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According to the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, banks make more than $1 billion per quarter on overdraft fees.
While these fees vary, the Chase overdraft fee is on the high end of what most banks charge. You’ll have to pay $34 each time you overdraft your account by more than $50. The bank can even charge up to three overdraft fees per day if you continue to overdraw your account.
You do need to pay off your negative balance as soon as possible. If you don’t, it can result in a closed account and other consequences that could hurt your credit and increase your debt. Chase doesn’t disclose exactly how long you have to resolve a negative balance, so the best approach would be to resolve it as soon as you can. Stay in communication with Chase if you have extenuating circumstances like a job loss or illness, and they may be willing to help you.
Learn more about what happens if your Chase account becomes negative, how to prevent it, and ways to save money on overdraft fees.
Key takeaways
- Chase has several overdraft options that can minimize how much you pay in fees.
- Chase doesn’t charge an overdraft fee for items that are $5 or less.
- The Chase overdraft fee is one of the highest in the industry. You can save money by switching to a bank that doesn’t have overdraft fees.
- Chase First Checking, Chase High School Checking, and Chase Secure Checking don’t have overdraft fees.
How long can your Chase bank account be negative?
It’s good to pay off a negative balance as quickly as possible. There’s some talk in online forums like Reddit that Chase offers up to 60 days to resolve a negative balance. However, since that’s not stated in any publicly available documentation from Chase itself, don’t count on that. In fact, Chase states, “You must immediately pay the amount of any overdraft along with any fees that apply” in its deposit account agreement.
And it states that it could report you to consumer reporting agencies, close your account, or both.
So don’t drag things out. The best route is to resolve your negative balance as soon as you can.
Chase overdraft options
Standard overdraft practice
Chase’s standard overdraft practice is that it may pay overdraft transactions based on your overall account history and the amount of the transaction. If it does pay, it charges the $34 standard overdraft fee.
The overdraft fee applies to all checking accounts except Chase High School Checking, Chase Secure Checking, and Chase First Checking. Checks, automatic payments, and recurring debit card purchases are covered in these three accounts.
Everyday debit card transactions are not covered. If you have recurring payments that come out of your account, like your cell phone bill, it will go through but make your account balance negative if you don’t have enough funds. You will then incur the overdraft fee.
The good news? Chase won’t charge an overdraft fee for transactions below $5. Rejected withdrawal requests at ATMs and debit card transactions that were authorized when you had sufficient funds will also not incur overdraft fees.
Chase overdraft assist
Chase Overdraft Assist allows you to avoid overdraft fees if you overdraw by less than $50 or have a negative balance of $50 or less by the end of the day. The deadline to get your negative balance at -$50 or less is 11 p.m. Eastern (8 p.m. Pacific). This program is not available for checking accounts that do not have overdraft fees.
Chase overdraft protection
Chase overdraft protection lets you link a savings account to your checking account. If you make a purchase that would overdraw your checking account, Chase transfers funds from your savings account to cover the difference. This feature is not available for Chase Secure Checking or Chase First Checking accounts.
Overdraft protection covers all transactions, but it will not work if you have insufficient funds in your checking and savings account. Overdraft protection transfers are free.
Accounts with no overdraft fees
Not every bank charges overdraft fees. While traditional banks usually have high overdraft fees, you can get fewer fees and higher-yielding savings accounts if you work with an online bank or fintech company.
It’s even possible to not pay overdraft fees if you overdraw your account.
You still have to repay a negative balance, but some banks make it easier for their customers to get back to positive balances.
These are two online account options that do not have any overdraft fees.
SoFi
The online bank does not charge overdraft fees and has many of the features and products you would expect from a traditional bank.1 SoFi also helps people get loans, build investment portfolios, and take out insurance policies.
SoFi has one of the best checking accounts due to its up to 0.50% (as of 07/01/24) APY with direct deposit.2 Overdraft coverage is up to $50.3 Member FDIC.4
Visit SoFi | Read our SoFi review
Chime®
This fintech company offers banking services, credit cards, and debit cards through The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.5 And it lets you access cash from more than 50,000 fee-free ATMs.6
Chime also offers a fee-free overdraft of up to $200 for eligible members through SpotMe®.7 Limits for SpotMe start at $20, and you need to receive a single deposit of $200 or more to be eligible to enroll. Chime determines limits based on your account history and activity.
You also won’t have to worry about monthly service fees or minimum balance fees with Chime.8 Chime’s range of financial products isn’t as vast as SoFi’s, though.
Visit Chime | Read our Chime review
FAQ
Does Chase forgive overdraft fees?
Chase Overdraft Assist allows you to avoid overdraft fees if you close the day with a negative balance of $50 or lower. However, if you get charged an overdraft fee, it’s still theoretically possible to receive a refund.
You will have to call a Chase representative shortly after receiving your overdraft fee. Highlighting your loyalty as a long-term customer and explaining why the overdraft fee occurred could increase your chances of receiving a refund. Being courteous and respectful toward the representative will also help.
How long can a bank account be overdrawn before they close it?
Each bank can choose how long to wait before closing overdrawn accounts. Some banks close your account if it’s not paid off after 30 days.
Getting your account closed does not free you from the debt. It will go to a debt collection agency, and your credit score will go down, so it’s best to pay it off as soon as possible.
How do overdrafts happen with my Chase account?
Overdrafts take place when you spend more money than what is in your checking account. Overdrafts can occur through debit card transactions, automatic transfers, and for other reasons. It’s not a good idea to overdraft your Chase account since you can end up with an expensive $34 fee for each overdraw.
Bottom line
Chase is one of the many banks that charge expensive overdraft fees if you overdraw your account, and the bank can make up to three charges per day if you continue to build up a negative balance.
If overdraft fees are a recurring issue, you may want to use a different bank. Some online banks don't charge overdraft fees if you overdraw your balance. These banks usually have more competitive rates and terms too. For instance, you can get a 0.50% (as of 07/01/24) APY with direct deposit from a SoFi checking account.2 That’s a higher rate than what some traditional banks offer for their “high-yield” savings accounts.
If you have an overdraft fee, contact your bank’s support as quickly as possible. Reaching out and demonstrating your loyalty while being courteous during the call could help you get a refund for your overdraft fee.
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