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Updated August 2026.
How much is America First Credit Union’s overdraft fee? America First Credit Union charges $25 per presentment for a paid overdraft, and the same $25 for a returned NSF item. Debit card and ATM overdrafts only happen if you opt in; otherwise those transactions are simply declined.
| America First Credit Union overdraft, at a glance | What it means |
|---|---|
| Overdraft Service Fee (paid overdraft) | $25 per presentment |
| Overdraft EFT Fee (returned NSF item) | $25 per presentment |
| ATM and debit card coverage | Off by default. Only charged if you opt in to overdraft services on those transaction types |
| Overdraft protection | Line of credit available; standard courtesy pay on eligible accounts |
| No-fee cushion | Not specified in America First’s public fee schedule |
| Account | Figures describe America First’s Classic and Regular Checking accounts |
Fees verified August 27, 2026 from America First’s Rate & Fee Schedule (effective August 26, 2026) and America First’s Overdraft Service page.
How America First’s overdraft fee works
America First Credit Union charges $25 each time it presents an item into overdraft, whether the transaction is paid (Overdraft Service Fee) or the item is an electronic transaction returned unpaid (Overdraft EFT Fee). Both fees are the same $25 amount. A transaction that is authorized and resubmitted multiple times can trigger the fee more than once.
ATM and debit card transactions
By default, America First will not authorize an ATM withdrawal or an everyday debit card purchase that would overdraw your account. Those transactions are simply declined. If you would rather have those transactions covered, you can opt in to Debit Card Overdraft Service online or at a branch, at which point the $25 fee can apply to them too.
Overdraft protection options
America First’s Overdraft Service can, at the credit union’s discretion, pay overdrafts on eligible accounts drawing from a line of credit or other approved sources. Members who would rather avoid the discretionary courtesy-pay model can look into linking savings for automatic transfers instead, subject to the credit union’s account terms.
How America First Credit Union 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 | America First Credit Union |
|---|---|
| Overdraft fee vs. $26.77 average | $25 per item, below the $26.77 average |
| NSF fee vs. $16.82 average | $25 combined into the same fee, above the $16.82 average |
How to avoid overdraft fees and mistakes
- Skip the debit card overdraft opt-in if you would rather have a purchase declined than pay $25.
- Watch your balance closely, since no specific free cushion is published.
- Ask about linking a savings account for lower-cost overdraft protection than the discretionary courtesy-pay fee.
- Set up low-balance alerts through America First’s online or mobile banking.
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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 |
|---|---|---|
| America First Credit Union | $25, paid or returned | No published free cushion |
| Navy Federal Credit Union | $20, max 1/day | $50 end-of-day cushion; $20 item floor |
| 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 |
| 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 America First Credit Union’s overdraft fee?
America First charges $25 per presentment, whether the transaction is paid (Overdraft Service Fee) or an electronic item is returned (Overdraft EFT Fee).
Does America First Credit Union charge a separate NSF fee?
Its returned-item fee, called the Overdraft EFT Fee, is the same $25 amount as the paid-overdraft fee.
Can America First overdraft my debit card or ATM withdrawal?
Only if you opt in to Debit Card Overdraft Service. Otherwise those transactions are declined for free.
Is there a free cushion before America First charges an overdraft fee?
America First’s public fee schedule does not list a specific dollar cushion. Check your account disclosures directly for the current terms.
Can a single transaction trigger more than one America First overdraft fee?
Yes. A transaction that is authorized and resubmitted multiple times can be charged the fee more than once per submission.
Does America First offer an overdraft line of credit?
Members can be approved for overdraft coverage through a line of credit, subject to credit approval and the credit union’s discretion.
