Overdraft Protection
Protect yourself against overdrafts by using funds from a linked account
Extra Day Grace Period
Get an extra day to make deposits to avoid overdraft fees
Early Pay Day
Access your funds up to two days early to help prevent overdrafts
Clear Access Banking
Don't want overdraft fees? Consider our account with no overdraft fees.
What is an overdraft?
An overdraft occurs when you do not have enough available money in your account to cover a transaction, but we pay it anyway. An overdraft fee of $35 may apply.,
If we don't pay a transaction into overdraft, it will be declined or returned unpaid. We don't assess fees for declined or returned transactions.
The information on this page is for personal accounts. View more information on overdraft services for business accounts.
Understand our standard overdraft coverage
Standard overdraft coverage is included with most checking accounts. With standard overdraft coverage we may authorize and pay overdrafts for the following types of transactions:
- Checks and other transactions made using your checking account number
- Automatic bill payments (such as recurring debit card and ACH payments)
We will not authorize and pay overdrafts for the following types of transactions unless you ask us to (see Debit Card Overdraft Service below):
- ATM transactions
- Everyday debit card transactions (such as one-time debit card and ATM card purchases)
We pay overdrafts at our discretion which means we do not guarantee that we will always authorize and pay any type of transaction. If we do not authorize and pay an overdraft, your transaction will be declined or returned unpaid.
If we pay an overdraft, we assess a fee of $35 per item paid into overdraft. We limit the number of overdraft fees on consumer accounts to three per business day.
You can change the way we handle overdrafts, so we decline or return your transactions when you don't have enough available money in your account to cover a transaction.
- To remove standard overdraft coverage, visit a branch or call a phone banker at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557).
Overdraft fees can still apply even if you remove standard overdraft coverage. We do not assess fees for returned items or declined transactions.
Help Avoid Overdrafts with Overdraft Protection
Set up optional Overdraft Protection to avoid the inconvenience of declined transactions and overdrafts.
You can link up to two eligible Wells Fargo accounts (one savings, one credit) to authorize or pay your transactions if you don't have enough available money in your checking account. We will transfer or advance available funds from your linked account(s) automatically to cover your transactions.
Overdraft Protection covers most transaction types – including, for example, ATM and debit card transactions, checks, Bill Pay, and recurring electronic payments.
- We do not charge transfer fees or advance fees for Overdraft Protection.
- Overdraft Protection advances from a credit account accrue interest from the date each advance is made. See your credit account agreement for details.
To enroll, change or remove Overdraft Protection
- Sign onto Online Banking
- Call a phone banker at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557).
- Talk with a branch banker. Make an appointment.
Overdraft Protection details and eligibility
Eligibility
- You can link up to two eligible Wells Fargo accounts (one savings and one credit account) to one Wells Fargo checking account for Overdraft Protection. If you link two accounts, you may tell us which account to use first to transfer/advance funds. If you do not specify an order, we will first transfer funds from your linked savings account.
- If you link a credit card, the credit card must be confirmed in order for the Bank to transfer funds for Overdraft Protection. If the credit card is not confirmed, no money will transfer to cover the overdraft. Once your credit card has been confirmed, please allow up to 3 business days for your Overdraft Protection service to be fully enabled.
- You can view your eligible accounts by signing onto Online Banking, talking with a branch banker, or calling a phone banker at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557).
For additional information, please also refer to your specific account type in the Consumer Account Fee and Information Schedule, Deposit Account Agreement, or your applicable credit agreement.
Additional ways to help avoid overdraft fees
Extra Day Grace Period
With Extra Day Grace Period, you have an extra business day to make deposits to avoid overdraft fees. If your available balance is zero or positive as of 11:59 Eastern Time, we'll waive the associated overdraft fees.
Early Pay Day
Get paid sooner to help prevent overdrafts. Early Pay Day lets you access your eligible direct deposit up to two days early.
There's no need to enroll – Early Pay Day is automatic when you set up Direct Deposit.
Clear Access Banking
Don't want overdraft fees? Consider Clear Access Banking, our checkless banking account with no overdraft fees.
Open with $25.
