In 1981, a group of California credit unions combined their resources to create an ATM network called the CO-OP Network. The basic intent was to allow members from these participating credit unions to provide surcharge-free ATM service to their members. Today there are over 25,000 ATMs, including over 5,500 7-Eleven locations, for members to access nationwide. It is the largest credit union ATM network in the United States.

What does it mean to you?
When you use a Farmers Insurance Group Federal Credit Union ATM or Debit Card at any of the 25,000+ CO-OP ATMs around the country, you pay no surcharge fee!

What is the difference between a transaction fee and a surcharge fee?

Most consumers think there is only one ATM fee. However, there are typically two fees associated with every ATM transaction. In many cases, one or both of these fees are automatically waived, but there are some exceptions.

The first fee is known as an ATM Surcharge Fee. This fee is imposed by the owner of the ATM. So if you're using an ATM that doesn't belong to your financial institution, you may be subject to a surcharge. This surcharge is typically between $1 to $3. For example, if you use your Farmers Insurance Group FCU ATM Card at a Bank of America ATM, Bank of America will charge you a fee for using their ATM.

This surcharge fee can also be charged at machines you may not typically think of as ATM machines. For example, some gas stations allow you to use your ATM card at the pump. For the convenience of using your ATM Card, there is a surcharge added to your final amount. Typically this is between $0.25 and $0.50. Since the amount is small, you may not notice it. But if you take a closer look at your receipt, you'll see a small charge added to the bottom of your receipt.

To help avoid surcharge fees when using your Farmers Insurance Group FCU ATM or Check Card, you should always try to do your transactions at a CO-OP network ATM. click here .

The second fee is typically known as an institution's transaction fee. This fee is imposed by the financial institution that issues your ATM or Check Card. Each financial institution sets its own policy and fee structure on this transaction fee – so usage terms and fee amounts can vary significantly from institution to institution.

For instance, suppose you have a Bank of Florida Check Card and make a withdrawal at an ATM owned by First Federal Bank. Bank of Florida has a transaction fee of $1 for every withdrawal made with their Check Cards at ATMs that don't belong to them. First Federal Bank also has a surcharge of $2 for every ATM transaction done by another financial institution's customer.

In this case, the consumer would pay a total of $3 in fees for one withdrawal. Bank of Florida would charge $1 for allowing their customer to make a transaction at an ATM not owned by them. First Federal Bank would charge $2 because the individual is using their ATM that isn't one of their customers.

To find the closest CO-OP ATM near you,
simply call 800-782.9042 or
click here to visit the CO-OP ATM web site.