Truist's overdraft limits depend on your account type and history
Truist does not publish a single overdraft limit that applies to all customers. Instead, the bank sets an individual limit based on your account type, how long you have banked with them, your deposit history, and your past overdraft behavior. A new customer with a checking account might have a limit of $500, while an established customer with direct deposit could have $1,000 or more. The only way to know your specific limit is to log into your online banking, call Truist customer service at 1-800-872-2657, or visit a branch and ask.
Truist offers two overdraft services: Overdraft Protection (which links to a savings account or line of credit and transfers funds automatically) and Overdraft Courtesy (which allows negative balances up to your limit). These work differently, charge different fees, and have different limits. Overdraft Protection has no limit beyond what your linked account holds. Overdraft Courtesy is what most people mean when they ask about overdraft limits, and that is the one Truist controls per customer.
Key Takeaways
- Truist sets overdraft limits individually based on account type, banking history, and deposit patterns—there is no standard limit for all customers.
- You can find your overdraft limit by logging into online banking, calling 1-800-872-2657, or visiting a branch in person.
- Overdraft Courtesy charges $35 per transaction that overdraws your account, and you can incur multiple fees in a single day.
- Truist allows up to four overdraft fees per day, meaning your account can go negative by thousands of dollars if you overdraft multiple times.
- Overdraft Protection (linking to savings or a line of credit) avoids overdraft fees but may charge a transfer fee depending on your account type.
What happens when you overdraft your Truist account
When you make a transaction that exceeds your available balance, Truist can either decline it or allow it to go through and charge you an overdraft fee. If Overdraft Courtesy is enabled on your account, the transaction goes through and you are charged $35 per overdraft. Truist processes transactions in a specific order—typically largest to smallest—which means you can overdraft multiple times in a single day even if you only made a few purchases.
Truist caps overdraft fees at four per day, meaning the maximum you can be charged in overdraft fees in one day is $140. However, your account balance can go negative by much more than that if you overdraft on large transactions. For example, if you have $100 in your account and make a $500 purchase, $300 purchase, and $200 purchase in the same day, all three could overdraft, costing you $105 in fees ($35 × 3) while your balance drops to negative $900.
How to find your specific overdraft limit
Your overdraft limit is not the same as your overdraft fee cap. Your limit is the maximum negative balance Truist will allow before declining further transactions. To find this number, log into Truist Online Banking or the Truist mobile app, go to your checking account details, and look for "Overdraft Limit" or "Available Credit for Overdraft." If you do not see it listed, call Truist at 1-800-872-2657 and ask a representative for your overdraft limit on your specific account.
When you call, have your account number ready. The representative can also tell you whether Overdraft Courtesy is currently enabled, what your overdraft fee structure is, and whether you have Overdraft Protection set up. If you have multiple Truist accounts, each one may have a different limit.
Overdraft Protection as an alternative to overdraft fees
If you want to avoid the $35 overdraft fee, Truist offers Overdraft Protection, which automatically transfers money from a linked account (savings, money market, or line of credit) when your checking account would overdraft. This transfer happens instantly and prevents the overdraft from occurring at all, so you are not charged the $35 fee. Instead, you may be charged a transfer fee—usually $0 to $10 depending on your account type and the linked account.
To set up Overdraft Protection, log into online banking, call 1-800-872-2657, or visit a branch. You will need to link a Truist savings account, money market account, or Truist line of credit. The protection only works if the linked account has sufficient funds. If both accounts are empty, the transaction will still be declined and you will not be charged a fee.
Overdraft limits for different Truist account types
Truist offers several checking account types, and overdraft limits can vary by account. A basic checking account typically has a lower overdraft limit than a premium account. Accounts with direct deposit, a minimum balance, or a longer banking history often may have access to for higher limits. Truist also offers student checking and senior checking accounts, which may have different overdraft policies.
Business checking accounts have separate overdraft rules and limits. If you have a business account with Truist, your overdraft limit and fee structure may differ from personal accounts. Contact your business banker or call the business banking line for details on your account's overdraft terms.
What to do if you overdraft and cannot pay it back immediately
If your account goes negative and you cannot cover the overdraft right away, contact Truist as soon as possible. Explain the situation to a representative—overdraft fees can sometimes be waived, especially if you have a good banking history or if the overdraft was caused by an error. Truist is not required to waive fees, but asking may result in a one-time courtesy reversal.
If you have overdraft fees that you dispute, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. Document the dates, amounts, and circumstances of the overdrafts. Keep records of any communication with Truist about the fees. The CFPB investigates complaints and can pressure banks to refund disputed fees, though this process takes time.
How to lower your overdraft risk
The simplest way to avoid overdraft fees is to keep a buffer of money in your checking account—typically $100 to $500 depending on your spending patterns. Set up account alerts in Truist Online Banking to notify you when your balance falls below a certain amount. Truist sends these alerts via email or text message and can help you catch low balances before you overdraft.
Another strategy is to turn off Overdraft Courtesy entirely if you prefer transactions to be declined rather than charged a fee. You can do this through online banking or by calling 1-800-872-2657. With Overdraft Courtesy disabled, any transaction that exceeds your available balance will simply be declined at the point of sale or ATM, and you will not be charged a fee. This prevents surprise overdraft charges but may result in declined debit card transactions or bounced checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a higher overdraft limit from Truist?
Yes. Call 1-800-872-2657 or visit a branch and ask to increase your overdraft limit. Truist will review your account history and may approve a higher limit if you have been a customer for a while and have not had problems with overdrafts. There is no may provide, and the bank may decline your request.
Does Truist charge overdraft fees on ATM withdrawals?
Yes. If you withdraw more than your available balance at a Truist ATM or another bank's ATM, and Overdraft Courtesy is enabled, you will be charged the $35 overdraft fee. The withdrawal will go through and your account will go negative.
What is the difference between overdraft fees and NSF fees?
An overdraft fee is charged when Truist allows a transaction to go through even though your balance is negative. An NSF (non-sufficient funds) fee is charged when Truist declines a transaction because you do not have enough money. If Overdraft Courtesy is on, you get overdraft fees. If it is off, you get NSF fees instead.
Can I have overdraft protection on multiple linked accounts?
Yes. You can link multiple savings accounts, money market accounts, or lines of credit to your checking account for Overdraft Protection. Truist will draw from them in the order you specify when your checking account would overdraft.
How long does it take for an overdraft to be reversed if I deposit money?
If you deposit money to cover an overdraft, the deposit typically posts within one business day. The overdraft fee itself is not automatically reversed—you must contact Truist and request a reversal, which they may or may not grant.