Bank of America's overdraft fees as of now
Bank of America charges $35 per overdraft on most checking accounts. This fee applies each time your account goes negative, whether the overdraft happens at an ATM, through a debit card transaction, or via check. The fee posts to your account within one to two business days of the overdraft.
Bank of America also charges an extended overdraft fee of $35 if your account stays overdrawn for more than five consecutive business days. This is a separate charge from the initial overdraft fee, so you could owe $70 total if you don't bring your balance positive within that window.
The bank does not charge overdraft fees on ACH transfers (electronic payments to other accounts) or on transfers between your own Bank of America accounts. Wire transfers also do not trigger overdraft fees, though the bank may decline the wire if funds are insufficient.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America charges $35 for each overdraft transaction, plus a second $35 fee if the account stays negative for more than five business days.
- The overdraft fee applies to debit card purchases, ATM withdrawals, and checks, but not to ACH transfers or internal account-to-account moves.
- Bank of America offers overdraft protection through linked savings accounts or lines of credit, which can prevent overdraft fees entirely.
- The bank allows up to four overdraft fees per day, meaning you could face multiple $35 charges in a single day if several transactions post at once.
How overdraft fees stack up in a single day
Bank of America limits overdraft fees to four per day, even if more than four transactions overdraw your account. This means the maximum you can owe in overdraft fees on a single day is $140 (four fees × $35 each), plus the extended overdraft fee if your balance stays negative past five business days.
The timing matters because transactions don't always post in the order you made them. The bank processes transactions in its own order, which can cause multiple overdrafts even if you thought you had enough to cover everything. For example, if you have $50 in your account and a $100 check posts before a $30 debit card transaction, you'll be charged for both overdrafts.
If you go into overdraft on a Friday, the five-business-day clock starts then. The extended overdraft fee would post on Thursday of the following week if your account is still negative. Weekends and bank holidays don't count toward the five-day window.
Overdraft protection as an alternative to fees
Bank of America offers overdraft protection, which links your checking account to either a savings account or a line of credit. When a transaction would overdraw your checking account, the bank automatically transfers funds from the linked account instead, preventing the overdraft fee.
If you link a savings account, transfers happen in $100 increments (or the full amount needed, whichever is smaller). The bank charges $10 per transfer, which is less than the $35 overdraft fee, but only if you actually use the protection. If you link a line of credit, the bank charges interest on the borrowed amount rather than a flat fee.
You can set up overdraft protection through your Bank of America online account or by visiting a branch. The protection is optional — if you don't turn it on, the standard $35 overdraft fee applies instead.
What happens if you don't pay the overdraft
If your account stays overdrawn and you don't deposit funds to cover it, Bank of America will eventually close your account. The bank typically closes accounts that remain negative for 60 days or more, though this varies by situation. Before closing, the bank may try to contact you about the negative balance.
Once your account is closed due to overdraft, the bank reports it to ChexSystems, a banking history database. This report can make it harder to open a new checking account at other banks for up to five years. You'll also still owe the original overdrawn amount plus any fees that posted.
If you have an overdrawn account at Bank of America, contact the bank as soon as possible to discuss options. The bank sometimes waives overdraft fees for customers with good history, though this is not may provide and depends on your account standing.
Comparing Bank of America's fees to other banks
Bank of America's $35 overdraft fee is standard among large national banks. Wells Fargo, Chase, and Citibank all charge $35 per overdraft on most checking accounts. Some regional banks and credit unions charge less — typically $25 to $30 — while a few online banks charge nothing at all or offer accounts with no overdraft fees by design.
The extended overdraft fee is where Bank of America's structure differs. Some banks charge this fee after three business days instead of five, while others don't charge it at all. A few banks cap the total overdraft fees you can owe in a month, usually at $140 to $175, while Bank of America does not.
If overdraft fees are a recurring problem for you, switching to a bank with lower fees or no overdraft fees might save money over time. Online banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Chime often have more lenient overdraft policies or don't charge overdraft fees at all.
How to avoid overdraft fees at Bank of America
The most direct way to avoid overdraft fees is to keep a buffer in your account — money you don't spend that sits there to cover unexpected transactions or timing gaps. Even $100 to $200 can prevent most overdrafts. Set up account alerts through your Bank of America app to notify you when your balance drops below a certain amount, like $500 or $1,000.
Link a savings account for overdraft protection, as described above. This costs $10 per transfer if you use it, but that's still less than the $35 overdraft fee. Alternatively, set up automatic transfers from savings to checking on a regular schedule — say, the first of each month — so your checking account always has a cushion.
Review your spending and transaction timing. If you know a large bill is coming, deposit funds a few days early to make sure it clears without overdrawing. Turn off debit card transactions if you're worried about overspending, and use your debit card only for planned purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Bank of America waive an overdraft fee I already paid?
Bank of America sometimes waives overdraft fees for customers with good account history, but this is not may provide. Call the bank and ask to speak with a representative about your specific situation. Having a long account history and few previous overdrafts makes a waiver more likely, though the bank has final say.
Does Bank of America charge overdraft fees on debit card transactions at other banks' ATMs?
Bank of America charges the $35 overdraft fee if a debit card transaction at another bank's ATM overdrafts your account. However, the other bank may also charge its own ATM fee (typically $2 to $3) on top of that. Using Bank of America ATMs or in-network ATMs avoids the second fee.
What's the difference between overdraft fees and NSF fees?
Bank of America charges an overdraft fee when a transaction posts and your account goes negative. An NSF (non-sufficient funds) fee would apply if a check or ACH transfer is declined because there aren't enough funds. Bank of America does not charge NSF fees; instead, it allows the overdraft and charges the overdraft fee.
If I have multiple Bank of America accounts, do overdraft fees apply to each one separately?
Yes, each account is treated separately for overdraft fees. If you overdraft your checking account, you're charged $35 for that account. If you also overdraft a savings account on the same day, that's a separate $35 fee. Overdraft protection can link accounts together, but without it, fees apply per account.
How long does it take for an overdraft fee to post after I overdraft?
Bank of America typically posts the overdraft fee within one to two business days of the transaction that caused the overdraft. The extended overdraft fee (if applicable) posts on the sixth business day if your account is still negative. Fees post even on weekends and holidays, though the posting date may be delayed until the next business day.