$5 monthly service fee
How to avoid the monthly service fee
Teens 13 - 17 years old must open at a branch – see what you'll need
Optional Debit Card Overdraft Service
This optional service lets you choose how we handle your ATM and everyday (one-time) debit card transactions if you don't have enough available money in your account.
- Unenrolled — if you make a debit card purchase and do not have enough available money in your account, your transaction will be declined and you will not be charged any fees.
- Enrolled — if you make a debit card purchase and do not have enough available money in your account, your transaction may be approved into overdraft and you will be charged an overdraft fee of $35 per item.
Note: If you're enrolled in Overdraft Protection, we'll first use available funds in your linked account(s) to cover the transaction – whether or not you're enrolled in Debit Card Overdraft Service.
To enroll, change or remove Debit Card Overdraft Service
- Sign onto Online Banking
- Call a phone banker at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557)
- Talk with a branch banker. Make an appointment
- Visit a Wells Fargo ATM
Debit Card Overdraft Service details and eligibility
Eligibility
Please read this Important information about overdrafts (PDF) before adding the service.
Fee
Our standard overdraft fee of $35 per item may apply each time we pay an overdraft item to your account and a covering deposit or transfer is not made before the cut-off time on the same business day or otherwise covered by Extra Day Grace Period.
Information about cut-off times can be found in the Wells Fargo Deposit Account Agreement.
If your checking account is not enrolled in Debit Card Overdraft Service and you don't have enough available money in your checking account or in accounts linked for Overdraft Protection, ATM and everyday (one-time) debit card transactions will be declined at the time of the transaction. There are no fees for declined transactions.
Four helpful tips for avoiding overdrafts
1. Keep track of your transactions
Record every deposit and withdrawal — including checks, debit card purchases, cash and ATM withdrawals, and recurring payments you've set up such as your car payment or gym membership.
2. Don't forget outstanding transactions
The current available balance provided by the Bank may not include all your transactions, such as checks you have written or upcoming automatic payments that we are unaware of.
3. Keep a little extra in your account
By keeping a little extra in your checking account, you may be able to cover any outstanding transactions that don't yet appear in your available balance and avoid overdrawing your account.
4. Review your statements
Reconcile bank statements with your records.
Use Wells Fargo Online® and Wells Fargo Mobile®
Mobile Banking
Bank on the go using your mobile device
- Monitor account activity
- Transfer money
- Deposit checks
Account Alerts
Stay informed
- Set up a low balance alert
- Be notified by email, text message, or push notification
My Money Map
Stay on track
- Review purchases and payments made with your Wells Fargo credit card, debit card, and Bill Pay
- Create a budget to manage monthly spending
Overdraft FAQs
What is an overdraft?
An overdraft is a negative balance in your account. An overdraft occurs when you spend more money than you have available in your checking account and the Bank pays your transaction anyway.
Is an overdraft different from a returned item?
Yes. A returned item / non-sufficient funds (NSF) item occurs when Wells Fargo returns an item (such as a check or other transaction presented for payment) unpaid because there is not enough money available in the account to cover it (meaning, we do not pay the transaction).
What is the fee for overdrafts?
Our overdraft fee for items paid into overdraft is $35 per item. We charge no more than three overdraft fees per business day for personal accounts.
We do not charge a returned item / non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee for items returned unpaid.
Note: We will not charge an overdraft fee on items that are $10 or less, and we won't charge overdraft fees if both your ending daily account balance and available balance are overdrawn by $10 or less after we have processed all of your transactions. There are no overdraft fees for ATM and everyday (one-time) debit card transactions unless your account is enrolled in Debit Card Overdraft Service, as described above.
Can I make a deposit or transfer to avoid overdraft fees?
Yes. Making a deposit or transfer may help avoid overdraft fees.
You may avoid an overdraft altogether – including applicable overdraft fees – if you make a covering deposit or transfer before the posted cut-off time on the same business day that you overdrew your account.
With Extra Day Grace Period, if your account is overdrawn, you have an extra business day to make a deposit to avoid overdraft fees. If your available balance is positive as of midnight Eastern Time, we'll waive the associated overdraft fees. After your grace period ends, if your available balance is not zero or positive, a $35 fee may be charged for each overdraft up to a maximum of three.
