This is the Agreement between you, the member, and Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union (" Credit Union" ), regarding your accounts with the Credit Union. By establishing an account with the Credit Union, you agree that this Agreement is a binding contract between you and the Credit Union.
You should retain a copy of the agreement and feel free to call the Credit Union if you have any questions. In addition to your agreement with the terms and conditions set forth in this document, by establishing an account with the Credit Union you acknowledge receipt of and agree to the various terms separately provided to you with regard to Truth in Savings, Availability of Funds, and Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT) and Wire Transfer Disclosures. The various terms and conditions set forth in those documents are incorporated into this Agreement be reference. You also agree to abide by the Bylaws of the Credit Union.
This Agreement and those documents discussed above include certain disclosures required under the Truth-In-Savings Act, the National Credit Union Administration and Federal Reserve Board regulations and commentary, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (Regulation E), the North Carolina Electronic Funds Transfers Act, the Funds Availability Act (Regulation CC), Regulation D, and Uniform Commercial Code Article 4A.
Throughout this Agreement, the words "you" and "your" mean the member and any joint members or co-depositors or co-borrowers. The words "we", "our", "us", and "Credit Union" mean Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union.
New Account Information
Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union is a financial corporation. It was organized in October of 1957 under the laws of the State of North Carolina for the purpose of promoting thrift and savings benefits to its members, creating a source of credit for them and providing an opportunity for them to use and control their money on a democratic basis. A Board of Directors elected from and by the membership determines the interest rate to be charged on loans and declares the dividend rates paid on all accounts governed by this Agreement. The Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.
Membership
Membership Eligibility. The Credit Union serves in its field of membership those applicants within the Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union’s common bond as defined in the Credit Union’s Charter. You must be a admitted to membership before you can vote, hold office, invest in any share savings, checking or certificate accounts or borrow money from the Credit Union. Once you are a member, your immediate family members may also be eligible to join the Credit Union. Please review our website at www.mywsfcu.org for a complete listing of eligible groups for membership.
Family Membership. Our membership also includes, if sponsored by a Member in Good Standing, spouses of members and children (by blood, marriage or adoption) of members; surviving spouses of a deceased member who joined the Credit Union prior to the member’s death; members of the immediate families of the foregoing; and other groups as listed in the Credit Union's bylaws. Membership in the Credit Union is a lifetime membership provided that you keep your membership in good standing. The Credit Union's bylaws provide that "once a member, always a member" so that even if you retire, change jobs (outside the field of membership) or move to a new location, you may remain a member of the Credit Union. Only members in good standing may receive the benefits and services of the Credit Union.
Becoming a Member. To become a member of the Credit Union, you must complete a Member Application and Signature Card and open a Regular Share Account. The basic share deposit that you must always keep in your Regular Shares Account is $25.00, or your membership may be immediately terminated. To join Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union, you must open a Share (Savings) Account with a minimum deposit of at least $25.00.
Credit Information. You authorize the Credit Union to investigate your credit standing when opening or reviewing any Loan Account. We may report information about your loan account(s) to credit bureaus. Late payments, missed payments, or other defaults on your loan account(s) may be reflected in your credit report. You also authorize the Credit Union to disclose information regarding your Account to credit bureaus and creditors who inquire about your credit standing.
Deposits Generally. After you have established your Regular Share Account, you may make additional deposits into that account, or establish other types of accounts as described herein, at any time and in any amount. Your accounts are not transferable except on the Credit Union's books and records. We may establish minimum amounts for deposits in your Regular Shares Account or any other accounts you have with the credit union.
You can make deposits in person or by mail. At the present time, you can arrange to have one or more of the following deposits made directly to your accounts: (1) payroll deduction deposits, (2) net pay deposits, (3) Social Security deposits, (4) pension plan deposits, (5) stock dividends or (6) other miscellaneous deposits. If you have an automatic teller machine (ATM) card or a debit card, you can also make a deposit through one of the automated teller machines equipped to accept deposits.
If you have applied for and been given access to our ULTRA Internet Home Banking Service, you can also transfer funds from one account to another, provided you are an owner on every account involved in the transfer.
