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Debit Card Agreement

By continuing beyond this page, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of the credit union’s Debit Card Agreement. Read this disclosure carefully and print it for your records. If you are unable to print this document, a copy can be provided to you by Tower upon request.

In this Agreement, the words, “you” and “your” mean each person who applied for a debit card and each person to whom a debit card is issued, jointly and severally. The words “Credit Union” and “Tower” mean Tower Federal Credit Union. The words “account” and “accounts” refer to your Prime Share (Savings), and Checking with Tower only. “Card” refers to an access device issued to you by Tower which permits you to conduct transactions at automated teller machines (“ATMs”) owned and operated by Tower and at ATMs and point-of-sale (“POS”) terminals (if applicable) which are part of a network which accepts our card. “POS terminal” refers to electronic point-of-sale terminals which are part of a network which accepts your card to pay for purchases and obtain cash back/cash advances (where available) from your checking account. POS terminals include those merchants and financial institutions which accept Mastercard debit cards to conduct transactions. “Network ATMs” refer to the various ATM financial networks in which Tower participates. “PIN” means the Personal Identification Number assigned to you by the Credit Union. “Transaction” means an electronic funds transaction.

This Agreement defines your responsibilities and the Credit Union’s responsibilities with respect to electronic funds transactions performed through ATMs and POS terminals. It is understood that the Agreements and rules and regulations applicable to your accounts remain in effect and continue to be applicable, except as specifically modified by this Agreement. By signing an application for any card to perform transactions or using the card to conduct transactions, you agree to the terms of this Agreement.

Minimum Age Requirement for Debit Card. Individual account holders must be at least 18 years of age. If under age 18, but no younger than 13, an adult (who will be responsible for all debit card transactions) must sign as a joint account owner.

Obtaining Information. The Credit Union may obtain credit bureau or similar reports in considering applications for accounts or other services as permitted by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Overdraft Personal Line of Credit. If you participate in the personal line of credit overdraft service, the Credit Union generally will advance to the Checking account funds to cover checks exceeding the Checking account balance. Overdraft fees will apply, as shown in the Fee Schedule. The personal line of credit is a revolving line of credit; advances repaid are available to be used again. The Credit Union is not obligated to make any loan advances to the Checking account if the outstanding overdraft balance exceeds the established credit limit or as otherwise provided in the agreement governing the personal line of credit. In this case, you are responsible for immediate repayment of the withdrawal item if the Credit Union honors it in its sole discretion. Advances and payments and overdraft fees will be recorded on the monthly account statement.

Card Use. Your card allows transactions to be made on your account. The Credit Union may, without liability or advance notice, revoke or limit all cards issued under this Agreement. Upon demand, you will surrender the card promptly to the Credit Union. The debit card allows you to access the available funds in your account, within the daily limits described below, to purchase goods and services and to receive cash advances from your accounts. The debit card is NOT a credit card.

Making Transactions. The presentation of your card, and, if required, the input of your PIN constitutes authorization to the Credit Union to make transactions. You agree to follow the instructions posted for use of the ATMs and POS terminals accessible by your card. These instructions will be considered part of the Agreement. You agree not to make transactions that would overdraw any account. If, by mistake, you are permitted to make a transaction that you should not have been allowed to make, we may charge the amount involved to an account or otherwise hold you liable. When a PIN is required, you cannot make transactions without the entry of your correct PIN. Entries of an incorrect PIN may result in your card being blocked or the card being retained by an ATM.

Card Information Updates and Authorizations. If you have authorized a merchant to bill charges to your debit card on a recurring basis, it is generally your responsibility to notify the merchant in the event your card is replaced, your card information (such as card number and expiration date) changes, or the account associated with your card is closed (see Mastercard Automatic Billing Updater below for certain exceptions).

Your debit card is automatically enrolled in Mastercard Automatic Billing Updater. Through Mastercard’s Automatic Billing Updater, your updated card information (such as expiration date) may be shared with participating merchants to facilitate continued recurring charges. You may notify Tower if you do not want your updated debit card information shared with merchants that participate in this service. Updates are not guaranteed before your next payment to a merchant is due. You are responsible for making direct payment until recurring charges resume.

