Compliance and Legal Requirements

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of the Treasury policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Submit a complaint of discrimination, by mail to U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20220, (202) 622-1160 (phone), (202) 622-0367 (fax), or email [email protected].

Our general policy is to make funds from your deposits available to you on the same business day as the day we receive your deposit. At that time, you can withdraw the funds in cash and, in the case of Share Draft Checking accounts, we will use the funds to pay checks that you have written. Please remember that even after we have made funds available to you and you have withdrawn the funds, you are still responsible for checks that are returned to us unpaid and for any other problems involving any items you have cashed or deposited.

Longer Delays May Apply: In some cases, we will not make all of the funds that you deposit by check available to you on the same business day as the day of your deposit. Depending on the type of check that you deposit, funds may not be available until the fifth business day after the day of your deposit. However, the first $225 of your deposit will be available on the same business day. If we do not make all of the funds from your deposit available on the same business day, we will notify you at the time you make your deposit. We will also tell you when the funds will be available. If your deposit is not made directly to one of our employees, or if we decide to take this action after you have left the branch premises, we will mail you the notice no later than the day after we receive your deposit. If you need the funds from a deposit right away, please ask us when funds will be available.

On September 11, 2001, our lives changed forever because of the attacks on our country. In an effort to protect you and our country, President Bush signed the USA Patriot Act into law on October 26, 2001.

One section of the USA Patriot Act says we must:

• Verify the identity of any person seeking to open an account (includes Trust, Investment, Safe Deposit, Loans and Deposit Accounts)
• Maintain records of the information used to verify the person's identity including name, address, and their identifying means. If the staff at CoastHills Credit Union asks you to provide a photo ID, the request is not meant to invade your privacy or not acknowledge you if you are a long time member. We are simply complying with a new federal regulation that is designed to protect you from identity theft and protect the credit union from being used for criminal activity

We proudly support all efforts to protect and maintain the security of our members and our country.

The Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act (Check 21) was signed into law on October 28, 2003, and became effective on October 28, 2004. The purpose of the new law was to introduce a new negotiable instrument called the substitute check and to improve the U.S. payment system. Check 21 has brought about some changes, of which you need to be aware.

Your cancelled checks may actually be a substitute check, or Image Replacement Document (IRD), a legal equivalent to the original. These will look different - a smaller image than the original, front and back, with a statement printed to the left, which reads, "This is a legal copy of your check. You can use it in the same way you would use the original check."

Substitute checks may clear quicker than paper checks, which take at least a day or two to process and present to the paying financial institution. This is where Check 21 may have a direct impact, as it may eventually eliminate check float time. This means that once this program is in place, when you write a check, the money should be in your account at that time.

Click here for more information about Check 21.

As part of our risk management process our auditors, Clifton Larson Allen, will be performing an account verification in which our members will be asked to confirm the accuracy of an account balance. This process is required by our auditors and regulators. As part of this procedure you may be randomly selected. It is one of many internal control processes followed by the credit union to enhance the accuracy and reliability of our financial reporting systems, which ultimately protect you.

If you believe a transfer listed on your statement or receipt is wrong, or if you need more information about the transfer, please contact us. Disputes must be submitted no later than 60 days after we sent the first statement on which the problem or error appeared. Please include the following information:

• Your name and account number
• A detailed description of the error or the transfer you are unsure about (including the transaction date) and the reason for the inquiry
• The dollar amount of the suspected error

If we are notified orally, we may require that you send your complaint or question in writing within 10 business days.

We will notify you of the results of our investigation within 10 business days after we hear from you and we will correct any error promptly. However, if we need more time, we can take up to 45 days* to investigate your complaint or question. If we decide to do this, we will credit your account within 10 business days** for the disputed amount in order to grant you use of the funds while we complete our investigation. If the error you assert is an unauthorized VISA transaction, other than a cash disbursement at an ATM, we will credit your account within five business days, unless we determine that the circumstances or your account history warrant a delay, in which case you will receive credit within 10 business days. If we ask you to put your dispute in writing and do not receive it within 10 business days, we may not credit your account.

If it is determined that there is no error, we will send you a written explanation within three business days of completing our investigation. You may ask for copies of the documents that we used in our investigation.

*If you give notice of an error within 30 days after you make the first deposit to your account, we will have 20 business days instead of 10 business days.
**If you give notice of an error within 30 days after you make the first deposit to your account and the error involves a point of sale transaction or a transaction initiated outside the U.S., its possessions and territories, we will have 90 days instead of 45 days to investigate.