If you have arranged to have direct electronic fund transfer deposits made to your account at least once every 60 days from the same person or company, you can call the Credit Union at (336) 727-2663 to find out whether or not the deposit has been made. In addition, you will receive an account statement showing all such direct deposits at least monthly. Your account statements will be admissible as evidence of the electronic fund transfer deposit or other transaction they represent in any action in a court of law.
All deposits are subject to proof and verification. If you deposit a check, draft or other non-cash item, we have the right to clear it before we make the money available to you subject to applicable federal regulations. If there are special fees for collecting your deposit, you promise to pay them (see the Truth in Savings Fee Schedule for a list of fees). We may deduct such fees directly from your account. If we feel there is a reason to do so, we may refuse, limit or return any deposit. We have the right to refuse to accept any deposit and we specifically reserve the right to refuse to accept checks for deposit that have more than one endorsement. We reserve the right not to pay interest on amounts subject to garnishment, levy or other legal process; and we reserve the right not to pay interest on any deposit that is returned to us unpaid by the financial institution on which it is drawn (even if that means a reversal of credited interest).
All negotiable instruments presented for deposit must be in a format that can be processed and/or photographed. The Credit Union may refuse to accept any check or draft that does not meet this requirement. All endorsements place on the reverse side of any check or draft which you deposit to your account must be placed so that they are on the left side of the item when looking at it from the front and must be placed so they do not go beyond an area located 1 and ½ inches from the left edge of the item when looking at it from the front. The Credit Union may refuse to accept any item that does not meet this requirement, and, if the credit union does accept it, you agree that you are completely responsible for any loss we incur whi ch is premised on an endorsement not meeting this requirement, including any court costs and reasonable attorney fees.
Withdrawing Money from Your Account. As long as you have money in an account, and subject to any applicable state or federal laws and regulations and any specific terms of this Agreement, money can be withdrawn from your accounts by any method approved by the Credit Union.
Fees. Any Account may be subject to service charges in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by the Credit Union from time to time. You should refer to the Truth in Savings Fee Schedule for a list of fees. These fees may be changed at our discretion. We will provide you notice of such changes in accordance with law.
Transaction Limitations. Except with respect to your Share Draft Account, during any statement period, you may not make more than six transfers or withdrawals, or a combination of such transfers and withdrawals, from any account to another account or to a third party by means of a preauthorized or automatic transfer or telephonic agreement, order or instruction, and no more than three of the six such transfers may be made by check, draft, debit card, Internet transfer or similar order. If you exceed the transfer limitations set forth above in any month with respect to one of your accounts, your account may be charged additional fees for any additional transactions, or that account will be subject to closure by the Credit Union. Please refer to the Truth-in-Savings Disclosure for more information regarding transaction limitations. The Credit Union reserves the right to require not less than 7 days advance notice nor more than 60 days advance notice from you of any withdrawals.
Unlawful Internet Gambling Notice. Restricted transactions as defined in Federal Reserve Regulation GG are prohibited from being processed through this account or relationship. Restricted transactions generally include, but are not limited to, those in which credit, electronic fund transfers, checks, or drafts are knowingly accepted by gambling businesses in connection with the participation by others in unlawful Internet gambling.
Power of Attorney. If you appoint an agent as your Attorney-in-Fact with a Power of Attorney document and we accept the documentation presented for such an appointment, we may accept such an authorization for transactions without further communication to you. Unless your Power of Attorney document specifically prevents you from entering into transactions, we may accept either your personal transactions and/or those authorized by your appointed “Agent”.
Special Terms Regarding Share Draft Accounts
Deposits Generally. Once you have established your Share Draft Account (commonly called checking accounts), you may make additional deposits into that Share Draft Account at any time and in any amount subject to the terms of this Agreement. There is no minimum deposit for your Share Draft Account, however, you must maintain a minimum balance of $25.00 in your primary share account at all times. The above terms regarding "deposits generally" also apply to Share Draft Accounts, except as they may be modified by this section. All drafts drawn on your Share Draft Account may be returned by us unpaid for any reason that drafts are normally returned, such as, for example, insufficient funds, uncollected funds, or litigation.