Foreign Transactions. If you effect a transaction with your Mastercard debit card in a currency other than U.S. dollars, Mastercard International Incorporated will convert the charge into a U.S. dollar amount. Mastercard International will use its currency conversion procedure, which is disclosed to institutions that issue Mastercard debit cards. Currently the currency conversion rate used by Mastercard International to determine the transaction amount in U.S. dollars for such transactions is generally either a government mandated rate or a wholesale rate determined by Mastercard International for the processing cycle in which the transaction is processed, increased by an adjustment factor established from time to time by Mastercard International. The currency conversion rate used by Mastercard International on the processing date may differ from the rate that would have been used on the purchase date of cardholder statement posting date.

Transactions Prohibited. You may use your card to purchase goods and services from participating merchants. However, you may not use your card to initiate any type of illegal gambling transaction, including, but not limited to online gambling. Also, you agree that you will not use your card for any transaction that is illegal under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Safeguarding Your Card and PIN. You will hold, in strict confidence, your PIN. You should not write your PIN on your card, the card carrier, or any paper carried with the card. This invites misuse of your card if it is lost or stolen. You should keep a written record of your PIN in a separate location from the card, with no identification as to what the number is. You should protect your card and PIN as if they were cash, credit cards, or checks because it is the key with which someone can access your accounts. Safeguarding your card is especially important for debit cards since the PIN is NOT required for its use at businesses which honor Mastercard debit cards.

Loss or Theft. You will notify Tower immediately of loss or theft of the card and/or PIN. If you recover your card after having notified the Credit Union, you will not use the card. Also, you will not use your PIN after having notified the Credit Union of its loss or theft.

Verification. Receipts issued by any ATM or POS terminal are binding on Tower only after verification of the transaction by Tower.

Liability. The Credit Union will not be liable for failure to honor a card due to improper use or retrieval of the card by an ATM or POS terminal. You should not use a cracked or broken card in an ATM or POS terminal. And you will contact Tower for a replacement card, if your card cracks or breaks. The Credit Union will not be liable for failure of a business to honor a card.

Responsibility. You are responsible for all transactions you make on your accounts. You are not responsible for unauthorized transactions as long as you exercised reasonable care in safeguarding your card(s). Legal limitations on your liability for unauthorized transactions are summarized in the “Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)Disclosures” section.

Deposits. All deposits will be credited to your accounts provisionally subject to verification by Tower. Funds from deposits may be available for withdrawal under certain conditions. (Refer to Tower’s rules governing deposits and funds availability for details.) You agree that the Credit Union’s verification of deposits will be final.

Card Use and Effect on Available Balances. Generally, use of your card at ATMs and POS terminals results in a simultaneous debit of the transaction amount from your account. If you use your debit card at a POS terminal in a manner that is processed as a Mastercard transaction (that is, when no entry of your PIN needed), the authorization to proceed with the transaction that the business receives will result in a simultaneous freeze until the earlier of the actual debit of the funds or three (3) days after authorization. During the freeze, this means that the funds will NOT be available for use, for example, to pay any checks you write. Please keep track of your card use and the effect on your available balance to avoid overdrafts or items being returned unpaid due to insufficient funds, and the fees associated with these types of account problems.

System Malfunction. You will not attempt to make a transaction when an ATM or POS terminal informs you (or other circumstances give you reason to believe) that the system is closed or is not functioning properly due to technical malfunction or lack of cash or is unable to initiate the desired transaction.

Joint Account Owner(s). To qualify, owners must be joint on both the primary owner’s Prime Share (Savings) and Checking accounts. You agree to hold the Credit Union harmless for any and all transactions by any cardholder authorized on your account. You accept responsibility for all withdrawals made by an authorized cardholder less than 18 years of age.

Termination and Amendment. The Credit Union may at any time terminate your right to make transactions or cancel this Agreement. The Credit Union may give notice of termination but is not obligated to do so. Your card and PIN may not be used after having been terminated. You may terminate or cancel your card by giving the Credit Union written notice. Your written notice of termination will become effective no later than the end of the first business day following the Credit Union’s receipt of notice. Termination will not affect any liability incurred by you prior to termination. The Credit Union may change this Agreement at any time by mailing a copy of the changes to your current account statement address. Unless the Credit Union is required to give you advance notice by law, changes are effective on the date changes are mailed.

