Bank of America's overdraft limits depend on your account history and balance patterns
Bank of America does not publish a fixed overdraft limit that applies to all customers. Instead, the bank sets an individual limit based on factors like how long you have held your account, your typical balance, your deposit history, and your past overdraft behavior. A customer with a long account history and consistent deposits might receive an overdraft cushion of several hundred dollars, while a newer customer might have none at all.
The bank calls this cushion overdraft protection, and it is not automatic. You do not receive a limit simply by opening an account. Bank of America reviews your account activity and decides whether to offer it, and if so, how much. This means two customers with similar account types can have very different limits.
If you overdraft beyond your limit or do not have overdraft protection at all, Bank of America will decline the transaction or charge you an overdraft fee. The fee is $35 per transaction as of this writing, though this can change. You can also link a savings account or credit card to your checking account to cover overdrafts automatically, which avoids the fee but may trigger a transfer fee instead.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America sets overdraft limits individually based on your account history, deposit patterns, and past behavior—there is no single limit that applies to everyone.
- The bank does not automatically grant overdraft protection; you must be offered it, and you can request it be removed if you prefer not to have it.
- If you overdraft beyond your limit or have no protection, Bank of America charges $35 per transaction and may decline the payment.
- Linking a savings account or credit card to your checking account can cover overdrafts without a fee, though a transfer fee may apply depending on your account type.
- You can contact Bank of America directly to ask about your current overdraft limit or to request a change.
How Bank of America decides your overdraft limit
Bank of America reviews several factors when deciding whether to offer overdraft protection and how much to allow. The bank looks at how long your account has been open—accounts with years of history are more likely to receive protection than brand-new accounts. It also examines your typical account balance and whether you regularly deposit money. Customers who maintain higher balances and receive frequent deposits are seen as lower risk.
Your overdraft history matters too. If you have overdrawn your account multiple times in the past and paid the fees, the bank may lower your limit or remove protection entirely. Conversely, if you have never overdrawn or have only done so once or twice, the bank may increase your limit over time as your account ages.
Bank of America does not tell you exactly how it calculates your limit, and the limit can change without notice. The bank may increase it as your account history grows, or decrease it if you overdraft frequently. You can call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch to ask what your current limit is.
What happens when you overdraft beyond your limit
If you attempt a transaction that would push your account below your overdraft limit, Bank of America will usually decline it. The merchant will be told the payment was refused, and you will not be charged a fee for the declined transaction itself. However, if the transaction goes through and your account goes negative beyond your limit, you will owe a $35 overdraft fee per transaction.
Bank of America can charge multiple overdraft fees in a single day if you make multiple transactions that overdraft your account. The bank processes transactions in a specific order—typically largest to smallest—which can cause more transactions to overdraft than you might expect. For example, if you have $50 in your account and make a $100 purchase followed by five $10 purchases, the $100 transaction might overdraft first, triggering a fee, and then some of the $10 transactions might also overdraft, each triggering another fee.
You are responsible for bringing your account back to a positive balance. Bank of America will not close your account immediately, but if you remain overdrawn for an extended period, the bank may close it and report you to ChexSystems, a banking history database that other banks use to decide whether to open accounts for you.
Using overdraft protection through a linked account
Instead of relying on Bank of America's overdraft cushion, you can link a savings account or credit card to your checking account. When your checking account would overdraft, the bank automatically transfers money from the linked account to cover the shortfall. This prevents the overdraft fee and keeps your checking account positive.
If you link a savings account, Bank of America may charge a transfer fee—typically $1 to $3 per transfer, though this varies by account type. Some account tiers include free transfers. If you link a credit card, the transfer is treated as a cash advance, which usually carries a higher interest rate and an upfront fee (often 3% to 5% of the amount transferred).
To set up linked overdraft protection, log into your Bank of America online account or mobile app, go to the overdraft settings, and select which account to link. You can change or remove the linked account at any time. This method gives you more control than relying on Bank of America's automatic limit, because you decide exactly how much money is available to transfer.
