Common use of End User Accounts Clause in Contracts

End User Accounts. A. Deposits 1. The Company may, in order to safeguard its interests, require an applicant or a customer to make a suitable deposit to be held by the Company as a guarantee of the payment of charges. A deposit would be requested where (a) satisfactory credit has not been established either by not having had previous service or through unsatisfactory payment habits on present or previous service; (b) information has not been initially produced indicating financial stability and ability to pay; or subsequent information indicates the lack of good credit or ability to pay. The amount of the deposit generally shall not exceed the estimated charges for the service which will accrue for a two-month period. The fact that a deposit has been made in no way relieves the applicant or customer from complying with the Company's regulations as to advance payments and the prompt payment of bills on presentation. The Company shall each year pay interest on such deposit at the rate paid by the Bank of North Dakota on a six- month certificate of deposit. Such rate will be determined as of the first business day of each year, on a six-month certificate of deposit with the smallest deposit required. The interest shall be applied as a credit to the subscriber's account annually. When the service is terminated the amount of the deposit with any interest due will be credited to the customer's account and any credit balance which may remain will be refunded. After the customer has established satisfactory credit through prompt payment habits over generally a nine to twelve month period of time the Company will refund the deposit with interest or credit it to the customer's account. B. Advance Payments 1. In accordance with the Company's practice of requiring that all regularly recurring rates for services, equipment, and facilities be paid monthly in advance, an applicant for service will be required to pay in advance at the time application for service is made, the service and equipment and installation charges applicable, together with at least one month's charges for the services, equipment, and facilities applied for, and, where necessary, in the opinion of the Company, the estimated amount of construction charges. 2. The amount of the advance payment will be credited to the customer's account and applied to any indebtedness under the contract for service, equipment, and facilities furnished, and for service charges.