Use of your card after the effective date of the change will acknowledge your acceptance of that change.

Collection Expenses. If the Credit Union has to file a lawsuit to collect what is owed by you, you will pay any reasonable expenses incurred by the Credit Union, including, but not limited to, outside collection agency fees and attorneys’ fees.

Agreement Controls. Both you and the Credit Union will be bound by this Agreement. If there is a conflict between the Agreement and something said by the Credit Union’s employees, you agree that this Agreement controls. This Agreement is governed by the internal laws of Maryland and federal law.

EFT Disclosures

These disclosures are required by federal law and are part of the Digital Banking, the Bill Payment, the Tower Talk 24, and the Debit Card Agreement between the Credit Union and you.

Member Liability. You are responsible for all transactions you authorize using your EFT services under this Agreement. If you permit someone else to use an EFT service, your card or your access code, you are responsible for any transactions they authorize or conduct on any of your accounts. However, TELL US AT ONCE if you believe your card and/or access code has been lost or stolen or if you believe someone has used your card or access code or otherwise accessed your accounts without your permission or if you believe that an electronic fund transfer has been made without your permission using information from your check. Telephoning is the best way of keeping your possible losses down. You could lose all the money in your account (plus your maximum overdraft line of credit). You are not liable for an unauthorized Mastercard debit card transaction if you can demonstrate that you exercised reasonable care in protecting your card from loss or theft.

Also, if your statement shows transfers that you did not make, including those made by card, code or other means, tell us at once. If you do not tell us within sixty (60) days after the statement was mailed to you, you may not get back any money lost after the sixty (60) days if we can prove that we could have stopped someone from making the transfers if you had told us in time. If a good reason (such as a long trip or a hospital stay) kept you from telling us, we will extend the time periods. If you believe your card has been lost or stolen or that someone has transferred or may transfer money from your account or if you believe a transfer has been made using the information from your check without your permission, call 866-56-TOWER or visit a Credit Union branch. Also, you may write to us at the address listed below under “In Case of Errors or Questions about Electronic Transfers.”

Available Tower Talk 24 and Digital Banking Transactions and Limits on Transactions. Your PIN/password and member number/username may be used with Tower Talk 24, the Digital Banking service, and the Bill Payment service to perform transactions on your account. In all cases, your ability to make transactions between your accounts is subject to the available collected funds in the account.

Tower, in accordance with Federal Reserve Board Regulation D, permits a total of only six (6) telephone and personal computer or preauthorized transfers (which includes automatic transfers to cover check overdrafts) per month from any type of savings account to any other account.

Available Debit Card Transactions and Limits on Transactions. Your card and PIN (when required) may be used to:

• Withdraw cash from your accounts at ATMs;
• Transfer funds between your accounts at ATMs;
• Make deposits to your accounts on any ATM owned and operated by the Credit Union;
• Make balance inquiries into your accounts; and
• Pay for purchases from your checking account at places that have agreed to accept the card. As part of the purchase, you may be able to get cash back depending on the policies of the seller of the goods or services.
• Your card and PIN may be used to obtain cash advances from your checking account at financial institutions that are participating Mastercard debit card institutions.

Some of these services may not be available at all terminals.

ATM access to Request Checking accounts is limited to ATMs owned and operated by the Credit Union.

You may make any number of transactions between your accounts or from your accounts provided that the available collected funds and limitations on the dollar amounts of transactions are not exceeded. There are limitations on the dollar amount of transactions that you may make with your card per processing cycle (approximately daily).

Daily Limits. For cash withdrawals at ATMs, the daily limit is $1,000 per card. For all other debit card uses (payment for purchases, including any cash back and non-ATM cash advances at financial institutions), the aggregate daily limit is $2,500 per card. For 13 to 17 year olds, there is a $300 aggregate daily limit per card. The limit can increase at age 18 if the member reapplies.

