Bank of America Overdraft Fees: What To Know in 2026
Written by
Sarah Sharkey
Edited by
Nupur Gambhir, CFHC™
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Bank of America charges a $10 overdraft fee per transaction, with a maximum of two fees per day — meaning you could be hit with up to $20 in a single day if your account goes negative. The good news: the bank offers several options to help you avoid these charges altogether, from overdraft protection to automatic transaction declines. Here’s what you need to know to keep fees from eating into your budget.
Current Bank of America Overdraft Fees and Policies
Overdraft fees have a way of sneaking up on you — one forgotten bill or miscalculated balance and suddenly you’re paying extra just for spending money you didn’t quite have. At Bank of America, that fee is $10 per transaction (for any transaction over $1), and while the bank caps it at two fees per day, a $20 hit is still $20 you didn’t plan on losing.
The good news is that overdraft fees are largely avoidable once you understand how they work. Use the table below as a quick reference for Bank of America’s current fees and policies — then read on to learn how to make sure you never pay them.
| Fee Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard overdraft fee | $10 per transaction, up to two fees per day |
| Overdraft protection transfer fee | N/A |
| Non-sufficient funds fee | N/A |
| Overdraft rewind/refund policy | Overdraft fee refunds are considered on a case-by-case basis |
| Maximum daily overdraft fees | Two |
| Overdraft coverage for debit cards | Overdraft protection is available when you link an eligible checking account |
How To Avoid Overdraft Fees at Bank of America
Not all transactions work the same way when your balance runs low. If you try to make an everyday debit card purchase or ATM withdrawal without enough funds, Bank of America will simply decline it — no fee, just an awkward moment at the register.
Where it gets trickier is with checks, recurring bill payments, and scheduled debit transactions. These can go through even when your balance can’t cover them, which is when that $10 fee kicks in.
A few simple steps can keep you from getting caught off guard:
Step-by-Step Guide
- Check your account balance. Before using an ATM or writing a check, log in to your account and view the current balance. Continue with your transaction after you’ve verified that you have enough money in your account.
- Build a checking account buffer. Save up an amount, such as $100, to always keep in your account. Never touch this money or count on it to pay your bills. If you accidentally charge a little over what you thought you had in the account, you’ll pay it from your buffer instead of generating an overdraft fee.
- Set up balance alerts. You can opt to get notified when your balance drops below a certain level. This can help you avoid spending more than you can afford.
- Sign up for Bank of America overdraft protection. Bank of America offers Balance Connect® overdraft services that provide overdraft protection by linking your checking account to up to five other Bank of America accounts. This ensures that the bank will withdraw the difference from your linked account if you make a transaction that’s larger than your balance.
- Pay with a different account. Don’t risk incurring an overdraft fee if you know your checking account balance is running low. Instead, pay with funds from a savings account or use a credit card.
Another way to avoid overdraft fees is using the Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking® account. This no-frills checking account has no overdraft fee. Transactions will be declined or returned unpaid if you have insufficient funds in your account. However, the account does charge a monthly fee unless you meet the requirements to waive it.
Don’t Let Overdraft Fees Drain Your Account
Stay on top of your bank balances and what you’re spending to avoid Bank of America overdraft fees. Insufficient funds can really take a bite out of your budget. The bank can charge you as much as $20 per day when your account goes into the negative, which is the daily limit of two overdrafts of $10 each.
Bank of America Overdraft Protection Options
When you enroll in Balance Connect, a transaction that would have resulted in an overdraft will use funds from an eligible linked backup account instead. The downside is that the funds will be pulled from your other bank account, which might disrupt your budget if you accidentally overspend.
If you want to avoid the possibility of overdraft fees altogether, consider opening a Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking account, which doesn’t come with any fees attached.
Bank of America Allows You To Determine Your Overdraft Options
If you have a Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking® or Advantage Relationship Banking® account, you can choose between two overdraft settings:
- Standard. Bank of America may cover checks or scheduled payments even if your account doesn’t have enough funds — but you’ll be charged $10 per overdraft, up to two per day ($20 maximum).
- Decline All. Bank of America automatically rejects any transaction that would overdraw your account, so you won’t face overdraft fees from the bank. Keep in mind, though, that the merchant you were paying may still charge a returned item fee and could retry the transaction later.
The Decline All option is your safest bet if you’re worried about overdrafts. Either way, the best way to avoid unnecessary fees is to monitor your account balance and keep enough money to pay outstanding items. Knowing what upcoming charges will hit your account makes you less likely to encounter problems.
Take Control of Your Account Before Fees Do
Bank of America gives you real tools to avoid overdraft fees — you just need to use them. Take a few minutes to review your overdraft settings and pick the option that fits how you manage your money. A little proactive planning now can save you from unnecessary charges down the road.
FAQ
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about Bank of America overdraft fees and policies.- Can I get my overdraft fee refunded?
- Bank of America customers can request a refund for overdraft fees. But requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and might not lead to a refund.
- Does Bank of America allow overdrafts on debit card purchases?
- Yes, Bank of America allows overdrafts on debit card purchases from most accounts. But if you have a Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking account, you cannot overdraft through a debit card purchase.
- How can I dispute an overdraft fee?
- Even when you are at fault, getting an overdraft fee refund might be possible. Bank of America customers can call their local branch and politely ask to have the fee waived. This method works best if you're not a repeat offender. Another option is to speak with a customer service representative at 800-432-1000.
- Keep in mind that Bank of America does not have to comply with your request. If Bank of America refuses to refund the overdraft fee, make sure you understand what caused you to overdraw your account to prevent similar problems in the future.
More About Bank of America
- Bank of America Review
- Bank of America CD Rates
- Bank of America Savings Account Interest Rates
- Bank of America Hours
- Bank of America ATM Limits
Virginia Anderson, Alicia Bodine and Cynthia Bowman contributed to the reporting for this article.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
