A $700,000 class action settlement has been reached with Drummond Community Bank, now operating as Seacoast National Bank, over allegations that customers were improperly charged overdraft and returned item fees.
If you were a customer between November 24, 2018, and February 11, 2023, you may be entitled to a cash payment or debt forgiveness from the settlement fund.
Why Is There a Drummond Community Bank Settlement?
The lawsuit, Lewis v. Drummond Community Bank, claimed the bank violated consumer protections by:
- Charging $36 overdraft fees on one-time debit card purchases that were approved when the account showed a positive balance but later posted as negative (known as APSN fees).
- Charging multiple $36 “retry” fees when a declined check or automated clearing house (ACH) transaction was re-presented.
While Drummond denied wrongdoing, it agreed to settle to avoid ongoing litigation costs.
Who Is Eligible for the $700,000 Bank Fee Settlement?
You may qualify if:
- You held a consumer account (not a business account).
- Drummond charged you at least one of the challenged fees between Nov. 24, 2018, and Feb. 11, 2023.
- You received a postcard or email notice confirming you are part of the settlement.
If your account is closed, the settlement may still apply — with possible debt forgiveness for balances tied to the disputed fees.
How Much Will Customers Receive?
Payments will be calculated using a pro rata formula based on how much in fees you were charged compared to other class members.
The formula is:
(Your total challenged fees ÷ Total challenged fees paid by all class members) × Net settlement fund
Key points:
- Payouts cannot exceed the total amount you were charged.
- Attorneys’ fees and costs will be deducted from the $700,000 fund before payments are issued.
- If you had a closed account with unpaid fees, those amounts may be forgiven.
Do Customers Need to File a Claim?
No. If you are eligible, your payment or account credit will be issued automatically. The settlement administrator already has customer records from Drummond Community Bank.
However, if your address has changed since you held an account, you should update your details with the administrator to avoid missing your payment.
Settlement administrator contact:
Lewis v. Drummond Community Bank Settlement
P.O. Box 301130, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1130
Phone: 888-777-6381
Email: admin@LewisBankFeesSettlement.com
Breakdown of the $700,000 Settlement
The settlement fund will be used to cover:
- Settlement administration costs
- Attorneys’ fees (up to one-third of the settlement, subject to court approval)
- Service award to the class representative (up to $5,000)
- Cash payments to eligible class members
- Debt forgiveness on closed accounts, valued separately at $700,000
Important Dates for the Drummond Bank Settlement
- Opt-out (exclusion) deadline: October 18, 2025
- Final approval hearing: November 17, 2025
- Payout date: Payments will be distributed after final approval and resolution of any appeals.
The Drummond Community Bank $700,000 fee settlement provides relief to customers who were impacted by overdraft and returned item fees between 2018 and 2023. With automatic eligibility, no claims required, and potential debt forgiveness on closed accounts, this settlement ensures affected customers will see compensation once the court gives final approval.
If you received notice, keep your contact information updated with the settlement administrator to ensure you receive your payment.