CoastHills Credit Union’s good reputation is due in large part to the loyalty, commitment and continued efforts of its employees, volunteers and members. CoastHills is committed to treating its employees, volunteers and members with the respect they deserve and is committed to maintaining a workplace free from unacceptable conduct from any source.

CoastHills is committed to providing a safe work environment in which employees are free from acts of aggression, intimidation, bullying or violence. If confronted with a dangerous or potentially dangerous incident, management should refer to and implement applicable procedures immediately. Under this Policy, member expulsion, which procedurally may take more time to implement, may be done concurrently with limitation of services and other measures implemented to help ensure a safe business environment and workplace safety.

This Policy incorporates the regulatory requirements found in the CHFCU Bylaws, including but not limited to Article XIV Member Expulsion and Withdrawal, and NCUA regulations both of which articulate the definition of a member in good standing, a member not in good standing, the appropriate process for limitation of services and permissible member expulsion.

This policy shall also extend to member conduct at any Shared Branch network location.

LIMITATION OF SERVICES  
Any member not in good standing because of behavior that meets the “for cause” standard, is subject to service limitations. Any limitations enforced shall be commensurate with the member’s acts which formed the “for cause” basis for CoastHills to enforce this Policy. The accounts and services of the member not in good standing may be discontinued, with the exception that the member may retain their right to attend, participate, and vote at the annual and special meetings of the members and maintain a share account. A share account may be maintained with the minimum required share account balance. If warranted, limitation of service may include restricting a share account to its minimum balance requirement.
       
Management may enforce limitation of services under this Policy. Any member subject to limitation of services shall be notified in writing of the applicable limitations.
 
MEMBER EXPULSION   
Member expulsion is governed by NCUA regulations and the CoastHills Bylaws that reflect those regulations. Expulsion is considered the most extreme measure for managing the risks associated with members not in good standing. Therefore, there are strict requirements and procedures that must be followed to implement member expulsion.
 
There are two primary categories under which a member may be expelled. The first is expulsion for cause, and the second is member nonparticipation. Expulsion for cause is implemented either through a special meeting of the members or by the CoastHills Board. Expulsion for nonparticipation may be implemented by management provided that a nonparticipation policy has been provided to each member.
 
Nonparticipation  
A member may be expelled from CoastHills for nonparticipation. Nonparticipation means failure to vote in elections, failure to purchase shares from, obtain a loan from or lend to CoastHills. CoastHills management may enforce this Policy and must follow the definition of nonparticipation when enforcing and implementing this Policy.
 
When enforcing this policy, the following key limitations apply: 

Declaring bankruptcy or otherwise causing a loss does not constitute nonparticipation.
 
If a member reduces their share balance below the par value of one share, and this is the sole reason that member would be considered “nonparticipating,” the member is allowed six (6) months to return their balance to at least one share. If, after six months, the balance is still below par value, that member may be considered “nonparticipating.”
     
Members to be expelled for nonparticipation shall be provided written notice of nonparticipation and shall be provided at least sixty (60) days from the mailing (or electronic transmission) of the notice to participate in the Credit Union. At the expiration of the 60-day period, management may terminate their membership.
 
Member Liability  
Expulsion or withdrawal does not relieve a member of any liability to CoastHills. CoastHills will pay all of the member’s shares upon the member’s expulsion or withdrawal less any amounts due to CoastHills. 

1. A “member” is an individual or business who has met the qualifications for membership. A member must have an actual identity. Individuals or businesses that have stolen identity and have fraudulently created accounts under the guise of that, and if that actual individual or business is not a member, the fraudulent individual or business is not a member for purposes of this Policy.

2. “Member services” are defined as any products or services provided by or sponsored by CoastHills now or in the future or otherwise made available to CoastHills Credit Union members. Services include, but are not limited to: loans, deposit accounts, checking or share drafts, ATM services, online banking services, and other electronic fund transfer services.

3. “Membership Agreement” includes the CoastHills Truth in Savings Act (TISA) agreement, as well as any documents customarily provided to a prospective member at account opening that include terms and conditions of CoastHills membership and terms and conditions of the account being opened.
     
4. A “member in good standing” retains all the rights and privileges associated with CoastHills membership. 

5. A “member not in good standing” may be subject to both limitation of services and expulsion. A member may be considered a member not in good standing if they engage in conduct that triggers the “for cause” criteria, as defined above. Members not in good standing retain their right to attend, participate, and vote at the annual and special meetings of the members and maintain a share account.  

