What is an interchange fee?
A fee paid to the issuing bank of a debit or credit card program by the merchants that process debit or credit transactions. Interchange fees cover handling costs, fraud losses or other risks associated with approving debit/credit transactions.
What types of transactions count?
Any non-ATM transaction counts toward the program, including card-present transactions (swiped or chipped in stores), online, mail and phone purchases. Withdrawals, balance inquiries or transfers made at an ATM are not included.
If I have an existing SBSI Debit Card, will my card number change?
Yes, your card number will need to change to ensure that your eligible transactions are directed to the participating school program of your choice.
How does the SBSI Community Debit Card Program work?
You can use your Community Debit Card just like a traditional debit card. For every non-ATM transaction you make, we’ll donate a percentage of the interchange fee to your local school’s food and nutrition program. The cards are free and available at any branch location.
Where is my money going?
Each Community Debit Card benefits one of the six participating nutrition programs. Saco & Biddeford Savings donates a portion of interchange fees earned from qualifying annual card transactions according to the key below.
- Tiger Pride Card - Biddeford Public Schools nutrition program
- OOB Gulls Card – RSU23 (Old Orchard Beach) nutrition program
- Golden Trojans Card – Thornton Academy and Saco Public Schools nutrition programs
- Red Storm Card – Scarborough Public Schools nutrition program
- Red Riots Card – South Portland Public Schools nutrition program
- Blue Blazes Card – Westbrook Public Schools nutrition program
How do I get my card? Does it cost me anything?
You can get your Community Debit Card at any of our branch locations. We’ll print your new card instantly at no cost to you!
Can I have more than one card on my account to help multiple schools?
Saco & Biddeford Savings does not typically issue more than one card to the same customer on an individual account, both for customer security and bank liability reasons. However, if you have multiple Checking Accounts with us, you can have a different school issued for each account. Each account owner can select their own card design.
I have a Community Card. Why doesn’t my school’s logo show on the card in my Mobile Wallet?
At this time, the individual school logos cannot be added to Mobile Wallets. The card will instead appear with our standard green logo design. However, your Community Card will still work with each of the apps, and any qualifying purchases via Mobile Wallets will still count toward your school program.
