Bank of America allows overdrafts on checking accounts, but charges a fee each time your balance goes below zero

Yes, you can overdraw your Bank of America checking account. When you spend more than you have, the bank will cover the transaction and charge you an overdraft fee. This is not automatic protection — it is a service Bank of America offers, and you can turn it off if you want to decline it.

Bank of America's overdraft fee is $35 per transaction as of this writing, though this amount can change. The fee applies each time a transaction pushes your account negative, so multiple overdrafts in one day can result in multiple fees. The bank also charges a sustained overdraft fee of $35 if your account stays negative for more than five business days.

You have the option to opt out of overdraft coverage entirely. If you do, transactions that would overdraw your account will simply be declined at the point of sale or ATM. This prevents fees but also means your debit card or check may not go through.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America charges $35 each time a transaction overdrafts your account, and another $35 if the negative balance lasts more than five business days.
  • You can turn off overdraft coverage so transactions decline instead of overdrawing, which prevents fees but also stops the purchase.
  • Overdraft fees apply to debit card purchases, checks, ACH transfers, and ATM withdrawals — any transaction type can trigger one.
  • The bank will not automatically reverse overdraft fees, but you can contact them to request a reversal if this is your first offense or if the fee was caused by a bank error.

Which transactions can cause an overdraft

Almost any transaction can overdraw your account: debit card purchases, ATM withdrawals, checks you write, automatic bill payments, and ACH transfers all count. The transaction does not have to be large — even a $1 purchase can trigger a $35 overdraft fee if your balance is zero.

Pending transactions complicate this. When you swipe your debit card, the purchase may show as pending for a day or two before it actually clears. During that time, your available balance (what the bank says you can spend) may be lower than your current balance (what you actually have). Bank of America calculates overdrafts against your current balance, not your available balance, so a pending transaction can cause an overdraft even if you thought you had enough money.

Online bill payments and transfers to other banks typically process within one to three business days. If you schedule a payment but do not account for the delay, you may overdraft before the money leaves your account.

How to turn off overdraft coverage

You can opt out of overdraft protection by calling Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 or by visiting a branch in person. Online, you can manage overdraft settings through your account settings in the mobile app or website, though the exact path depends on your account type.

Once you opt out, transactions that would overdraw your account will be declined. This means your debit card will not work, your check will bounce, and your automatic payment will fail — but you will not pay an overdraft fee. The merchant or payee will see the transaction as declined, and you will need to find another way to pay or wait until your balance is positive.

Opting out does not affect overdraft protection linked to a savings account or credit card, if you have set those up. Those are separate services and require separate changes.

Overdraft fees and how they stack up

Each overdraft transaction costs $35. If you make five purchases while your account is negative, you will pay $35 five times — $175 total — even if the purchases are small. The bank also charges a sustained overdraft fee of $35 if your account remains negative for more than five consecutive business days.

This means a single mistake can become expensive quickly. A $50 overdraft can cost $70 after one fee, and $105 if it stays negative for six days. The fees themselves can push your balance deeper into the red, triggering more fees.

Bank of America does not waive overdraft fees automatically, but you can request a reversal. Call the bank or visit a branch and explain the situation. The bank is more likely to reverse a fee if it is your first overdraft, if the overdraft was caused by a bank error, or if you have been a customer for a long time with a good history. There is no may provide, but asking costs nothing.

How to recover from an overdraft

The fastest way out is to deposit money into your account. Once your balance is positive, no new overdraft fees will be charged. Existing fees will not disappear, but they will not grow.

If you cannot deposit money immediately, contact your bank. Explain your situation and ask whether the bank will reverse the overdraft fee as a courtesy. Some banks offer a one-time reversal per year for customers in good standing.

If the overdraft was caused by a bank error — for example, if a transaction posted twice or if a deposit did not show up when it should have — document the error and report it. Bank of America will investigate and may reverse fees if the error is confirmed.

Do not ignore the overdraft. The longer your account stays negative, the more fees accumulate. If you cannot pay the full amount, deposit what you can and contact the bank to discuss a plan.

Overdraft protection linked to another account

Bank of America offers overdraft protection as a separate service: you can link your checking account to a savings account or credit card, and the bank will automatically transfer money to cover overdrafts. This prevents the overdraft fee but may charge a transfer fee instead, depending on your account type and the linked account.

To set up overdraft protection, log into your account online or call the bank. You will need to link an may be able to access account — usually a Bank of America savings account or money market account. When your checking account balance drops below zero, the bank will automatically move money from the linked account to cover it.

This service is optional and separate from the standard overdraft coverage. If you have overdraft protection set up and it transfers money, you will not pay an overdraft fee, but you may pay a transfer fee (usually $0 to $10, depending on your account). Check your account agreement to see what transfers cost.

What happens if you repeatedly overdraft

Bank of America may close your account if you overdraft repeatedly or if your account stays negative for an extended period. The bank does not publish a specific threshold, but multiple overdrafts in a short time — especially if they are not resolved — can trigger account closure.

If your account is closed, you will lose access to your funds until the negative balance is paid. The bank will hold your remaining balance to cover the overdraft, and you may not be able to open a new account with Bank of America for a period of time. The closure will also be reported to ChexSystems, a banking history database, which can make it harder to open accounts at other banks.

To avoid this, pay off overdrafts as soon as possible and consider opting out of overdraft coverage if you find yourself overdrawing frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Bank of America overdraft my account without my permission?

No. Overdraft coverage is optional, and you must consent to it. However, most checking accounts come with overdraft coverage turned on by default. You can opt out at any time by calling the bank or visiting a branch. If you have not explicitly opted out, the bank assumes you want the service.

How long do I have to pay back an overdraft?

There is no formal deadline, but the longer your account stays negative, the more fees you will pay. Bank of America charges a sustained overdraft fee every five business days the account remains negative. The bank may also close your account if the overdraft is not resolved within a reasonable time.

Will an overdraft hurt my credit score?

An overdraft alone will not appear on your credit report or hurt your credit score. However, if the overdraft is not paid and the account is closed, Bank of America may report it to a collection agency, which will damage your credit. Pay the overdraft before it reaches that point.

Can I dispute an overdraft fee?

You can request a reversal by calling the bank or visiting a branch. Bank of America may reverse a fee if it is your first overdraft, if the overdraft was caused by a bank error, or if you have a long history as a customer. There is no may provide, but the bank considers requests on a case-by-case basis.

What is the difference between overdraft coverage and overdraft protection?

Overdraft coverage allows your account to go negative and charges a fee. Overdraft protection links your checking account to a savings account or credit card and automatically transfers money to prevent the overdraft. Protection costs less than coverage but requires a linked account with available funds.