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Updated August 2026.
How much is Commerce Bank’s overdraft fee? Commerce Bank charges $36 whenever a transaction overdraws your account by $1 or more, whether the item is paid or returned. There is no separate NSF fee and no free cushion: the fee applies as soon as your balance goes negative, though Commerce’s Overdraft Grace Period gives you until 7 p.m. on the second business day to fix it.
| Commerce Bank overdraft, at a glance | What it means |
|---|---|
| Overdraft/Insufficient Funds fee | $36. One combined fee whether the item is paid or returned |
| No-fee cushion | None. Fee applies once you are overdrawn by $1 or more |
| Overdraft Grace Period | No fee if you bring your Available Balance to $0 or more by 7 p.m. on the second business day |
| Overdraft Transfer (linked account) | $13 per occurrence, once per day, covers all that day’s overdrafts |
| Check Plus Overdraft Protection (credit card cash advance) | 5% cash advance fee (min $10) plus the card’s cash advance interest rate |
| Account | Figures describe Commerce Free Checking and Commerce Interest Checking |
Fees verified August 26, 2026 from Commerce Bank’s Personal Checking fee schedule, Commerce Bank’s Overdraft Grace Period page, and Commerce Bank’s Overdraft Services page.
How Commerce Bank’s overdraft fee works
Commerce Bank charges a single $36 fee labeled “Overdraft/Insufficient Funds” any time your account balance goes negative by $1 or more, whether Commerce pays the transaction (an overdraft) or returns it unpaid (an NSF item). Unlike many banks, Commerce does not list these as two separate fees.
The Overdraft Grace Period
Commerce gives you a second chance before the fee sticks. If a transaction overdraws your account, you have until 7:00 p.m. on the second business day to bring your Available Balance back to $0 or more. A qualifying deposit, cash, a valid check, or a transfer from another Commerce account, avoids the fee. Mobile check deposits and external transfers may not post in time to count, so an in-branch, ATM, or internal Commerce transfer is the more reliable option if you are close to the deadline.
Overdraft protection options
Commerce offers two ways to avoid the fee altogether. Overdraft Transfer links a savings or other Commerce deposit account and moves money automatically, charging a flat $13 no matter how many transactions it covers that day. Check Plus Overdraft Protection instead draws a cash advance from a Commerce credit card, at a 5% cash advance fee (minimum $10) plus that card’s ongoing interest rate.
How Commerce Bank compares to the average U.S. bank
Bankrate’s 2025 checking account and ATM fee study found the average overdraft fee across U.S. banks is $26.77 and the average NSF (non-sufficient funds) fee is $16.82. 61% of accounts surveyed still charge an overdraft fee at all, and 66% offer some kind of grace period or no-fee cushion before charging one.
| Category | Commerce Bank |
|---|---|
| Overdraft fee vs. $26.77 average | $36 per item, above the $26.77 average |
| NSF fee vs. $16.82 average | $36 combined, above the $16.82 average |
How to avoid overdraft fees and mistakes
- Use the Overdraft Grace Period. Fix a negative balance by 7 p.m. on the second business day and the fee drops off.
- Link a savings account for Overdraft Transfer. One flat $13 covers every overdraft that day.
- Watch your balance closely, since there is no free cushion before the fee applies.
- Deposit in person or by ATM/internal transfer if you are racing the grace period deadline, since mobile deposits can post too late.
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How this compares to other banks
Here is how this account lines up against a few named banks we track, using each bank’s own current fee schedule.
| Bank (typical account) | Overdraft fee | No-fee cushion |
|---|---|---|
| Commerce Bank | $36, no free cushion | Grace period to next business day+1 |
| Huntington (Asterisk-Free) | $15, up to 3/day | $50 Safety Zone + 24-Hour Grace |
| Chase (Total Checking) | $34, up to 3/day | $50 buffer + Overdraft Assist |
| U.S. Bank (Smartly) | $36 per item over $5 | $50 buffer + Fee Forgiven |
| Ally Bank (Spending Account) | $0, none charged | No cap needed |
See fee details for more banks on our overdraft fees by bank comparison page.
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FAQ
How much is Commerce Bank’s overdraft fee?
Commerce Bank charges $36 as a combined overdraft/insufficient funds fee once your balance goes negative by $1 or more.
Does Commerce Bank charge a separate NSF fee?
No. Commerce Bank uses one combined $36 fee whether the item is paid (overdraft) or returned unpaid (NSF).
Is there a free cushion before Commerce Bank charges an overdraft fee?
No. The fee can apply as soon as your account is overdrawn by $1 or more, though the Overdraft Grace Period can undo it.
How does Commerce Bank’s Overdraft Grace Period work?
If you bring your Available Balance to $0 or more by 7 p.m. on the second business day after an overdraft, the fee is not charged.
How much does Commerce Bank’s Overdraft Transfer cost?
$13 per occurrence, charged once per day no matter how many overdrafts it covers that day.
What is Check Plus Overdraft Protection at Commerce Bank?
A cash advance from a linked Commerce credit card, charged at a 5% cash advance fee (minimum $10) plus the card’s cash advance interest rate.