Minimum Balance. The minimum amount required to open a Share Draft Account is $25.00. Thereafter, there are no requirements to maintain a minimum balance in a Share Draft Account, but you must maintain a minimum balance of $25.00 on deposit in your Regular Share Account to retain a Share Draft Account and if your Share Draft Account minimum daily balance decreases below $25.00, you may be assessed a $1.00 monthly service fee for each month the balance remains below $25.00.
Withdrawing Money from Your Share Draft Account. As long as you have money in your Share Draft Account, and subject to any applicable state or federal laws and regulations, money can be withdrawn from your account by written draft or any other method approved by the Credit Union.
Share drafts must generally be ordered through the Credit Union. If share drafts are not ordered through the Credit Union, the Credit Union will assess a fee whenever problems in clearing such drafts in an automated fashion arise. When you order share drafts through the Credit Union, the Credit Union will charge your account for the costs of said share drafts, which costs vary depending on the style of drafts ordered. You may select drafts from the current styles available.
Transaction Limitations. Except as otherwise stated in this Agreement, or in any applicable federal or state law or regulation, there are no transaction limitations on this account.
Payment of Share Drafts. The Credit Union is under no obligation to pay a share draft which is more than 6 months old. Except for negligence, the Credit Union is not liable for any action it takes regarding the payment or non-payment of a draft.
Dividends. The Credit Union does not pay dividend or interest on its Share Draft Accounts.
Funds Availability. Funds from deposits you make into your Share Draft Account may not always be immediately available. Refer to our Funds Availability disclosure for more details.
The use of the Share Draft Account is subject to other terms, conditions and requirements as the Credit Union may establish from time to time.
Fees. As with all other accounts, your Share Draft account may be subject to service charges in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by the Credit Union from time to time. You should refer to the Truth in Savings Fee Schedule for a list of fees. These fees may be changed at our discretion.
Overdraft(s). Unless you have “Overdraft Protection”, the Credit Union is under no obligation to pay a share draft you have written if it would result in this Share Draft Account being overdrawn (a draft written against your Share Draft Account when insufficient available funds are on deposit in the account is known as an NSF Share Draft).
Overdraft Protection. If Overdraft Protection has been requested and approved through an open-end line of credit, any check that is presented for payment against insufficient funds will be deemed to be a request for an advance under the terms and conditions of that open-end loan account, provided sufficient credit advance is available under the terms of that separate agreement. Any loan advance to pay the check will be credited to this account as provided in the Open-End Credit Agreement. You may not, however, issue checks from a checking account with insufficient funds to make a payment on your Overdraft Protection Line of Credit loan.
Involuntary Account Closing. The Credit Union reserves the right to close a share draft account if:
The account is overdrawn three or more times in a 90-day period.
Failure to maintain the $25.00 minimum balance in the primary share account.
Non-compliance with the policies adopted by the Board of Directors.
Determination that kiting is occurring on an account.
Not meeting other obligations with the Credit Union.
Truncated Drafts; Statements. Your canceled share drafts will not be returned to you; they will become Credit Union property and be held by us ("truncated") for you. Your monthly statement will itemize your canceled drafts by number, date of clearing and the amount of the draft. Any objection respecting any item shown on a periodic statement is waived unless made in writing to the Credit Union before the end of sixty (60) days after the statement is mailed. A copy of any share draft will be available to you as required by law. There may be a small fee to obtain a copy of a draft (see the Truth in Savings Rate and Fee Schedule for a list of fees).
Stop Payments
Stop Payment Order Request. You may request a stop payment order on any share draft drawn on your account. To be binding, an order must be dated, signed, and describe the account and draft number and the exact amount. The stop payment will be effective if the Credit Union receives the order in time for the Credit Union to act upon the order and you state the number of the account, number of the draft, and its exact amount. You understand that the exact information is necessary for the Credit Union's computer to identify the share draft. If you give us incorrect or incomplete information, we will not be responsible for failing to stop payment on the draft. If the stop payment order is not received in time for us to act upon the order, we will not be liable to you or to any other party for payment of the draft. If we re-credit your account after paying a draft over a valid and timely stop payment order, you agree to sign a statement describing the dispute with the payee, to transfer to us all of your rights against the payee or other holders of the draft, and to assist us in any legal action.
Duration of Order. A stop payment order is effective for six (6) months and may be renewed in writing from time to time. We do not have to notify you when a stop payment order expires.
