Daily withdrawal limits at Bank of America
Bank of America sets a daily ATM withdrawal limit of $1,000 for most debit cardholders. If you need more cash than that in a single day, you can withdraw additional amounts inside a branch during business hours — there is no daily limit for in-branch withdrawals. The $1,000 limit applies to ATM transactions only and resets at midnight Eastern Time.
Your actual limit may be lower if you are new to the bank, have a different account type, or have had fraud on your account. Business accounts, student accounts, and accounts with limited history sometimes start with lower limits. Bank of America can also lower your limit temporarily if suspicious activity is detected.
If you regularly need more than $1,000 per day, you can request a higher ATM limit by calling customer service at 1-800-432-1000 or visiting a branch. The bank will review your account history and may approve an increase, though approval is not may provide.
Key Takeaways
- ATM withdrawals are limited to $1,000 per day, but you can withdraw any amount inside a Bank of America branch during business hours.
- The daily limit resets at midnight Eastern Time, so you can make another $1,000 withdrawal after that time.
- New accounts, business accounts, and accounts with fraud flags may have lower limits than $1,000.
- You can request a higher ATM limit by calling 1-800-432-1000 or visiting a branch in person.
Why Bank of America has withdrawal limits
Daily withdrawal limits exist to protect your account from fraud and theft. If someone steals your debit card or learns your PIN, the limit prevents them from draining your entire account in one transaction. The limit also reduces the bank's liability for unauthorized withdrawals.
Limits also help the bank manage cash flow at ATMs. High-traffic ATMs need to be refilled regularly, and limits reduce the chance that one customer will empty a machine before it can be serviced.
Withdrawing more than $1,000 in a day
The simplest way to get more than $1,000 in cash is to visit a Bank of America branch during business hours. Tellers can withdraw any amount from your account without a daily limit, as long as you have the funds available. You will need to show a valid ID.
If you need the cash urgently and no branch is open, you can make multiple ATM withdrawals after midnight. Since the limit resets at midnight Eastern Time, you can withdraw $1,000 at 11:59 p.m. and another $1,000 after midnight — but this requires access to an ATM at the right time and takes several hours.
For very large withdrawals — typically $10,000 or more — the bank may ask you to provide advance notice. This is a federal reporting requirement, not a Bank of America policy. The bank must file a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) for any single withdrawal of $10,000 or more in cash. Giving advance notice helps the bank prepare the cash and complete the paperwork smoothly.
Limits on other types of withdrawals
Debit card purchases at stores do not count toward your ATM withdrawal limit. You can spend as much as you want with your debit card at merchants, as long as you have the balance. The $1,000 limit applies only to cash withdrawals from ATMs.
Transfers out of your account — to another bank, to another person via Zelle, or to a savings account — also do not count toward the ATM limit. You can transfer large amounts without hitting the daily withdrawal cap.
Checks written against your account have no daily limit either. You can write checks for any amount, as long as you have the funds to cover them.
What happens if you try to withdraw more than your limit
If you attempt to withdraw more than $1,000 at an ATM, the machine will decline the transaction. The ATM will display a message saying the amount exceeds your daily limit and will not dispense cash. Your account will not be charged a fee for the declined attempt.
If you try to withdraw $1,500 at an ATM, you cannot split it into two transactions at the same machine in quick succession — the ATM will still see it as part of the same daily total. You must wait until after midnight or go to a branch.
Requesting a higher ATM limit
Bank of America allows you to request an increase to your daily ATM withdrawal limit. Call customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and ask to speak with someone about raising your limit. Have your account number and a recent withdrawal reason ready to explain.
The bank will review your account history, including how long you have been a customer, your typical spending patterns, and whether you have had any fraud or overdraft issues. Customers with longer account histories and clean records are more likely to receive an increase.
If approved, your new limit typically takes effect within one to two business days. The bank will confirm the new amount in writing or via your online account. There is no fee to request or receive a higher limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw $2,000 from an ATM if I split it into two separate transactions?
No. Bank of America's system tracks your total ATM withdrawals within a 24-hour period, even if you use different ATMs or machines. Both transactions count toward your $1,000 daily limit. You must wait until after midnight Eastern Time to make a second withdrawal, or visit a branch.
Does the $1,000 limit apply to ATMs outside of Bank of America?
Yes. The limit applies to any ATM where you use your Bank of America debit card, including ATMs at other banks and independent machines. The limit is set by Bank of America, not by the ATM operator.
What if I need to withdraw $10,000 or more?
Visit a Bank of America branch during business hours and bring a valid ID. For amounts of $10,000 or more, call ahead to give the branch time to have enough cash on hand. The bank will file a Currency Transaction Report with the federal government, which is standard procedure and not a sign of wrongdoing.
Can I increase my ATM limit permanently?
Bank of America may approve a permanent increase if you request one and meet their criteria. Call 1-800-432-1000 to ask. The bank reviews your account history and may grant a higher limit, though approval depends on your account standing and history with the bank.
Does my savings account have the same $1,000 ATM limit?
Yes. Bank of America applies the $1,000 daily ATM withdrawal limit to both checking and savings accounts. The limit is per account, so if you have multiple accounts, each one has its own $1,000 daily limit.