Fees. Transactions may be made at no charge at any ATM owned and operated by the Credit Union. If you make a transaction at an ATM or POS terminal, you will be charged a fee in accordance with the Credit Union’s Fee Schedule. In addition, the owner/operator, and/or any national, regional, or local network used to effect a transaction may impose additional fees if you initiate the transaction from an ATM owned by someone other than the Credit Union. If a transaction overdrafts any of your Tower accounts, you are subject to an overdrawn fee. If you lose your card and/or PIN you will be charged a replacement fee in accordance with the Credit Union’s Fee Schedule.

Circumstances in Which Information Will Be Disclosed to Third Parties. The Credit Union will disclose information to third parties about your account or transactions made by you:

• When it is necessary for completing transactions;
• To verify the existence and condition of your Account for a third party, such as a credit bureau or merchant;
• In the course of making reports or returns required by federal or state law, to comply with any government agency, court order, or applicable law and to our supervisory agency;
• As permitted by Maryland law, including the Maryland Confidential Financial Records Act;
• As permitted by federal law, including the Right to Financial Privacy Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act;
• As described in the Privacy Notice we give you from time to time;
• To our affiliates; and
• When you authorize us to do so.

Summary of Right to Receive Documentation of Transactions. You will receive a monthly account statement unless there are no transactions in a particular month. In any event, you will receive a statement at least quarterly.

ATM and POS Terminal Receipts. You can receive a receipt for each transaction to or from your account that is made at an ATM. You can get a receipt for each purchase of goods or services from your account that was made at a POS terminal. You can get the receipts when the transactions are made.

Summary of Liability for Failure to Make Transactions. If the Credit Union does not complete a transaction to or from your account on time, or in the correct amount, according to your agreement with the Credit Union, the Credit Union will be liable for your losses or damages as provided in the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. However, there are some exceptions. The Credit Union will not be liable if:

• Through no fault of the Credit Union, you do not have sufficient funds in your account to make the transaction;
• The transaction would go over your credit limit on your overdraft or other line of credit;
• The ATM or POS terminal where you are making the transaction does not have sufficient cash;
• The ATM, POS terminal, Digital Banking service, or TT24 system was not working properly and you knew of the breakdown when starting the transaction;
• Circumstances beyond the Credit Union’s control (such as fire or flood) prevent the transaction, despite reasonable precautions taken by the Credit Union;
• The funds are subject to legal process or other encumbrance restricting such transaction;
• The transaction would exceed one of the established limits contained in this Agreement; and/or
• The account is closed.

Electronic Check Conversion. When you provide a check as payment, you authorize us either to use information from your check to make a one-time electronic fund transfer from your account or to process the payment as a check transaction. When we use information from your check to make an electronic fund transfer, funds may be withdrawn from your account as soon as the same day you make your payment. We do not have to notify you if your account does not have funds to cover drafts, fees or other posted items. Whether the item is paid or returned, your account may be subject to a charge as set forth in the Fee Schedule.

Business Day Disclosure. The Credit Union’s business days are Monday through Friday. Holidays are not included. Automatic transfers that you request to take place on a specific date of each month will not occur on Tower non-business days which are Sundays and holidays. The transfer will take place on the next business day.

In Case of Errors or Questions about Electronic Transfers. You should e-mail the Credit Union, visit the Credit Union, telephone the Credit Union at 866-56-TOWER, or write to the Credit Union at Tower Federal Credit Union, Attn: EFT Claims, P.O. Box 123, Annapolis Junction, Maryland 20701-0123, as soon as possible, if you believe a statement or receipt is wrong or if more information is needed about a transaction listed on a statement or receipt. The Credit Union must be notified no later than sixty (60) days after it sent the first statement on which the problem or error appeared. You must:

• Provide your name and account number;
• Describe the error or the transaction in question and explain why you believe it is an error or why more information is needed; and
• Provide the dollar amount of the suspected error.

If notified orally, the Credit Union may require that you send the complaint or questions in writing within ten (10) business days.