Liability. Fees for stop payment orders are set forth on the Truth in Savings Rate and Fee Schedule. You generally may NOT stop payment on any certified check, teller's check or any other check, draft, or payment guaranteed by us. Even if payment of such an item is stopped, you may remain liable to any item holder, including us. You agree to indemnify and hold the Credit Union harmless from all costs, including attorney's fees, damages or claims related to our refusing payment of an item, including claims of any multiple party, account owner, payee, or endorser in failing to stop payment of an item as a result of incorrect information you provided the Credit Union.
Payment of Share Drafts after Death. The Credit Union may, after the date of your death, pay share drafts drawn before death unless ordered to stop payment by the Personal Representative or other appropriate person claiming an interest in the account.
Accounts for Corporations, Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies And Other Organizations, Incorporated or Otherwise
This section of the Agreement is designed to allow certain businesses and other entities as more fully described below to join Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union and to obtain various financial products and services offered by the Credit Union. Throughout this section, the words "you", "your", organization", and " business" mean the business or other entity that is joining the credit union.
A corporation is eligible for membership in the Credit Union if the group of shareholders of the corporation is composed for the most part of individuals who are also members of the Credit Union.
A partnership is eligible for membership in the Credit Union if the partners of the partnership are for the most part individuals who are also members of the Credit Union.
A limited partnership is eligible for membership in the Credit Union if the general partner of the limited partnership is a member of the Credit Union, and the limited partners of the partnership are for the most part individuals who are also members of the Credit Union.
A limited liability company (LLC) or a professional limited liability company (PLLC) is eligible for membership in the Credit Union if the group of shareholders (also known as members) of the LLC or PLLC is composed for the most part of individuals who are also members of the Credit Union.
A sole proprietorship is eligible for membership in the Credit Union if all of the owners of the sole proprietorship are also members of the Credit Union. If this account is established for a sole proprietorship, you agree that this account is not primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.
Other organizational structures, incorporated or otherwise, may be eligible for membership in the Credit Union if those organizations are composed, for the most part, of individuals who are also members of the Credit Union.
No organization, incorporated or otherwise, shall be eligible for membership in the Credit Union without substantiating its legal existence, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Credit Union, by providing such documentation as the Credit Union may, from time to time, require, including, but not necessarily limited to, the Certificate of Organization on file with the State of North Carolina or the state of incorporation, the most recent Certificate of Good Standing on file with the State of North Carolina or the state of incorporation, and such Resolutions as may be required by the Credit Union. We reserve the right to require that you provide, and you agree to provide, any such documentation at any time.
The Credit Union reserves the right to refuse membership to an organization when such organization has not been created with, has not been properly registered with, and is not governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina.
While generally the individuals who comprise an organization, incorporated or otherwise, shall not be joint owners on an account created for the organization, each of the individuals of the organization signing the Business Membership Card personally guarantees any obligation created by the organization owing to the Credit Union as a result of the establishment of a membership in the Credit Union for the organization.
The following types of financial products and services will be available to organizations:
SAME SERVICES AS AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS
To the extent applicable and not superseded herein, the terms and conditions governing those types of account and services govern accounts and services provided to organizations.
You understand and agree that the Credit Union may distribute funds pursuant to the terms of the most recently dated Resolution on file at the Credit Union, and the organization, all of its organizers, shareholders, partners, and/or members forever indemnify and hold the credit union harmless for distributions made in good faith pursuant to that Resolution. You further agree that it is your responsibility to notify the Credit Union when the terms of that Resolution have been revoked, rescinded, revised, or in any way modified.
Accounts for Trusts
Members who maintain a minimum $25.00 membership share in the Credit Union can open a separate membership account for a Revocable Living Trust, provided all Settlor-Trustees of that Trust are members of the credit union in their own right.
The following types of financial products and services will be available to Trusts:
Regular Share/Savings Account Share Draft/Checking Account Certificate of Deposit
To the extent applicable and not superseded by this section, the terms and conditions governing those types of accounts and services for individuals govern accounts and services provided to Trusts.
