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 our 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.

Learn more by watching short videos showing debit cardholders how to register a card, how to set mobile alerts, how to set mobile controls, and how to protect their card with in-app fraud tools.  Stay in control and download the free My Mobile Money app from your iTunes or Google Play app store today!

Overdraft Advantage

Overdraft Advantage gives you three ways to protect your Checking Account from overdrafts, returned items, and non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees:

Transfer from Share Savings

We will automatically transfer the funds from your associated Share Savings Account, for FREE, up to six (6) times within one month* to pay an item that would otherwise be returned for non-sufficient funds (NSF), if the funds in your Checking Account are not available at the time the item is presented for payment.  This feature saves the embarrassment of having a bounced check or an item returned unpaid.  It will also prevent the $35.00 NSF fee from being charged for each returned item.  This transfer of funds will occur first, before either of the other Overdraft Advantage features are initiated, as outlined below.

*Regulation D limits transfers to a maximum of 6.

Checks, ACH Debits & Payments, and Automatic Bill Payments

Overdraft Advantage is automatically activated for checks, ACH debits and payments, automatic bill payments, and other transactions made using your Checking Account once the account has been opened.  If your Checking Account is overdrawn by any of these items, Overdraft Advantage will pay them for you, up to a limit of $500.00.  This $500.00 limit includes a $35.00 fee for each item we pay for you.  While there is a fee for Overdraft Advantage to pay your non-sufficient funds (NSF) items, you will not have to pay additional fees to the payee or their financial institution.  Overdraft Advantage allows a maximum of 30 days to pay back the overdrawn balance in your Checking Account.

ATM and One-Time Debit Card Transactions

Overdraft Advantage also pays ATM and one-time debit card transactions if they cause your Checking Account to be overdrawn.  However you will be required to opt-in for these items to be paid.  Once you are opted-in, Overdraft Advantage will pay them for you, up to a limit of $500.00.  This $500.00 limit includes a $35.00 fee for each ATM and/or one-time debit card transaction that we pay for you.  While there is a fee for Overdraft Advantage to pay your non-sufficient funds (NSF) items, you will not have to pay additional fees to the payee or their financial institution.  Overdraft Advantage allows a maximum of 30 days to pay back the overdrawn balance in your Checking Account.  This feature of Overdraft Advantage is not available with Fresh Start Checking or Business Checking Accounts.

If you have multiple personal Checking Accounts, you will only have access to parts one (1) and two (2) of Overdraft Advantage, as listed above. Part three (3) is only available on one checking account per household.  If you have previously opted-in for ATM and one-time debit card transactions, you are not required to opt-in again.  If you have not previously opted-in, but would like to do so now, please contact us for assistance.

PLEASE NOTE: Effective December 1, 2018 you may not use Overdraft Advantage to overdraw your Checking Account at any Emerald Credit Union branch.

Any account overdrawn beyond a period of 45 days may be closed.  Emerald Credit Union reserves the right to either honor an overdraft or return the item for insufficient funds, even though we may have previously paid overdrafts before.  Contact a Member Service Representative for additional information.