The Credit Union will notify you of the results of the investigation within ten (10) business days (or 20 business days for transactions involving a new account) after being notified by you and will correct any error promptly. If the Credit Union requires more time, however, it may take up to forty-five (45) days (or 90 days for any transactions: (i) conducted at POS terminals; (ii) initiated outside of the U.S., its territories or possessions, or Puerto Rico; or (iii) involving a new account) to investigate your complaint or question. If the Credit Union decides to do this, the Credit Union will apply provisional credit to your account within ten (10) business days (or 20 business days for transactions involving a new account) for the amount believed to be in error, so that you will have the use of the money during the time it takes the Credit Union to complete its investigation. If the Credit Union requires that your complaint or question be put in writing and it is not received within ten (10) business days (or 20 business days for transactions involving a new account), the Credit Union may not recredit your account. An account is considered a “new” account for thirty (30) days after the first deposit is made, if you are a new member.

The Credit Union will tell you the results within three (3) business days after completing its investigation. If the Credit Union decides that there was no error, the Credit Union will send you a written explanation. You may ask for copies of the documents that were used in the Credit Union’s investigation.

Use of ATMs and Deposit Facilities

All members are advised that when using ATMs or other deposit facilities you should:

• Be aware of your surroundings, particularly during the hours of darkness;
• Be accompanied by another person during the hours of darkness;
• Refrain from displaying cash, place cash in a pocket as soon as the transaction is completed, and count cash in the safety of a locked enclosure such as a car or home;
• Use another ATM or facility or return at a later time if anything suspicious is noticed;
• Cancel a transaction, place the access device in a pocket, and leave if anything suspicious is noticed; and
• Immediately report all crimes to Tower or the operator of the ATM and to local law enforcement officials.

If you are a government employee, please print the instructions below and complete the following sections of the Federal Government Direct Deposit Form. Print the form and take it to your payroll office.

Section 1

1. Member’s/Employee’s Name
   Address of Employee/Member
   Daytime Phone Number
2. Member’s/Employee’s Name (or name of person entitled to the money)
3. Member’s/Employee’s Social Security Number or CSA Number if OPM or VA Claim Number if VA Compensation
4. Check either “checking” or “savings”
5. Tower account number
6. Check appropriate box (use “other” for civilian employers). If Military Active or Retired, indicate branch of service.
7. Under “Type” enter “Net” for Net Pay Check or “Allotment” for partial pay (for allotment enter a dollar amount).

Section 2

Enter your employer’s name and address of your Human Resources or payroll office.

Section 3

Print form, sign and date and take it to any Tower branch for endorsement. Or, mail the form to Tower at the address below.

Tower Federal Credit Union
ATTN: ACH & Check Operations
P.O. Box 123
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-0123

Once endorsed, take or mail the form to your employer’s payroll department or other government agency. Note: If this form is mailed to Tower for endorsement, we will mail the endorsed form directly to the address in Section 2.

To verify your direct deposit, login to Digital Banking, call Tower Talk 24, or call the Member Service Center. Not a Digital Banking user yet? Sign up now.

Questions? E-mail or call the Member Service Center at 866-56-TOWER.

Transferring balances from high-rate accounts to your Tower Mastercard^® is an easy way to save money. View Disclosures.

If you’re a Digital Banking user, you can submit your Credit Card Balance Transfer Request online. Simply login to Digital Banking, go to Forms/Credit Card Balance Transfer Request. Or complete and print the Credit Card Balance Transfer Request form (PDF).

1. Print your name, Tower account number and credit card number. Be sure to sign and date the form.
2. Write the creditor’s name, account holder’s name, mailing address for payments and account number of your credit card(s), with the exact amount of the balance(s) you wish to transfer to your Tower Mastercard. Minimum transfer amount is $100.00.
3. Contact your other card issuer(s) to close your other accounts if you wish. If you don’t already have a Tower Mastercard, apply online today! It may take up to three weeks to set up your new account and post the balance transfer transaction(s). This means you may need to make payments to your other accounts to keep them current. Checks will be mailed directly to your creditors. Please allow two weeks for checks to reach the creditors.
4. Mail the completed form to:

Tower Federal Credit Union
Attn: Credit Card Department
P.O. Box 123
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-0123

Questions? E-mail or call the Member Service Center at 866-56-TOWER.