In order to open an account for a Trust, you agree to provide such documentation as is required by the Credit Union with regard to the Trust, including, but not necessarily limited to, the Trust document itself and/or an Abstract of Trust prepared by the attorney who drafted the Trust.
The Credit Union reserves the right to refuse membership to a Trust when it is not drafted in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina.
If you have opened an account for a Trust, you as Trustee(s) understand and agree that the Credit Union may distribute funds pursuant to the terms of the most recently dated Trust Agreement on file at the Credit Union, and you, on behalf of the Trust, all beneficiaries of the Trust, and all Successor Trustees forever indemnify and hold the credit union harmless for distributions made pursuant to that Trust made in good faith in the absence of gross negligence on the part of the Credit Union. You further agree that it is your responsibility to notify the Credit Union when a Trust for which an account has been opened has been revoked, rescinded, revised, or in any way modified.
Other Terms and Conditions
Share Insurance. Your savings in the Credit Union are insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the Federal Government, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the NCUA.
Charges. You agree to pay us charges in connection with your accounts in accordance with the Truth in Savings Fee Schedule for accounts in effect from time to time. We will provide advance notice of any increase in current charges, or any new charges, as required by law. We may deduct any charges owed by your from any of your accounts. We reserve the right to waive any charges in our sole discretion.
Return of Deposits/Closed Accounts. We may, at any time, in our sole discretion, refuse to accept any deposit, or close any or all of your accounts with us without prior notice to you. Provided, however, we may not terminate your membership in the Credit Union without satisfying the notice provisions of the North Carolina Credit Union Act and related Bylaw Provisions and regulations. If we close an account, we will notify you and send you a check for any balance in your account after deducting all applicable charges. Any withdrawal that reduces the amount in an account to zero (other than a Share Draft Account) may automatically close that account. We are not liable for any draft, withdrawal or other order after an account is closed. Any drafts presented after your account has been closed will be returned unpaid. We reserve the right to advise consumer reporting agencies and other third parties of accounts closed for misuse.
Inactive Accounts. The Credit Union will consider your account inactive as defined by North Carolina Statute with no deposits or withdrawals on your account. This excludes dividends credited to your account by the Credit Union. North Carolina Law requires the Credit Union to turn these funds over to the State after a period of no activity as specified by statute. Before turning funds from inactive accounts over to the State of North Carolina, the Credit Union will send notices as required by North Carolina law advising you of your rights. The Credit Union reserves the right to assess a periodic fee on those accounts that have not been used for more than 12 months.
Statement. You will receive a periodic statement (normally monthly) for your Share Draft Account or Business Share Draft Account. You will receive a periodic statement (normally quarterly) for your Share Savings Account or other savings accounts unless you have an electronic funds transfer transaction during a monthly period (in which case you will receive a monthly statement), or you will receive a combined statement on a monthly basis if you have a Share Draft Account or a Business Share Draft Account and other savings accounts. Each such statement shall show the transactions on your accounts and any charges. We reserve the right not to send statements for accounts we consider inactive, or for those accounts on which we do not have a valid address on file.
You should examine the periodic statement carefully and reconcile the account. If there are any discrepancies, the Credit Union should be notified immediately. You are in the best position to detect an unauthorized signature, a forged endorsement, or an alteration. You have the responsibility for any fraud loss if you fail to exercise reasonable care in examining the statement or fail to report forgeries or alterations to the Credit Union within 60 days of the mailing date of the earliest statement containing those items. The Credit Union will not be liable if items were forged or altered such that the fraud could not be detected by a reasonable financial institution.
Agreement. This Agreement shall be effective and shall govern all deposit accounts with us. By signing a signature card, making deposits or withdrawals, or leaving amounts on deposit, you agree to the terms of this Agreement. This Agreement shall supersede all previous agreements for such accounts.
Amendment. We may change any of the items of this Agreement at any time without prior notice to you if the change is favorable to you. We may make changes that are adverse to you only if we provide you with any notice required by law or required in this Agreement. You may close the account if you do not agree to the changes; if you continue to use the account or keep the account open after the effective date of such change, you will be deemed to have agreed to the changes.
Notice of Name or Address Changes. You are responsible for notifying us of any address or name change. Whenever we are required to send you notice, the Credit Union is only required to attempt to communicate with you at the most recent address you have provided to us in writing. The Credit Union requires all notices of change in address or name to be in writing. Accounts are charged a $5.00 per month service fee for incorrect addresses.