Requesting a change to your overdraft limit
You can contact Bank of America to request an increase or decrease to your overdraft limit. To request an increase, call 1-800-432-1000 and ask to speak with a representative about your overdraft protection. Have your account number ready. The bank will review your account and may increase your limit if your history supports it, but there is no may provide.
If you want to remove overdraft protection entirely, you can do so through your online account or by calling the same number. Removing it means Bank of America will decline any transaction that would overdraft your account, and you will not be charged overdraft fees. Some customers prefer this because it prevents accidental overspending and the fees that follow.
Bank of America may also automatically adjust your limit based on your account activity. If you consistently overdraft, the bank may lower your limit or remove protection. If your account grows and your deposit history improves, the bank may increase it. These changes happen without your request and are not always communicated in advance.
Overdraft fees and how to avoid them
Bank of America charges $35 per overdraft transaction. The bank allows up to four overdraft fees per day, meaning you can be charged up to $140 in a single day if you make four separate transactions that overdraft your account. Some banks cap overdraft fees at a lower amount per day, but Bank of America's policy allows four.
To avoid overdraft fees, monitor your balance regularly through the mobile app or online banking. Set up balance alerts so you receive a notification when your balance drops below a certain amount. Pay bills a day or two before the due date rather than on the due date itself, because processing delays can cause transactions to post later than expected. If you know you are close to your limit, use your debit card for smaller purchases and avoid large transactions until your next deposit arrives.
If you are charged an overdraft fee and believe it was an error, you can contact Bank of America and ask for a reversal. The bank may reverse one or two fees per year if you have a good account history, but this is not may provide. Reversals are more likely if the overdraft was caused by a bank error or an unusual circumstance, not repeated carelessness.
Overdraft protection versus overdraft fees
These are two different things, and the names can be confusing. Overdraft protection is the cushion Bank of America allows you to use—the amount you can go negative without being declined. Overdraft fees are the charges you pay when you use that cushion or when you overdraft beyond it.
Having overdraft protection does not mean you will not pay fees. If you overdraft beyond your limit, you still owe the $35 fee. Overdraft protection simply means the bank will allow the transaction to go through up to a certain point, rather than declining it immediately. Some customers think overdraft protection is a free benefit, but it is really just a short-term loan that comes with a fee if you use it.
If you want to avoid fees entirely, the safest approach is to keep your balance above zero and use a linked savings account or credit card as a backup. This way, if you accidentally overdraft, the linked account covers it without triggering a $35 fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I increase my overdraft limit if Bank of America has not offered one?
You can contact Bank of America and ask, but the bank will not increase a limit you do not have. If you have not been offered overdraft protection, the bank has decided you do not meet its criteria. You can ask what would change that decision—usually, maintaining a higher balance or having a longer account history helps. Call 1-800-432-1000 to discuss your options.
What is the maximum overdraft limit Bank of America allows?
Bank of America does not publish a maximum limit. Limits vary widely by customer and can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on account history and balance. The bank sets each limit individually and does not disclose the formula it uses.
If I overdraft, how long do I have to pay it back?
You should bring your account back to a positive balance as soon as possible. Bank of America does not give you a grace period—the overdraft fee is charged immediately. If you remain overdrawn for an extended period (usually 30 to 60 days), the bank may close your account and report you to ChexSystems.
Does overdrafting hurt my credit score?
Overdrafting your checking account does not directly affect your credit score, because checking accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. However, if you remain overdrawn and the bank closes your account, it may report you to ChexSystems, which can make it harder to open a new bank account elsewhere.
Can I set up overdraft protection on a savings account?
Bank of America does not offer overdraft protection on savings accounts. You can only overdraft a checking account. You can link a savings account to your checking account to cover overdrafts, but the savings account itself cannot go negative.