Bank of the West Premier Checking Account

A combined monthly balance is an average monthly balance you keep across one or more bank accounts with the same institution.

In the case of the Bank of the West Premier Checking account, a combined average monthly balance to have the $25 monthly fee waived, should be at least $25,000.

To have the $25 monthly fee on the Bank of the West Premier Checking account waived, you should keep $25,000 or more each month in your Bank of the West Premier Checking and any other eligible Bank of the West bank account(s). The eligible accounts include personal Bank of the West checking, money market, savings, CDs, and IRAs. Also eligible are BancWest Investment Services investment accounts.

Using your complimentary Cash Back World Mastercard credit card for your daily purchases, you can earn up to 3% cash back. Cashback rewards are based on net purchases (purchases minus credit, returns, and adjustments).

You'll earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent using your Bank of the West Cash Back World Mastercard credit card. You'll earn an additional 2%, totaling 3% cash back, on eligible purchases, including groceries, dining, and gas. The gas category, though, i.e. purchases made at service stations and automated fuel dispensers, is limited in that you'll earn 3% cash back on the first $1,500 spent on gas each calendar quarter (3 months), after which you'll go back to earning 1% again.

In addition to cashback rewards, the Bank of the West Cash Back World Mastercard credit card comes with a range of Bank of the West and Cash Back World benefits, including:

• 0% APR for 12 months on Purchases, then 15.99% - 22.99% variable APR,
• Concierge and travel services,
• 24/7 fraud monitoring,
• Identity theft resolution,
• Zero liability for unauthorized transactions,
• Emergency card replacement,
• 24/7 Online Card Management.

You can redeem your cashback rewards whenever you want, in $25 increments for a statement credit or direct deposit to any checking or savings account you may have with Bank of the West (probably the Premier one in this case). You can submit your request at the Bank of the West website. If you want to request a statement credit, you can also contact the Bank of the West Rewards Department at 866-791-4106 (or TTY 800-659-5495)

To be able to redeem your cashback rewards, your account must be in good standing. Your rewards won't expire if your account is in good standing as well.

Bank of the West offers different overdraft protection options. You can choose to have a savings, money market or Gold Line account linked to your Premier Checking account for overdraft protection. 

1. Gold Line Account

• The Gold Line account is a line of credit that you can use to link to your Premier Checking for overdraft protection. Transactions covered include checks, ATM withdrawals, ACH and automatic electronic payments, everyday debit card purchases, recurring debit card transactions, and other checking account transactions. Even though there's a loan transfer fee that applies for each transfer ($12), including a 19.9% APR on loan advances, and a $24 annual fee, discounts and/or annual fee waivers might be available for Premier Checking account customers. Credit check is required for the Gold Line Account.

2. Savings Overdraft Protection

• If you have a Bank of the West savings account or money market account, you can link it to your Premier Checking. Transactions covered include checks, recurring debit card transactions, ACH, and automatic electronic payments presented at the end of each banking day. Bank of the West Premier Checking account customers benefit from overdraft transfer fee waivers with this overdraft protection plan.

As a Bank of the West Premier Checking customer, you won't pay any annual fees if you rent the smallest safe deposit box. If, however, you wish to rent a bigger safe deposit box, you'll receive a $40 discount. There's aren't any safe deposit box set-up fees for Premier Checking account customers.

As a Bank of the West Premier Checking Account customer, you will have free access to all Bank of the West ATMs. Additionally, you will also never be charged any Bank of the West fees when using out-of-network ATMs for balance inquiries, money transfers, and withdrawals. In case you withdraw funds from a non-Bank of the West ATM, and the owner charges you a fee, Bank of the West will refund you the amount within 1 business day. Do note that other fees, such as foreign transaction fees, may still apply, and these aren't refunded.

When you open a Bank of the West Premier Checking account, you'll receive a complimentary Mastercard debit card you can use anywhere Mastercard is accepted. As a Premier Checking customer, you'll enjoy higher dollar limits, and free ATM withdrawals worldwide.

The Bank of the West Mastercard debit card comes with a range of benefits thanks to which you'll be able to shop safely, including:

• Mastercard Zero Liability Policy: protects you against unauthorized transactions, provided that you can prove you've done your best to prevent debit card loss or theft, and that you report the loss or theft of your Mastercard debit card to Bank of the West as soon as it happens.
• Mastercard ID Theft Protection: if you believe you've been a victim of identity theft, contact 1-800-Mastercard. The Mastercard ID Theft Protection services also include Online Monitoring Dashboard (requires activation), Monthly Risk Alert / Newsletter, Identity Monitoring, Resolution Services, Lost Wallet Assistance, Single Bureau Credit Monitoring, Financial Account Takeover, and URL and Domain Monitoring.
• Extended Warranty.
• Satisfaction Guarantee.

As a Premier Checking account customer, you can receive interest rate loan discounts on eligible consumer loans and lines of credit. However, the precise information is not available, and to learn more about eligible products and current rates, you'll need to contact Bank of the West Convenience Banking Team (844) 2GO-WEST, Option 4 or see your local branch banker.