Texas Dow Employees Credit Union
14 cardholder agreements · 6.3 MB
- Starting score100
- Forced arbitration (opt-out available)-12
- Class-action waiver-12
- Penalty APR-6
- Fair Terms score70 · grade B
See the exact wording behind each below.
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You can opt out of this issuer's forced arbitration
Texas Dow Employees Credit Union's agreement lets you reject arbitration and keep your right to sue — usually within a short window after opening the account. You have to send it in writing. Here's the language from the filed agreement:
“…fully enforceable. Survival: This Arbitration Agreement shall survive termination of the Agreement. Right to Opt-Out: You have the right to opt out of this Arbitration Agreement, provided you notify TDECU of your intent to do so within sixty (60) days after it is provided to you. Your opt-out is only effective if you notify TDECU in writing at TDECU, 1001 FM 2004, Attention: Compliance, Lake Jackson, TX 77566 within such sixty (60) day time period. Your letter must include your name, your member number, the date, and a statement that you are electing to opt-out of this Arbitration Agreement and Waiver of Class Action. If you fail to opt-out within this sixty (60) day time-frame, you shall be deemed to have consented to the resolution of your Claims through binding arbitration. In the event you opt-out, it will not affect other terms and conditions of this Agreement or your relationship w…”
Read the exact mailing address in the clause above, then use our opt-out letter template and full guide →
Contract X-Ray — what's buried in the fine print
3 red flags · 13 filed docsDetected in the CFPB-filed cardholder agreements from Texas Dow Employees Credit Union. Verbatim quotes below — CardSleuth flags the language; this isn't legal advice.
You give up your right to sue in court — disputes are pushed into private arbitration.
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“…services financed under your Account, or the terms of financing; the application, enforceability or interpretation of this Agreement, including this arbitration provision; and any other matters relating to your Account (hereafter referred to as the Claims ). If that cannot be done, then you agree that any and all Claim…”
You can't band together with other cardholders in a class action.
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“…then you agree that any and all Claims that are threatened, made, filed or initiated after the Effective Date (defined below) of this Arbitration and Waiver of Class Action provision ( Arbitration Agreement ), even if the Claims arise out of, affect or relate to conduct that occurred prior to the Effective Date, w…”
Slip up and your rate can jump to a much higher penalty APR.
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“…based on the Prime Rate. APR for Cash Mastercard Buc-ees Platinum 13.49%-17.99% Advances This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Penalty APR and 17.99%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. When it Applies We may apply the Penalty APR to your account if you: Fail to…”
“…e market based on the Prime Rate. APR for Cash Business Mastercard 14.49%-17.99% Advances This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Penalty APR and 17.99%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. When it Applies We may apply the Penalty APR to your account if you: Fail to…”
“…the market based on the Prime Rate. APR for Cash Classic Mastercard 9.49%-17.99% Advances This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Penalty APR and 17.99%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. When it Applies We may apply the Penalty APR to your account if you: Fail to…”
The contract lets you reject arbitration (usually within a short deadline) and keep your right to sue.
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“…ll remain fully enforceable. Survival: This Arbitration Agreement shall survive termination of the Agreement. Right to Opt-Out: You have the right to opt out of this Arbitration Agreement, provided you notify TDECU of your intent to do so within sixty (60) days after it is provided to you. Your opt-out is only effective if…”
Checked & clear: Jury-trial waiver · Deferred interest · Change-anytime clause
Cardholder agreements
Filed with the CFPB in the 2026 Q1 bulk submission. Opens the original PDF.