Notice of Amendments. Except as prohibited by applicable law, we may change the terms of this Agreement. We will notify you of any changes in terms or rates as required by law or as required in this Agreement. All notices regarding the account will be posted in our office lobbies or will be sent to you to the address shown on your statement. In the event of joint ownership, notice by or to any one joint depositor shall be deemed notice by or to all. We reserve the right to waive any term in this Agreement. Any such waiver shall not affect our right to future enforcement. We reserve the right not to send notice for accounts we consider inactive. Notices to us should be sent to:
Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union 711 Salem Avenue Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101
If you phone us, you MUST call at: (336) 727-2663
Effect of Notice. Any written notice you give us is effective when we receive it. Any written notice we give to you is effective when it is deposited in the U.S. Mail, postage prepaid and addressed to you at your statement mailing address. Notice to any account owner is considered notice to all account owners.
Indemnity. If by following your instructions we are exposed to a claim or suit by an adverse claimant, you shall hold us harmless and indemnify us from any such losses, expenses, liabilities or damages including actual attorneys' fees. If you ask us to follow instructions that we believe might expose us to claims, suits, losses, expenses, liabilities or damages, whether directly or indirectly, we may refuse to follow your instructions, or we may require a bond or other protections.
Severability. If any of this Agreement is found by any other court or regulatory body of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, the authority of the remaining provisions or portions hereof shall not be affected thereby.
Waiver. We may waive any of these provisions at our sole discretion, but any such waiver will apply only on that occasion. If we chose to waive any provision, we will not be bound to waive the same provision or any other provision on another occasion.
Lien & Right of Offset/Enforcement. If you owe us money as a borrower, guarantor, endorser or otherwise, we have a lien on the account funds in any account in which you have an ownership interest, regardless of their source, unless prohibited by law. We may apply these funds in any order to pay off your indebtedness. By not enforcing a lien, we do not waive our right to enforce it later. In addition, you grant the Credit Union a consensual security interest in your accounts and we may use the funds from your accounts to pay any debt or amount now or hereafter owed the Credit Union, or for any loss, cost or expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, we incur as a result of your failure to comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement or that we may take to enforce this Agreement or any other Agreement you may enter into with us. This security interest is not applicable to obligations secured by your residence, or unless otherwise may prohibited by applicable law. We will notify you if we have exercised our right of offset. All accounts are nonassignable and nontransferable to third parties.
Telephone Requests. You agree (for joint accounts, all joint owners agree jointly and severally) that funds in any of your accounts with us can be transferred upon the telephone request of any signer on the account. We shall not be responsible for any loss incurred as a result of our acting upon or executing any request, order or instruction we believe to be genuine. Furthermore, we may refuse to execute any telephone request or order. Unless a different limitation is disclosed in writing, we restrict the number of transfers from a savings account to another account or to third parties, to a maximum of six per month (less the number of “preauthorized transfers” during the month). Other account restrictions may be disclosed elsewhere.
Facsimile Signatures. You agree (for joint accounts, all joint owners agree jointly and severally) that the Credit Union may accept and rely on facsimiles of your signature(s) on any deposit or withdrawal form, order or other notices, requests or instructions regarding any account under this Agreement or with the Credit Union. We shall not be responsible for any loss incurred as a result of our acting upon or executing any request, order or instruction we believe to be genuine. Furthermore, we may refuse to execute any facsimile request or order.Information About Your Accounts and About You. Generally, we will not disclose information to third parties about your accounts or about you without your permission. However, we may disclose information: (1) when it is necessary to complete transfers or transactions, or to send notice of dishonor or nonpayment; (2) to our accountants, attorneys or other professional advisors; (3) to Credit Union or financial institution regulators; (4) to exchange, in the regular course of business, credit information with other financial institutions or commercial enterprises, directly or through credit reporting agencies; (5) to advise third parties of accounts closed for misuse; (6) to furnish information to the appropriate law enforcement authorities when we believe we have been a victim of a crime; (7) to comply with government agency or court orders, or to furnish any information required by statute; (8) to furnish information about the existence of an account to a judgment creditor of yours who has made a written request for such information;(9) when we are attempting to collect an obligation owed to us; or (10) unless otherwise prohibited by law. In addition, you understand and agree that we may, from time to time, request and review credit reports and other information about you prepared by credit reporting agencies or others. For additional information about how we share your information with third parties, please refer to the Credit Union's Privacy Notice.
