9 Tips to Limit Overdraft Fees on Your MidFirst Account

Good record keeping is essential to managing your MidFirst account successfully and limiting fees on your account. Items can incur an overdraft fee if the ledger balance of your account does not have sufficient funds to pay the item. Below are some tips for managing your account. In addition to the tips below, we encourage you to watch our Account Management Tutorial video for further information about how to manage your account.

1. Maintain a Transaction Register

The best way to prevent an overdraft situation is by maintaining an account register to record every transaction on your account.

  • Record your transactions as you complete them, and keep a running balance for your account. Don't forget to record recurring transactions, such as car loans or mortgage payments, insurance premiums or direct deposits.
  • With Personal Online Banking, you can view your transaction history, set up and make bill payments, set up and manage alerts, and transfer funds between linked accounts. If you haven't enrolled in Personal Online Banking, visit our Online and Mobile Banking webpage.
  • Download the MidFirst Bank Mobile App today by visiting our Online and Mobile Banking webpage. With MidFirst Bank's Mobile App, you can access your banking account online with your iPhone, iPad, Android phone or Android tablet. You can deposit checks, view transaction history, make payments to payees established in Personal Online Banking, transfer funds between linked accounts and locate MidFirst banking centers and ATM locations.

2. Set Up Banking Alerts

Sign up for email or text message banking alerts in Personal Online Banking and receive one notice per day after our nightly processing when your balance falls below the level you establish. To set up alerts:

  • Log in to your account through Personal Online Banking, select the Customer Service menu and select Manage Alerts. You may opt in to receive any of the account-related alerts.
  • Select the Minimum Balance alert to establish a minimum balance notification for your account. This Banking Alert will notify you after nightly processing when your account balance is below the amount you establish.
    • PLEASE NOTE: Alerts are informational only and will not prevent overdraft situations. It is your responsibility to take action to ensure your account has funds available to cover your transactions.
  • You may also create a daily alert to let you know your daily balance. These daily alerts can also be received by email or text message.

3. Wait for Your Deposit to Process

If you make a deposit, wait until funds are in your "Available Balance" before using them, or you could incur an overdraft fee.

  • Your available balance is determined by taking the current balance of funds in your account at the beginning of a business day and reducing that amount by:
    • Any outstanding holds on the balance for deposits that are not yet available under our Funds Availability Policy.
    • Debit card items we have authorized but not yet processed for payment.
  • It is important to remember that deposits do not become available immediately and instead become available pursuant to our Funds Availability Policy. For more information regarding deposits, see our Funds Availability Policy in the MidFirst Bank Account Agreement and Disclosure.

4. Do Not Over-rely on a Balance Inquiry

Balance inquiries can be helpful, but they are not enough. A balance inquiry at an ATM reflects your available balance at a specific time but may not include recent or pending transactions. Rely on your account register balance to ensure you have funds available.

5. Sign Up for Overdraft Protection

MidFirst offers a variety of Overdraft Protection services, which include:

  • Overdraft Protect – Deposit Account: transfers funds from your linked deposit account to your checking account.
  • Overdraft Protect – Line of Credit: transfers funds from your linked line of credit account to your checking account.

These services can help you reduce overdraft fees. For more information on these services, the applicable terms, conditions and fees associated with these services and how you may sign up for one or more of these optional services, please visit the MidFirst Overdraft Services webpage, call the MidFirst MoneyLine at 888.MIDFIRST (888.643.3477) or visit any MidFirst banking center.

6. Fund Overdrawn Accounts

If you overdraw your account, make a deposit as soon as possible to bring your account positive, including covering any fees. Not doing so could result in an Extended Overdraft fee.

7. Review your MidFirst Bank Account Agreement and Disclosure (especially paragraph 24)

We have provided considerable information in the MidFirst Bank Account Agreement and Disclosure concerning our overdraft and transaction posting rules.

8. Watch Our Online Account Management Tutorial

For more information about how to manage your MidFirst account, we encourage you to watch our online Account Management Tutorial above. 

To speak to a personal banker about which solution would best fit your needs, please visit your nearest MidFirst banking center or call us at 888.MIDFIRST (888.643.3477).

9. Enroll in Direct Deposit

Most employers provide the option of having your paycheck deposited directly to your account. This is the quickest way to get access to your funds.