What is the difference between Overdraft Protection and Debit Card Overdraft Service?
Both services are optional and you can sign up for one or both depending on your checking account,, and how you like to manage your money. You can have one, the other, or both – the choice is yours.
- Overdraft Protection uses available funds from your eligible linked savings, credit card, or line of credit account(s) to authorize or pay a transaction if there isn't enough money in your checking account. In other words, the linked account helps you avoid an overdraft in the first place.
- Debit Card Overdraft Service allows the Bank to authorize, at its discretion, ATM and everyday (one-time) debit card transactions into overdraft if there isn't enough available money in your checking account (or in accounts linked for overdraft protection), and an overdraft fee will apply to any item paid into overdraft.
If you are enrolled in both services, we will first use available funds in your linked Overdraft Protection account(s) to cover transactions when you don't have enough available money in your checking account.
How much does Wells Fargo's Overdraft Protection transfer or advance?
For linked savings accounts: If the available balance in your savings account is $25 or more and can cover the overdraft, we'll transfer the exact amount needed or a minimum of $25. If the available balance in your savings account is less than either $25 or the amount needed, we'll transfer the available balance.
For linked credit accounts: If the available credit in your credit card account is $25 or more and can cover the overdraft, we'll advance the exact amount needed or a minimum of $25. If the available credit in your credit card account is less than either $25 or the amount needed, we'll advance the available credit. Advances from an eligible linked Wells Fargo line of credit are generally made in increments of $100 or $300.
What will happen if I don't have enough available money in my account to cover an ATM or everyday (one-time) debit card transaction and I'm not enrolled in Debit Card Overdraft Service?
ATM and everyday (one-time) debit card transactions will be declined at the time of the transaction. There are no fees for declined transactions. If a checking account is not enrolled in Debit Card Overdraft Service and an ATM or everyday (one-time) debit card transaction creates a negative balance during posting, an overdraft fee will not be assessed.
Please be aware that recurring debit card transactions you have pre-authorized (such as a utility payments, streaming services, and gym memberships) may be approved into overdraft at the Bank's discretion whether or not you are enrolled in Debit Card Overdraft Service and an overdraft fee would be assessed for items paid into overdraft.
How do I decide which overdraft services are right for me?
Review the materials on this site, call a phone banker at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557), or talk with a local branch banker.
How do I add, change or remove Overdraft Protection?
You can add, change or remove Overdraft Protection through Online Banking and Wells Fargo Mobile® by talking to a phone banker at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557), or by visiting a branch banker.
How do I add or remove Debit Card Overdraft Service?
You can add or remove Debit Card Overdraft Service at a Wells Fargo ATM (Select More Choices, Wells Fargo Services), through Online Banking, with a branch banker, or by talking to a phone banker anytime at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557). Any account holder with transaction authority can add or remove the service on the checking account.
Does Wells Fargo guarantee my ATM and everyday (one-time) debit card transactions will be approved with Debit Card Overdraft Service?
No. The payment of any transaction into overdraft remains a discretionary decision of Wells Fargo and we reserve the right not to pay. For example, we typically do not pay these items if your account is overdrawn or if you have had excessive overdrafts.
Do optional overdraft services apply to Clear Access Banking accounts?
No. Clear Access Banking does not allow for optional overdraft services and has no overdraft fees.
How does Extra Day Grace Period work if I have Overdraft Protection?
If you have an account linked for Overdraft Protection and a transfer or advance of funds from the linked account covers your transactions for that business day, Extra Day Grace Period will not apply because there are no pending overdraft fees to avoid. However, if a transfer or advance of funds from a linked Overdraft Protection account is not sufficient to cover all of your transactions, Extra Day Grace Period will apply to any transaction that is paid into overdraft and that has a pending overdraft fee. Extra Day Grace Period does not reverse the transfer or advance of funds from your linked account, and advances from linked credit accounts accrue interest from the date of the advance in accordance with the terms of your applicable credit agreement.
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