Section Headings. Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not govern the interpretation of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
Joint Accounts (Survivorship Accounts). If two or more parties have signed a signature card, you are creating, and intend to create, a "joint tenancy with rights of survivorship." That is, you as the owners of the account agree with yourselves and the Credit Union that all sums paid in shares or other deposits (as applicable), together with all accumulations, prior to now or hereafter, less setoffs as allowed by law for any sums due the Credit Union by any party, shall be owned by all of you jointly with full right of survivorship, and shall be subject to withdrawal or receipt by any of you in whole or in part. Payment to any of you or the survivor(s) of you, or your personal representatives, administrators or assigns of the last survivor(s) of you, shall be valid and discharge the Credit Union from any liability for such payment and amount. Each signer appoints each other signer to be his or her irrevocable attorney: to make deposits to the account; to endorse, for cash or deposit, any checks or other items whether payable to one of the signers alone or with others; and to receive and receipt for all funds all without obligation to us to inquire into the source or application of funds. To induce us to act thereunder, each person signing the signature card jointly and singly agrees to hold the Credit Union harmless and indemnify us from loss, cost, and damage in all respects in connection with any of the foregoing, including court costs and attorney’s fees, except as may be limited by applicable law. Any or all of the joint owners may pledge all or part of the shares or deposits in the account as collateral for security on a loan(s). No authority or obligation of the Credit Union may be changed or terminated by one or more of the joint owners without prior written notice to the Credit Union, and no such change or termination shall affect transactions already made. Further, each joint owner is subject to the terms and disclosures of this Agreement, and hereby acknowledges receipt thereof. With the exception of Certificate Accounts or as otherwise prohibited by law, any joint owner on an account is also a joint owner on all sub-accounts listed under that account number.
Joint Accounts (Tenants in Common Accounts). A joint account held as “Tenants-in-Common” is an account owned by two or more parties, however, upon the death of one party, the remaining party(ies) do not receive the benefit of or assets in the account. We encourage you to tell us in writing the percentage of the deposit contributed by each of you. This information will not, however, affect the required number of signatures required on the account(s) for withdrawal.
POD/Trust Account Designation. A Payable on Death (POD) account or trust account designation is an instruction to the Credit Union that a single or multiple party account so designated is payable to the owner(s) during his, her or their lifetimes and, when the last account owner dies, payable to any named and surviving POD or trust beneficiary/payee. Accounts payable to more than one surviving beneficiary/payee are owned jointly by such beneficiaries/payees without rights of survivorship. The Credit Union is not obligated to notify any beneficiary/payee of the existence of any account or the vesting of the beneficiary/payee's interest in any account, except as otherwise provided by law.
Missing Endorsements. The Credit Union is authorized to supply any of your endorsements on any check or other instrument tendered for any account, and the Credit Union shall have no liability in connection with the collection of such items that are handled by it without negligence, and the credit union shall not be held liable for the acts of any agents, subagents or others. Withdrawals may not be made on account of such items until collected, or as otherwise provided by law. Any amount not collected, or later returned, may be charged back to the account, including expense incurred, and any other outside expenses incurred relative to the account may be charged to it.
Custodial Accounts for Minors. Chapter 33A of the North Carolina General Statutes provides, in part, that an adult may make an irrevocable gift to a minor, held by an adult custodian and we will establish such an account upon your request. The donor may be the custodian, or another adult may be named, however, either the minor or the custodian must be eligible to join the Credit Union. The funds in the minor’s Custodial Account are owned by and titled in the minor’s name. There may be only one adult custodian on each account of this type.
Regular Accounts for Minors. We may require any account established by a minor to be a multiple party account with an owner who has reached the age of majority under North Carolina law and who shall be jointly and severally liable to us for any returned item, overdraft, or unpaid charges or amounts on such account. We may pay funds directly to a minor without regard to his or her minority. Unless a guardian or parent is an account owner, the guardian or parent shall not have any account access rights. We have no duty to inquire about the use or purpose of any transaction. We will not change the account status when the minor reaches the age of majority, unless authorized in writing by all account owners.
