Wells Fargo's overdraft fees as of now

Wells Fargo charges $35 per overdraft transaction if you spend more money than you have in your account. This fee applies each time a transaction posts that takes your balance negative — so if you overdraw by $5 on three separate purchases in one day, you pay $35 three times, not once.

The bank also charges a $35 fee if your account stays negative for more than five business days. This is separate from the per-transaction fee. If you overdraw on a Monday and don't bring your balance positive by Friday, you owe an additional $35 on top of any transaction fees already charged.

Wells Fargo does not charge overdraft fees on ATM withdrawals or on transfers between your own accounts. The fees apply only to debit card purchases, checks, and ACH transfers (automatic payments) that overdraw your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Wells Fargo charges $35 each time a transaction overdrafts your account, meaning multiple purchases in one day can trigger multiple fees.
  • If your account stays negative for more than five business days, you pay an additional $35 fee on top of transaction fees.
  • You can opt out of overdraft coverage entirely, which means transactions will be declined rather than charged a fee.
  • Wells Fargo offers overdraft protection through linked accounts or lines of credit, which can prevent fees by covering the shortfall automatically.

How the five-day negative balance fee works

The second Wells Fargo overdraft fee triggers based on time, not just the act of overdrawing. If your account balance goes negative on a Monday, and you don't deposit money to bring it back to zero or positive by the end of the day Friday, Wells Fargo charges you $35 on the sixth business day.

Weekends and bank holidays do not count toward the five-day window. If you overdraw on a Friday, the clock starts Monday. If you overdraw on a Thursday before a holiday weekend, you have until the following Tuesday to fix it before the fee hits.

This fee can stack with transaction fees. You might owe $35 for the overdraft itself, then another $35 if the account is still negative five days later. If multiple transactions overdraw the account on different days, each one can trigger its own five-day timer.

Opting out of overdraft coverage

Wells Fargo allows you to turn off overdraft protection on your checking account. When you do, transactions that would overdraw your account are simply declined instead — you don't spend the money, and you don't pay a fee.

To opt out, contact Wells Fargo by phone, through your online account, or in person at a branch. The bank will ask you to confirm that you want transactions declined rather than covered. Once you opt out, the change takes effect immediately for debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals. Checks and ACH transfers may still be covered under separate rules, so confirm the details with your bank.

Opting out protects you from overdraft fees, but it also means your transaction might fail at the point of sale — your card could be declined at a checkout, or a bill payment might not go through. Some people find this inconvenient; others prefer it to paying fees.

Overdraft protection through linked accounts

Wells Fargo offers overdraft protection, which automatically transfers money from another account you own (or from a line of credit) if your checking account would go negative. If you link a savings account, Wells Fargo moves money from savings to checking to cover the shortfall, and you avoid the overdraft fee.

The transfer itself is free. You only pay a fee if the linked account doesn't have enough money to cover the overdraft, or if you don't have a linked account set up. Some customers set up overdraft protection with a Wells Fargo line of credit instead of a savings account, which works the same way — the credit line covers the gap, and you're charged interest on the borrowed amount rather than an overdraft fee.

To set up overdraft protection, log into your Wells Fargo account online or call the bank. You'll choose which account to link and confirm that you want automatic transfers to happen. You can change or remove the linked account at any time.

What happens if you repeatedly overdraw

Wells Fargo does not close accounts after a single overdraft or even several overdrafts. However, if you overdraw frequently — especially if you don't pay the fees or bring your balance positive — the bank may eventually close your account or restrict your access to overdraft coverage.

Repeated overdrafts also show up on your banking history through ChexSystems, a system banks use to check whether you've had problems with previous accounts. A history of overdrafts can make it harder to open accounts at other banks, though it doesn't affect your credit score directly.

If you're overdrawing regularly, the cheapest long-term solution is usually to opt out of overdraft coverage or set up overdraft protection with a linked account. Both prevent the $35 fees from piling up.

How overdraft fees compare to other banks

Overdraft fees vary widely. Most large banks charge between $30 and $40 per overdraft transaction, so Wells Fargo's $35 fee is in the middle of that range. Some online banks and credit unions charge less — $25 or even $15 per overdraft — while a few charge more.

The five-day negative balance fee is less common. Not all banks charge this fee, so if you're prone to staying negative for a few days, a bank without this second fee might save you money. Some banks also limit the number of overdraft fees you can be charged in a single day, capping them at two or three; Wells Fargo does not have a daily cap, so multiple transactions can trigger multiple fees.

If overdraft fees are a regular problem for you, comparing banks' overdraft policies — not just their interest rates or monthly fees — can make a real difference in your total costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Wells Fargo reverse an overdraft fee?

Wells Fargo may reverse one or two overdraft fees if you contact the bank and explain the situation, especially if you have a good account history and this is your first time asking. There's no may provide, and the bank is not required to reverse fees. Calling customer service and asking politely is worth trying, but don't count on it.

Do I get charged a fee if I overdraw by just a few dollars?

Yes. Wells Fargo charges the full $35 fee regardless of how much you overdraw — whether it's $1 or $100. The fee amount doesn't scale with the overdraft amount.

What's the difference between overdraft fees and NSF fees?

An overdraft fee is charged when Wells Fargo covers a transaction that would make your balance negative. An NSF (non-sufficient funds) fee is charged when a transaction is declined because you don't have enough money. If you opt out of overdraft coverage, you'll see NSF fees instead of overdraft fees. Both typically cost $35 at Wells Fargo.

Does overdraft protection cost anything?

Setting up overdraft protection with a linked savings account is free. There's no monthly fee or charge for the transfer itself. If you use a line of credit for overdraft protection, you'll pay interest on the amount borrowed, but no separate overdraft fee.

How long do I have to pay back an overdraft?

Wells Fargo doesn't require you to pay back an overdraft by a specific date, but your account will stay negative and you'll owe the five-day fee if it's not brought positive within five business days. The sooner you deposit money to cover it, the sooner you stop accumulating fees.