How much are overdraft fees in 2026?

Overdraft fees at traditional banks typically run $26–$35 per transaction. Chase charges $34, Wells Fargo $35, US Bank $36. However, many banks have reduced or eliminated them: Bank of America charges $10, Capital One charges $0, Ally Bank charges $0, and Citibank charges $0. Online banks and neobanks have broadly eliminated overdraft fees.

Which banks have no overdraft fees?

Banks with $0 overdraft fees in 2026 include: Capital One 360 Checking, Ally Bank, Discover Bank, Citibank, Chime, Varo, Current, and Alliant Credit Union. Bank of America reduced its fee to $10. The CFPB's 2024 rules capped overdraft fees at $5 for large banks — implementation is ongoing.

What happens if I overdraft my bank account?

If you overdraft with overdraft coverage enabled, your bank pays the transaction and charges a fee ($26–$35 typically). If you don't have overdraft coverage for debit purchases (you can opt out under Regulation E), the transaction is declined with no fee. Accounts left negative for 30–60 days may be closed and sent to collections.

How do I opt out of overdraft fees?

Federal Regulation E gives you the right to opt out of overdraft coverage for one-time debit card and ATM transactions. When you opt out, transactions are simply declined when funds are insufficient — no fee charged. Call your bank or visit a branch and say you want to 'opt out of overdraft protection.' Note: this does not apply to checks or pre-authorized ACH payments.

Can I get an overdraft fee waived?

Yes. Most banks will waive overdraft fees once per year for established customers. Call the number on the back of your debit card, explain the situation, and politely ask for a courtesy waiver. First-time requests succeed 60–80% of the time. If declined, ask to speak with a supervisor.

Does overdrafting hurt my credit score?

Overdrafts are not reported to credit bureaus and do not directly affect your FICO score. However, if the bank closes your account due to a sustained negative balance and sends the debt to collections, that collections account will appear on your credit report. The closed account also gets reported to ChexSystems, which can prevent you from opening a new checking account for up to 5 years.

Overdraft Fees Guide 2026 — By Bank, How to Avoid & What to Do

Americans pay over $8 billion in overdraft fees annually — most of it avoidable. Whether you want to compare fees, stop paying them entirely, or fix an accidental overdraft, this guide covers every angle.

Overdraft Fees by Bank (2026)

Bank	Overdraft Fee	Daily Max	Free Grace Period	Notes
Capital One	$0	—	Yes	No overdraft fees
Ally Bank	$0	—	Yes	No overdraft fees
Citibank	$0	—	Yes	No overdraft fees
Discover Bank	$0	—	Yes	No overdraft fees
Bank of America	$10	$70/day	24-hour grace	Reduced from $35 in 2022
Chase	$34	$102/day	$50 cushion	No fee if balance > -$50
Wells Fargo	$35	$105/day	24-hour grace	$175 eliminated in 2023
US Bank	$36	$108/day	24-hour grace	Highest among majors
PNC Bank	$36	$144/day	Low cash mode alert	24-hr window to cover
TD Bank	$35	$105/day	24-hour grace
Truist	$36	$108/day	24-hour grace
Regions Bank	$36	$108/day	$1 cushion

Chime, Varo, and Current: $0 overdraft fees. SpotMe (Chime) covers up to $200 on debit purchases for eligible users.

How Overdraft Protection Works

Banks offer several flavors of overdraft coverage:

Overdraft coverage (opt-in): Bank pays debit/ATM transactions that exceed your balance and charges a fee. Regulated by Regulation E — you must actively opt in.
Overdraft transfer: Automatically moves funds from a linked savings account or line of credit. Usually free or $10–$12 per transfer — much cheaper than a standard overdraft fee.
Overdraft line of credit: A small line of credit attached to your checking account. Interest rates are typically 18–21% APR.
No coverage (Regulation E opt-out): Debit card and ATM transactions simply decline — no fee charged. The safest option if you tend to overspend.

The $50 Buffer Rule (Chase) and Similar Protections

Chase will not charge an overdraft fee if your balance goes negative by $50 or less — the transaction is covered fee-free. Bank of America has a 24-hour grace period to cover the negative balance before charging its $10 fee. PNC’s Low Cash Mode alerts you before an overdraft occurs and gives you 24 hours to deposit funds.

On a $40 Starbucks purchase that overdrafts your account by $30: at Chase, no fee. At Wells Fargo, $35 fee.

What Happens If You Don’t Cover an Overdraft

Day 1–5: Bank may charge a $25–$35 extended overdraft fee for each day the account is negative (less common since 2022 regulatory pressure)
Day 30–60: Bank closes the account and may sell the debt to a collections agency
After closure: ChexSystems record added — stays for up to 5 years, blocking new account applications at most traditional banks
If sent to collections: Collections account appears on credit report, potentially damaging your FICO score by 50–100+ points

Overdraft Articles in This Cluster

Overdraft Fees by Bank — 2026 Complete Comparison

Every major bank’s overdraft fee, daily cap, grace period, and opt-out policy in one table.

How to Avoid Overdraft Fees — 10 Strategies

Opt-out instructions, fee-free bank alternatives, balance alerts, and linked account solutions.

I Accidentally Overdrafted — What Do I Do Now?

Immediate steps to minimize fees, how to request a waiver, and how to prevent it from happening again.

What Happens If You Overdraw Your Bank Account?

Full breakdown of fees, ChexSystems reporting, credit consequences, and the timeline from overdraft to collections.

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy