Bank of America's overdraft limits depend on your account type and history

Bank of America does not publish a fixed overdraft limit that applies to all customers. Instead, the bank sets an individual overdraft protection limit based on your account history, balance patterns, and relationship with the bank. A new customer might have a limit of $100, while an established customer with consistent deposits could have $500 or more. The bank reviews these limits periodically and may increase or decrease them without notice.

Your limit is separate from overdraft fees. Even if you have a $500 overdraft limit, each transaction that overdraws your account triggers a fee — currently $35 per transaction at Bank of America, up to a maximum of three fees per day. This means you could owe $105 in fees alone if you overdraft three times in one day, on top of the amount you actually owe the bank.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America sets overdraft limits individually; there is no standard amount that applies to all customers.
  • Your limit is determined by your account history, deposit patterns, and how long you have banked with them.
  • Each overdraft transaction costs $35 in fees, with a maximum of three fees charged per day.
  • You can request to lower or remove your overdraft limit by contacting the bank, but you cannot request a higher limit.
  • Opting out of overdraft protection stops the bank from covering transactions that would overdraft your account, which also stops the fees.

How Bank of America decides your personal overdraft limit

Bank of America uses an internal scoring system that weighs several factors. The length of your account history matters — customers who have been with the bank for years typically have higher limits than those with new accounts. The frequency and size of your deposits also factor in; if you consistently deposit paychecks or other regular income, the bank sees you as lower risk. Your current balance and how often you overdraft also influence the decision.

The bank does not tell you what your limit is unless you ask. You can find out by calling Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000, visiting a branch, or logging into your online account and looking at your account details. Some customers discover their limit only when they attempt a transaction that would exceed it and the bank declines it.

What happens when you overdraft past your limit

If you try to make a transaction that would push your account below your overdraft limit, Bank of America will decline the transaction. For example, if your limit is $500 and you have already overdrawn $500, a $20 debit card purchase will be rejected at the point of sale. This is different from overdrafting within your limit, where the transaction goes through and you owe the bank money plus a fee.

Declined transactions do not trigger overdraft fees, but they can trigger merchant fees if the merchant charges you for a failed payment. Some merchants (utilities, insurance companies, subscription services) charge $25 to $50 when a payment bounces. You may also face late fees from the merchant if the failed payment was for a bill.

Overdraft fees and daily limits on how many you pay

Bank of America charges $35 per overdraft transaction. The bank caps overdraft fees at three per day, meaning the maximum you can be charged in fees on any single day is $105. This cap applies to the total number of overdraft transactions, not the total amount overdrawn. If you overdraft by $5 and then overdraft by $500 on the same day, you still pay only $35 for each transaction.

The bank also has a negative balance limit — the furthest negative your account can go before the bank closes it and sends the debt to collections. This limit is typically around $5,000 to $10,000, though it varies. If your account stays negative for 60 days, Bank of America will usually close it and report the debt.

How to lower or remove your overdraft limit

You can request that Bank of America lower your overdraft limit or remove overdraft protection entirely. Call 1-800-432-1000 and ask to speak with an account specialist. Lowering your limit means fewer transactions will be covered if you overdraft, so more transactions will be declined. Removing overdraft protection entirely means no transactions will be covered — everything will be declined if you do not have the funds.

Removing overdraft protection stops overdraft fees from occurring, but it does not stop declined-transaction fees from merchants. If a utility company or subscription service tries to charge your account and it declines, they may still charge you a returned-payment fee. The advantage is that you will not owe Bank of America money; you will only owe the merchant.

Overdraft protection through linked accounts or savings

Bank of America offers an alternative to its standard overdraft limit: you can link a savings account, money market account, or credit card to your checking account. If a transaction would overdraft your checking account, the bank automatically transfers money from the linked account to cover it. This transfer typically costs $10, which is less than the $35 overdraft fee, but only if you have money available in the linked account.

If you link a savings account and do not have enough in savings to cover the overdraft, the transaction will still overdraft your checking account and trigger the $35 fee. The linked account must have sufficient funds at the moment the transaction processes. This option works best if you keep a buffer in savings specifically for this purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I increase my overdraft limit with Bank of America?

No. Bank of America does not allow customers to request a higher overdraft limit. The bank sets your limit based on its own assessment of your account. You can only request to lower it or remove it entirely.

Does Bank of America overdraft limit reset each month?

No. Your overdraft limit is a standing limit that remains in place until you request a change or the bank adjusts it. It does not reset on a monthly cycle. However, the bank may review and change your limit periodically without your permission.

What is the difference between overdraft protection and overdraft fees?

Overdraft protection is the service that allows transactions to go through even when your balance is negative. Overdraft fees are the charges you pay for using that service. You can have overdraft protection removed, which stops the fees but also means transactions will be declined instead of covered.

If I close my Bank of America account with a negative balance, what happens?

Bank of America will attempt to collect the negative balance from you. The debt may be reported to credit bureaus and collection agencies. You remain responsible for the full amount, including any additional collection fees or interest that accrues.

Does Bank of America charge overdraft fees on ATM withdrawals?

Yes. If you withdraw more than your available balance at a Bank of America ATM, you will be charged the $35 overdraft fee. The ATM will allow the withdrawal if it is within your overdraft limit, but the fee applies immediately.