Your daily ATM withdrawal limit at Bank of America
Bank of America sets a standard daily ATM withdrawal limit of $500 for most checking and savings accounts. This means you cannot withdraw more than $500 from an ATM in a single calendar day, even if you have more money in your account. The limit resets at midnight Eastern Time.
Your actual limit may be different depending on your account type, your banking history with the bank, and whether you have requested a higher limit. Some accounts come with lower limits—particularly new accounts or accounts with limited transaction history. If you regularly need to withdraw more than $500, you can request a higher limit by contacting Bank of America directly.
The $500 limit applies to ATMs owned by Bank of America and to ATMs in the Allpoint network, which Bank of America customers can use without a fee. If you use an out-of-network ATM, your bank may charge you a fee in addition to any fee the ATM operator charges.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America's standard daily ATM withdrawal limit is $500 per calendar day, resetting at midnight Eastern Time.
- Your personal limit may be lower if your account is new, has limited history, or if the bank has flagged unusual activity on your account.
- You can request a higher daily limit by calling Bank of America customer service or visiting a branch in person.
- Withdrawals at Bank of America ATMs and Allpoint network ATMs do not carry a Bank of America fee, but out-of-network ATMs may charge you.
- If you need cash beyond your limit, you can withdraw from a teller inside a branch during business hours with no daily cap.
How to request a higher withdrawal limit
To raise your daily ATM withdrawal limit, call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 (the number on the back of your card). Have your account number and a form of identification ready. A representative can usually increase your limit on the spot, though the new limit takes effect within one business day.
You can also visit a Bank of America branch in person and speak to a banker about raising your limit. Bring your debit card and a government-issued ID. The branch staff can process the request immediately, and the change typically goes into effect the same day or the next business day.
Bank of America will not raise your limit indefinitely. The bank considers your account history, the reason you need a higher limit, and whether you have had any fraud or overdraft issues. If the bank denies your request, ask what factors led to the decision—sometimes a history of overdrafts or recent fraud alerts can trigger a temporary hold on limit increases.
Why banks set daily ATM withdrawal limits
Daily withdrawal limits exist for two reasons: to reduce the bank's exposure to fraud and to manage cash flow at ATM locations. If someone steals your debit card, the $500 daily cap means they cannot drain your entire account in one transaction. The limit also prevents any single customer from withdrawing so much cash that an ATM runs out of money and becomes unavailable to other customers.
The limit is not a reflection of how much money you have in your account. You may have $10,000 in your checking account but still be unable to withdraw more than $500 from an ATM on a given day. The cap is a transaction rule, not a balance rule.
Withdrawing more than your daily limit
If you need more than $500 in cash, visit a Bank of America branch during business hours and withdraw from a teller. Teller withdrawals do not count against your ATM limit and have no daily cap, as long as the branch has the cash on hand. Call ahead if you need a very large withdrawal—branches may need to order cash from their regional vault.
You can also split your withdrawal across two calendar days. Withdraw $500 on Day 1, then wait until after midnight and withdraw another $500 on Day 2. This is slower but works if you do not need the full amount immediately.
Some customers use a combination of methods: withdraw the maximum from an ATM, then visit a branch for the remainder. This is a practical option if you need cash urgently and your limit is lower than the standard $500.
When your withdrawal limit may be lower than $500
New Bank of America customers often start with a lower daily ATM limit—sometimes as low as $100 or $300—until the bank has more history with the account. This limit usually increases to the standard $500 after 30 to 90 days of normal account activity.
If you have had overdrafts, fraud alerts, or other account issues, Bank of America may temporarily lower your limit or hold it below $500. The bank uses these restrictions as a risk-management tool. Once the issue is resolved and time has passed, the limit typically returns to normal.
Some specialty accounts—such as student accounts or accounts with limited features—may have permanently lower limits. Check your account agreement or call customer service to confirm what limit applies to your specific account type.
ATM fees and out-of-network withdrawals
Bank of America does not charge a fee when you withdraw from a Bank of America ATM or an Allpoint network ATM. Allpoint is a surcharge-free network that Bank of America customers can use at no cost. You can find Allpoint ATMs at many retail locations, including CVS, Walgreens, and grocery stores.
If you use an ATM that is not owned by Bank of America or Allpoint, both the ATM operator and Bank of America may charge you a fee. The ATM operator's fee (called a surcharge) typically ranges from $1 to $3. Bank of America's out-of-network fee is usually $2.50 per transaction. These fees are charged in addition to your withdrawal, so a $100 withdrawal could cost you $3 to $5.50 in fees.
To avoid fees, use the ATM locator on the Bank of America website or mobile app to find a Bank of America or Allpoint ATM near you before you withdraw.
What happens if you try to withdraw more than your limit
If you attempt to withdraw more than your daily limit at an ATM, the machine will reject the transaction. The ATM will display a message saying the withdrawal exceeds your limit and will not dispense cash. Your card will be returned, and no money will be taken from your account.
A rejected withdrawal does not hurt your credit or your account standing. It simply means the ATM enforced the rule. You can try again the next day after midnight, or you can visit a branch to withdraw from a teller instead.
If you see a message that your card has been blocked or declined for a different reason, contact Bank of America immediately. This could indicate fraud, a frozen account, or another issue that requires attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw more than $500 if I call the bank first?
No. The daily ATM limit is a system-level restriction that applies regardless of whether you have notified the bank. However, you can visit a branch and withdraw from a teller, who can give you any amount up to what you have in your account. Teller withdrawals bypass the ATM limit entirely.
Does the $500 limit reset at midnight in my time zone or Bank of America's time zone?
The limit resets at midnight Eastern Time, regardless of where you live or what time zone you are in. If you live on the West Coast and withdraw $500 at 11 p.m. Pacific Time, that counts as a withdrawal on the same calendar day in Eastern Time, so you cannot withdraw again until after midnight Eastern Time (which is 9 p.m. Pacific Time the next day).
What if I have multiple Bank of America accounts?
Each account has its own separate daily ATM withdrawal limit. A $500 withdrawal from your checking account does not reduce the limit on your savings account. However, if you use the same debit card to access both accounts, the limit applies to that card, not to each account individually.
Can I increase my limit permanently?
Yes. When you call or visit a branch to request a higher limit, you can ask for a permanent increase rather than a temporary one. Bank of America will consider your account history and may grant a permanent raise to your limit. However, the bank reserves the right to lower your limit again if your account shows signs of fraud or other risk factors.
Do international ATM withdrawals count toward my daily limit?
Yes. If you withdraw from a Bank of America ATM or partner ATM while traveling outside the United States, that withdrawal counts toward your $500 daily limit. You may also be charged a foreign transaction fee in addition to any ATM fees. Check with Bank of America before traveling to understand what fees apply and whether you should request a temporary limit increase.