in over 2,000 Walmart stores, and over 8,000 7-Eleven convenience stores.  MoneyPass® now offers an ATM locator app for your smartphone.  You can find a MoneyPass® ATM by entering an address or zip code, or by using your current location.  Visit www.moneypass.com for all the details.

The Alliance One network also provides our members with surcharge-free ATM use at over 5,000 locations nationwide.  The Alliance One mobile app allows you to search by address or geo-location, and includes a bookmarking tool so you can keep your favorite ATM locations together in one place.  Visit www.allianceone.coop for all the details.

My Mobile Money

Now available for your Apple iOS or Android mobile device - The My Mobile Money app gives you control over how, when and where your Emerald CU MasterCard Debit Card is used, and it helps protect you against debit card fraud. 

• Turn Your Card On/Off.  Have you misplaced your debit card?  My Mobile Money allows you to turn your card off while you look for it.  Once you find your card, simply turn it back on again when you’re ready to use it.  Similarly, if your debit card is stolen, you can turn it off to help prevent unauthorized purchases.
• Get Notified When Your Card is Used to Make Purchases.  How cool would it be to get a notification as soon as your debit card is used to make a purchase?  My Mobile Money sends an alert directly to your mobile device and lets you select the parameters used to generate the alerts.  Options include online purchases, in-store purchases, merchant type, dollar amount limits, and more.  And, you set all your preferences right in the app.

Stay in control and download the free My Mobile Money app from your iTunes or Google Play app store today!

Emerald offers three ways to protect your Checking Account from overdrafts and accruing excessive non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees.

Overdraft Protection Transfer

An Overdraft Protection Transfer is a free automatic transfer of funds from an associated Share Savings Account to pay items that would otherwise be returned for non-sufficient funds (NSF), if the funds in your Checking Account are not available at the time the items are presented for payment, subject to Regulation D (please refer to Important Account Information: Disclosures & Notices).  This feature saves the embarrassment of having a bounced check or an item returned unpaid.  It will also prevent NSF fees of $35.00 each for these items.  This transfer of funds will occur first, before Overdraft Privilege or Courtesy Pay services are initiated.  You have the option to either accept or deny this free service at the time the Checking Account is opened. 

Overdraft Privilege

Overdraft Privilege pays items that would otherwise be returned for non-sufficient funds (NSF), if the funds are not available at the time the items are presented for payment.  This service is automatically activated for checks, ACH debits, automatic bill payments, and other transactions made using your Checking Account once the account has been open, and in good standing for 90 days.  Overdraft Privilege allows you to overdraw your Checking Account up to $500.00, including fees of $35.00 per item paid (please refer to Fee Schedule).  This service saves the embarrassment of having a bounced check or an item returned unpaid.  While there is a fee for each item that is paid by Overdraft Privilege, you will not have to pay any additional fees to the merchant for a returned item.  This service allows a maximum of 30 days to pay back the overdrawn balance.  Overdraft Privilege is not available with Business Checking Accounts.  You may opt-out of this service at the time the Checking Account is opened, and opt-in at any time.

Courtesy Pay

Once you have opted in, Courtesy Pay will pay ATM and one-time debit card transactions that would otherwise be returned for non-sufficient funds (NSF), if the funds are not available at the time the items are presented for payment.  Courtesy Pay is an added layer of protection as a part of the Overdraft Privilege service.  Courtesy Pay allows you to overdraw your Checking Account up to $500.00, including fees of $35.00 per item paid (please refer to Fee Schedule).  While there is a fee for each item that is paid by Courtesy Pay, you will not have to pay any additional fees to the merchant for a returned or unpaid item.  This service allows a maximum of 30 days to pay back the overdrawn balance.  Courtesy Pay is available once you have Overdraft Privilege service with your Checking Account.  Courtesy Pay is not available with Fresh Start Checking or Business Checking Accounts.  You must opt-in for Courtesy Pay separately at the time the Checking Account is opened, and you may opt-out at any time by calling or visiting either or our branch locations.

Any account overdrawn beyond a period of 45 days may be closed.