New Overdraft Protection Rules Go Into Effect July 1

by Stephanie CrosbyNew national rules go into effect tomorrow regarding overdraft protection services from banks.Some banks previously automatically enrolled customers in their overdraft protection service, charging a $35 fee to cover the costs of a debit or check purchase when the funds aren’t in the account. The new rule requires banks to ask new customers if they want the service.Louisville-based Republic Bank President and CEO Steve Trager says they started asking customers what they prefer in March, and 80% have signed up for overdraft protection.“The great, great majority of people want the service," says trager. "There’s kind of no reason why you wouldn’t want it. You don’t have to use it. But if you don’t sign up for it and we get a check or you want to use your debit card with no balance in it, you’re not even going to have a choice.”The rule goes into effect for existing customers on August 15th, but Trager says they’ve already been working to communicate with their roughly 70,000 checking account customers about the change.