Wells Fargo Overdraft Fees and How To Avoid Them
Written by
Rudri Bhatt Patel, CFHC™
Edited by
Elizabeth Constantineau, CFHC™
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Overdraft fees can quickly add up and become a financial headache if you’re not careful. At Wells Fargo, the standard overdraft fee is $35 per item, with up to three fees charged per business day. The good news? You can reduce or avoid these fees by setting up alerts or linking a savings account. Here’s what to know about Wells Fargo overdraft fees and how to stay ahead of them.
Current Wells Fargo Overdraft Fees
Wells Fargo, like many banks, has specific fees and policies for handling overdrafts. Here’s what you need to know:
| Fee Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard overdraft fee | $35 per item — up to 3 fees per day |
| Overdraft protection transfer fee | Free for linked accounts |
| Grace period policy | Extra Day Grace Period gives you an additional business day to make deposits |
| Maximum daily overdraft fee | -Up to 3 for consumer accounts -Up to 4 for business accounts |
| Overdraft coverage for debit cards | Optional enrollment required |
3 Wells Fargo Overdraft Protection Options
Wells Fargo offers multiple overdraft protection services that help cover transactions and minimize fees.
1. Savings Overdraft Protection Transfer
- How it works: Link an eligible Wells Fargo savings account to your checking account. Funds will transfer automatically if needed.
- Fee: Free
- Good to know: The transfer covers the exact amount needed, reducing excess transfers and unnecessary fees.
2. Line of Credit Overdraft Protection
- How it works: Link an eligible line of credit to your checking account. Funds are advanced to cover any overdraft charges.
- Fee: Free, though interest may apply on the advanced amount.
3. Credit Card Overdraft Protection
- How it works: Link a Wells Fargo credit card to your checking account. The overdraft will be covered using available credit.
- Fee: Free, but interest may apply on the amount transferred.
How To Avoid Wells Fargo Overdraft Fees
Managing your account wisely can help you avoid overdraft charges. Here are five effective strategies:
Use the Extra Day Grace Period
Wells Fargo provides an Extra Day Grace Period for covering overdrafts. If you make a qualifying deposit before midnight EST on the next business day, you can avoid the overdraft fee.
Eligible deposits include direct deposits, cash deposits, wire transfers and transfers from another Wells Fargo account.
Set Up Low Balance Alerts
Enable balance alerts via the Wells Fargo app or online banking. Get notified when your balance drops below a set amount, allowing you to act quickly and avoid an overdraft.
Opt for Clear Access Banking
This checking account option avoids overdraft fees by declining transactions that exceed the available balance. No checks are issued with this account, and transactions are primarily conducted via debit cards.
Consider Early Pay Day
Receive your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit. This can help cover any pending transactions and avoid fees.
Request a Fee Waiver
If you’ve been charged an overdraft fee, consider contacting Wells Fargo customer service. First-time fee forgiveness may be available for loyal customers.
Pro Tip
Always double-check your account balances and upcoming payments to stay ahead of potential overdrafts.
Wells Fargo vs. Other Banks’ Overdraft Fees
Here’s how Wells Fargo compares to other bank overdraft fees:
| Bank | Overdraft Fee | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo | -$35 per item -Up to 3 per day |
-No fee if the overdraft is $10 or less -Applies when both ending daily balance and available balance are overdrawn by $10 or less |
| Chase | -$34 per item -Up to 3 per day |
-No overdraft fee on transactions of $5 or less -Overdraft Assist* may waive fee if end-of‐day overdraft is $50 or less or account is brought to that level by the next business day |
| Bank of America, Member FDIC | -$10 per item -Up to 2 per day |
-No fee if the account is overdrawn by $1 or less -No fee on individual transactions of $1 or less |
Account Habits That Can Help You Avoid Fees
If you’d rather avoid overdraft protection altogether, there are other ways to manage your account and prevent fees:
- Use budgeting tools: Budgeting apps and built-in bank tools can help you track your balance and spot shortfalls before they happen.
- Keep a small balance cushion: Maintaining a modest buffer in your checking account can help absorb timing issues from deposits and payments.
- Consider fee-free or overdraft-free banks: Many online banks and neobanks don’t charge overdraft fees at all.
Final Take
Overdraft fees can be a financial setback, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can avoid unnecessary costs. By setting up overdraft protection, using balance alerts and taking advantage of the Extra Day Grace Period, Wells Fargo customers can better manage their finances.
For long-term strategies, consider choosing fee-free account options like Clear Access Banking. And if you’re ever unsure about a fee, don’t hesitate to ask for an explanation or a waiver.
FAQs About Wells Fargo Overdraft Fees
Here are some of the common questions and concerns that might pop up around Wells Fargo overdrafts:- How can I avoid overdraft fees at Wells Fargo?
- You can avoid Wells Fargo overdrafts by using low balance alerts and linking your checking account to a savings account.
- How many overdraft fees can Wells Fargo charge in one day?
- You can have up to three overdraft fees per business day.
- Is there a grace period for Wells Fargo overdraft?
- Wells Fargo has an Extra Day Grace Period and according to the website, you can avoid the overdraft fees if your available balance is positive as of 11:59 PM EST the next business day.
- What happens if I have a negative balance on my Wells Fargo debit card?
- Purchases may be declined and if you've opted out of overdraft protection, you will be charged an overdraft fee.
More on Wells Fargo
- Wells Fargo Review
- Wells Fargo Hours
- Wells Fargo Bonus Offers
- How To Avoid Wells Fargo Fees
- Wells Fargo ATM Limits
Virginia Anderson and Cynthia Measom contributed to the reporting for this article.
Information is accurate as of Dec. 31, 2025.
*With Chase Overdraft AssistSM, Chase won’t charge an insufficient funds fee if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day, or if you’re overdrawn by more than $50 and you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day (you have until 11 p.m. ET, or 8 p.m. PT, to make a deposit or transfer). Chase Overdraft Assist does not require enrollment and comes with eligible Chase checking accounts.
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- Wells Fargo "website"
- Wells Fargo "Overdraft Protection"
- Wells Fargo "Overdraft Services for Personal Accounts"
- Wells Fargo "Clear Access Banking"