6. “For cause” relates to conduct by a member that provides grounds for limitation of services or member expulsion. Conduct that creates these grounds means a substantial or repeated violation of the CoastHills Membership Agreement; a substantial or repeated disruption, including dangerous or abusive behavior, to the operations of CoastHills (as defined below in “Dangerous or Abusive Behavior”); or fraud, attempted fraud, or conviction of other illegal conduct in relation to CoastHills, including CoastHills' employees conducting business on behalf of it.

7. “Dangerous or abusive behavior” includes the following: violence, intimidation, physical threats, harassment, or physical or verbal abuse of officials or employees of CoastHills, members, or agents of CoastHills. This only includes actions while on CoastHills premises or otherwise related to CoastHills activities, and through use of telephone, mail, email, or other electronic methods; behavior that causes or threatens damage to CoastHills property; or unauthorized use or access of CoastHills property.  

Examples include, but are not limited to, any of the following conduct:

• Any type of harassment, including age, sexual, ethnic, or racial harassment; making racial or ethnic slurs, engaging in sexual conduct; making sexual overtures
• Inappropriate touching
• Making sexual flirtations, advances or propositions; engaging in verbal abuse of a sexual, racial or ethnic nature; making graphic or degrading comments about an individual or his or her appearance
• Displaying sexually suggestive objects or pictures
• Fighting, kicking or other physical harm or attempted harm towards a CoastHills Credit Union member, employee, or volunteer engaged in Credit Union business. For example, engaging in offensive or abusive physical contact, or making false, vicious, or malicious statements about any Credit Union employee or volunteer or the Credit Union and its services, operations, policies, practices, or management
• Cursing or other abusive or vulgar language directed towards a Credit Union member, employee, or volunteer engaged in Credit Union business. For example, using profane, abusive, intimidating, or threatening language
• Bringing or possessing firearms or weapons or any hazardous or dangerous device on Credit Union premises or at a Credit Union function or on any Shared Branch network location
• Possession, sale, use, or being under the influence of an unlawful or unauthorized substance on Credit Union premises or at a Credit Union function or on any Shared Branch network location
• Attempting to coerce or interfere with a Credit Union employee or volunteer in the performance of their duties at any time
• Uncivil conduct or failure to maintain satisfactory or harmonious working relationships with other members, employees, and volunteers at the Credit Union
• Conducting or attempting to conduct or engage in any fraudulent, dishonest, or deceptive activity of any kind involving Credit Union employees or Credit Union service
• Appropriation or misappropriation of Credit Union funds, property, or other material proprietary to the Credit Union; immoral conduct or indecency on Credit Union premises
• Any other act which endangers the safety, health, or well-being of another person or which is of sufficient magnitude that causes disruption of business at the Credit Union

This list is not exhaustive and is used only as an example of types of behavior that may be viewed as “dangerous and abusive behavior” by the Credit Union.

Expulsion for Cause   
A member who has engaged in conduct that warrants expulsion under the “for cause” definition in Section III, above, may be expelled as provided for in the CoastHills Bylaws.
 
CoastHills may expel a member for cause, by either calling a special meeting of the members, provide the member the opportunity to be heard, and obtain a two-thirds vote of the members present at the special meeting to expel a member; or by a two-thirds vote of a quorum of the CoastHills Board of Directors.
 
If a member will be subject to expulsion, the member shall be notified in writing in advance, along with the reason for such expulsion. The notice must include, at minimum, (i) relevant dates, (ii) sufficient detail for the member to understand the grounds for expulsion, (iii) the member’s right to request a hearing, (iv) how to request a hearing, (v) the procedures related to the hearing, (vi) notification that, if a hearing is not requested, membership will terminate after 60 calendar days, and (vii) if applicable, a general statement on the effect of expulsion related to the member’s accounts or loans at the credit union. The notice cannot include only conclusory statements regarding the reason for the member’s expulsion.
 
A Member is not entitled to attend the hearing in person, but the member must be provided a meaningful opportunity to present the member’s case orally to the Board through a videoconference hearing or provide a written submission to the Board instead.
 
If a videoconference hearing is requested by member CoastHills will coordinate to facilitate hearing within 30 calendar days or at the beginning of the next meeting of the Board of Directors, whichever occurs first. If a member does not request a hearing or provide written submission, the member shall be expelled after the end of the 60-day period after receipt of the notice.
 
A Member expelled under this authority must be given an opportunity to require reinstatement of membership. The Credit Union may act on a reinstatement request through a majority vote of a quorum of the directors of the credit union. Members requesting reinstatement may do so by providing request in writing, along with any supporting documentation or reasoning to do so. Board of Director will vote on reinstatement within ninety (90) days of receipt from member. CoastHills is only required to hold a board vote or special meeting in response to a member’s first reinstatement request following expulsion.