Can the bank charge me an over-the-limit fee?
The bank can only charge you an overlimit fee if you have agreed to participate in its over-the-limit coverage program.
The bank must give you certain disclosures before you agree to participate in its over-the-limit coverage program, including the amount of the over-the-limit fee. After you consent, the bank must provide you written confirmation of your agreement before it can charge the fee. The bank cannot require you to agree to over-the-limit fees, but it can ask if you would like to participate.
Whether or not you opt-in to over-the-limit fees, transactions that exceed the credit limit may be declined or approved at the bank’s discretion. If you do not opt-in to the over-the-limit fee and the bank allows a charge that exceeds your credit limit to go through, the bank cannot charge you an over-the-limit fee.
If you opt-in to allow transactions that will exceed your credit limit, you can only be charged one fee per billing cycle. Also, the bank cannot charge you an over-the-limit fee for more than three billing cycles for the same over-the-limit transaction.
You can revoke your opt-in choice at any time. The bank must tell you how to revoke your opt-in when it asks you to participate in the program and each time you are charged an over-the-limit fee. If you have questions about how to change your opt-in choice you should contact your bank.
Last Reviewed: April 2021
Please note: The terms "bank" and "banks" used in these answers generally refer to national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches or agencies of foreign banking organizations that are regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Find out if the OCC regulates your bank. Information provided on HelpWithMyBank.gov should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion of the OCC.