Agency Designation on an Account. An agency designation on an account is an instruction to us that the owner authorizes another person to make transactions as agent for the account owner regarding the accounts designated. An agent has no ownership interest in the account(s) or Credit Union voting rights. We have no duty to inquire about the use or purpose of any transaction made by the agent. Pursuant to the provisions of N.C. General Statute 54-109.57, such a designation is valid only during your lifetime and terminates upon your death. Any account funds on deposit upon your death are paid to your beneficiary, joint account owner, or to your estate and are not paid at death to your appointed agent. A designation of an agent, such as through a Power of Attorney, authorizes your agent to sign checks drawn on the account and deposit funds into your account. You are responsible for the preparation of any such Power of Attorney document that you present to the Credit Union for this type of agency appointment.
Legal Process. If any legal action is brought against your account, we may pay out funds according to the terms of the action or refuse any pay out until the dispute is resolved. Any expenses or attorney fees we incur responding to legal process may be charged against your account without notice, unless prohibited by law. Any legal process against your account is subject to our lien and security interest.
Taxpayer Identification Numbers and Backup Withholding. Your failure to furnish a correct Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) or meet other requirements may result in backup withholding. If your account is subject to backup withholding, we must withhold and pay to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) a percentage of dividends, interest and certain other payments. If you fail to provide your TIN, we may suspend opening your account.
Special Account Instructions. You may request that we facilitate certain business, trust, will, or court-ordered account arrangements. However, because we do not give legal advice, we cannot counsel you as to which account arrangement most appropriately meets the specific requirements of your business, trust, will, or court order. If you ask us to follow any instructions that we believe might expose us to claims, lawsuits, expenses, liabilities, or damages, whether directly or indirectly, we may refuse to follow your instructions or may require you to indemnify us or post a bond or other protection. Account changes requested by you, or any account owner, such as adding or closing an account or service, must be evidenced by a signed Account Change form and accepted by us.
Termination of Account. We may terminate your account at any time without notice to you, or we may require you to close your account and apply for a new account if: (1) there is a change in owners or authorized signers; (2) there has been a forgery or fraud reported or committed involving your account; (3) there is a dispute as to the ownership of the account or of the funds in the account; (4) any share drafts are lost or stolen; (5) there are excessive returned unpaid items not covered by an overdraft protection plan; (6) there has been any misrepresentation or any other abuse of any of your accounts; or (7) we reasonably deem it necessary to prevent a loss to us. You may terminate a single party account by giving written notice. We reserve the right to require the consent of all owners to terminate a multiple party account. We are not responsible for payment of any draft, withdrawal, or other item after your account is terminated, however, if we pay an item after termination, you agree to reimburse us.
Termination of Membership. You may terminate your membership by giving us notice. You may be denied services or expelled for any reason allowed by applicable law, including causing a loss to the Credit Union.
Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws, including applicable principles of contract law, and regulations of the State of North Carolina, except as superseded by federal laws and regulations, by the Credit Union's Bylaws, and by local clearinghouse rules. Unless prohibited by applicable law, any action brought pursuant to this Agreement against the Credit Union must be brought in the local State District Court or State Circuit Court in the jurisdiction of the Credit Union's main office or Branch Offices.
Account Agreement. Your application for Membership in the Credit Union as well as your use of any Credit Union Membership privileges constitutes and acknowledgement and consent to the terms and conditions of your accounts as set forth in this Account Agreement and all other accompanying Disclosures provided to you.
USA PATRIOT ACT
In accordance with the USA PATRIOT ACT, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each individual or entity opening an account. This includes all personal and commercial accounts including loan and deposit accounts, as well as trust, brokerage, insurance, and investment management accounts.
What This Means To Our Members
When you open an account, you will be asked for your name, address, social security or tax identification number, date of birth (if applicable) and other information that will allow Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union to identify you. You will also be asked to furnish your drivers license or other identifying documents. We are required to follow this procedure each time an account is opened, even if you are a current member of Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union.
