I do think that being in a smaller city is benificial as it doesn't take as long to find out if funds are not available. Any cheque that I have that has been put on hold is usually removed after 3 days. The family that did give me 2 NSF cheques was also very quickly that I found out.

My husbands child support cheques which are cashed 2 provinces away clear our account the day after she cashed them.

My bank also doesn't charge me any fee for NSF, only if I was to write one but not if I get one. I still charge my families $30 if they write me one. Luckily it was only the one family.