Bank of America checking accounts come with overdraft options, but they are not automatic

Bank of America does not turn on overdraft protection by default. You have to request it. The bank offers two separate overdraft services: Overdraft Protection, which links your checking account to a savings account or line of credit and covers shortfalls automatically, and Overdraft Courtesy, which allows transactions to go through even when your balance is negative—but charges a fee for each one.

Which one you have (or whether you have either) depends on what you chose when you opened your account and what you have changed since. If you have never turned on overdraft protection, your debit card and ATM withdrawals will straightforward decline when your balance runs out. Online bill payments and checks may still process and create a negative balance, which triggers overdraft fees.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America offers Overdraft Protection (automatic coverage from a linked account) and Overdraft Courtesy (fees per transaction), but neither is on by default.
  • Without either service turned on, debit transactions decline, but checks and bill payments can still overdraft your account and incur fees.
  • You can turn Overdraft Protection on or off through your online banking portal, the mobile app, or by calling customer service.
  • Overdraft Courtesy charges $35 per transaction that overdraws your account, and the bank allows up to four overdraft fees per day.

How Overdraft Protection works at Bank of America

Overdraft Protection links your checking account to another account you own—either a savings account, money market account, or Bank of America line of credit. When a transaction would overdraft your checking account, the bank automatically transfers money from the linked account to cover it.

You set the transfer amount when you set up the service. The bank charges a transfer fee of $10 per transfer if you link to a line of credit, but transfers between your own accounts (checking to savings, for example) are free. This is the only overdraft option that does not charge per transaction.

The catch is that you need a second account with sufficient funds. If your savings account is also empty, the transfer fails and your checking account overdraws anyway, triggering Overdraft Courtesy fees instead.

Overdraft Courtesy and the per-transaction fee structure

Overdraft Courtesy allows transactions to post even when your balance is negative. Each transaction that overdraws your account costs $35. The bank caps this at four overdraft fees per day, meaning you can be charged a maximum of $140 in a single day, but the fees can accumulate across multiple days.

Overdraft Courtesy applies to debit card purchases, ATM withdrawals, and checks. It does not cover ACH transfers or bill payments made through your online banking portal—those straightforward decline if your balance is insufficient. The fee is the same whether you overdraft by $1 or $100.

You can turn Overdraft Courtesy off entirely, which means transactions will decline instead of posting negative. However, checks written against insufficient funds will still create overdrafts and trigger fees, because the bank processes checks separately.

How to turn overdraft protection on or off

Log into your Bank of America online banking account or open the mobile app. Go to Settings, then Account Services, then Overdraft Protection. You will see toggles for both Overdraft Protection (the linked account transfer) and Overdraft Courtesy (the per-transaction fee service).

If you want to set up Overdraft Protection, you will need to select which account to link and confirm the transfer amount. If you want to turn off Overdraft Courtesy, toggle it to off—but understand that checks will still overdraft your account if you do not have the funds.

Changes take effect when ready. If you cannot find these settings in the app, call Bank of America customer service at the number on the back of your card. A representative can make the changes for you over the phone.

What happens if you overdraft without protection turned on

If you have neither Overdraft Protection nor Overdraft Courtesy enabled, debit card transactions and ATM withdrawals will decline at the point of sale. You will not be charged a fee, and your account will not go negative.

Checks and bill payments are different. These post to your account after the transaction is initiated, so they can create a negative balance even without overdraft services turned on. Once your account goes negative, you owe the overdraft fee—typically $35 per transaction—even though you did not consent to the overdraft.

This is why many people turn on Overdraft Courtesy intentionally: they prefer to pay the fee and have the transaction go through rather than have a check bounce or a bill payment fail. The choice depends on whether you value the certainty of payment or the certainty of declining a transaction.

Overdraft fees and daily limits

Bank of America charges $35 per overdraft transaction under Overdraft Courtesy. The bank allows up to four overdraft fees per calendar day, for a maximum of $140 in daily charges. If you overdraft five times in one day, only the first four transactions incur fees; the fifth one still posts but is not charged.

Overdraft fees do not expire or forgive automatically. If you overdraft and do not bring your account positive within a set period, the bank may close your account. Some customers have had fees waived by calling customer service and explaining the overdraft as a one-time mistake, but the bank does not have a formal forgiveness program.

If you are repeatedly overdrafting, turning off Overdraft Courtesy and setting up Overdraft Protection (if you have a linked account with funds) is usually the cheaper option long-term.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn off overdraft protection for debit cards but keep it for checks?

No. Overdraft Courtesy applies to all transaction types—debit cards, ATM withdrawals, and checks. You turn the service on or off as a whole. If you want checks to decline rather than overdraft, you must turn off Overdraft Courtesy entirely, but understand that checks process differently and may still create negative balances.

Does Bank of America charge a fee to set up Overdraft Protection?

No setup fee. If you link to a savings or money market account, transfers are free. If you link to a Bank of America line of credit, each transfer costs $10. You only pay when a transfer actually happens, not for having the service active.

What if my linked savings account does not have enough money to cover the overdraft?

The transfer fails, your checking account stays overdrawn, and Overdraft Courtesy fees explore instead. You will be charged $35 for the transaction that triggered the failed transfer. This is why Overdraft Protection works best when your linked account has a buffer.

Can I get an overdraft fee waived?

Bank of America does not have a formal overdraft fee forgiveness program, but customer service representatives can waive fees on a case-by-case basis, especially if the overdraft was a one-time mistake or if you have been a long-standing customer with a good account history. Call the number on your card and ask.

Do I need overdraft protection if I monitor my balance carefully?

If you never let your balance drop below zero, you do not need it. However, many people keep it on as insurance against unexpected charges or timing delays between when a transaction posts and when a deposit clears. The choice depends on your comfort level with the risk of an accidental overdraft.