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Updated August 2026.
How much is First Horizon’s overdraft fee? First Horizon charges a $35 overdraft fee, up to 3 per day, on FirstView, SmartView, and TotalView. ATM and everyday debit card coverage is off unless you opt in. There is no fee if your account ends the day overdrawn by $5 or less, and First Horizon does not charge a separate NSF fee. Access Checking is different: First Horizon typically does not pay overdrafts on that account, and the overdraft fee is $0.
| First Horizon overdraft, at a glance | What it means |
|---|---|
| Overdraft fee | $35 per item, up to 3 per day ($105 max) |
| No-fee cushion | No fee if you end the day overdrawn by $5 or less |
| ATM and everyday debit card coverage | Off by default. Only charged if you opt in; otherwise those transactions decline for free |
| Checks, ACH, and other transactions | Can still be paid into overdraft and charged the $35 fee unless you opt out |
| Returned-item (NSF) fee | $0. First Horizon does not charge one |
| Overdraft protection transfer | Free, from a linked checking, savings, money market, or home equity line of credit |
| Accounts covered | FirstView, SmartView, and TotalView share the $35 terms. Access Checking typically does not pay overdrafts, and the overdraft fee is $0 |
Fees verified August 17, 2026 from First Horizon’s FirstView Account Service Fee Guide and Access Checking Account Service Fee Guide.
How much is First Horizon’s overdraft fee?
First Horizon charges $35 for each item it pays into overdraft, capped at 3 fees per day, so the most you can pay in one day is $105. That is the same figure on FirstView, SmartView, and TotalView. Access Checking is $0.
The $5 cushion
If your account ends the day overdrawn by $5 or less, First Horizon will not charge an overdraft fee for that day. It is a small cushion compared to some banks, so it mainly helps with rounding-error overdrafts rather than a real shortfall.
ATM and everyday debit card transactions
By default, First Horizon will decline an ATM withdrawal or an everyday debit card purchase if you do not have enough available balance, and a decline costs nothing. Overdraft fees on those transaction types only apply if you specifically opt in for that coverage.
Does First Horizon charge a returned-item (NSF) fee?
No. First Horizon’s fee guides state plainly that no fee is assessed when a transaction is returned for insufficient funds. If a check or payment does not go through, you avoid that charge, though the merchant or payee you were paying may still charge their own fee.
Overdraft protection transfers
You can link a First Horizon checking, savings, money market, or home equity line of credit account to your checking account for overdraft protection. Transfers used to cover a shortfall are free. You are responsible for moving money back into a linked savings account afterward, since First Horizon does not do that automatically.
Which First Horizon checking accounts does this apply to?
First Horizon offers several personal checking tiers, including the no-monthly-fee FirstView account, and higher tiers like SmartView, TotalView, and Access Checking that come with added perks or reduced ATM and wire fees. The $35 fee, 3-per-day cap, and $5 cushion are the same on FirstView, SmartView, and TotalView. Access Checking is a separate product: First Horizon typically does not pay overdrafts on that account, the overdraft fee is $0, and overdraft protection is not offered.
How First Horizon 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 | First Horizon |
|---|---|
| Overdraft fee vs. $26.77 average | $35 per item on FirstView, SmartView, and TotalView, above the $26.77 average. $0 on Access Checking |
| NSF fee vs. $16.82 average | $0, well below the $16.82 average |
How to avoid overdraft fees and mistakes
- Skip opting in to ATM and debit overdraft coverage if you would rather have a purchase declined than pay $35.
- Set up balance alerts through First Horizon’s digital banking to catch a low balance early.
- Link a savings or money market account for free overdraft protection transfers.
- Stay inside the $5 cushion on a tight day to avoid a fee entirely.
- Move money back into savings after an overdraft transfer, since First Horizon does not replenish it automatically.
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How this compares to other banks
Overdraft terms vary a lot by bank. Here is how this account lines up against a few others we track, using each bank’s own current fee schedule.
| Bank (typical account) | Overdraft fee | No-fee cushion |
|---|---|---|
| First Horizon (FirstView/SmartView/TotalView) | $35, up to 3/day | $5 cushion, no NSF fee |
| 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 in our overdraft fees by bank page.
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FAQ
How much is First Horizon’s overdraft fee?
First Horizon charges $35 per item, capped at 3 fees per day, for a maximum of $105 in one day.
Is there a cushion before First Horizon charges an overdraft fee?
Yes. If your account ends the day overdrawn by $5 or less, no fee is charged for that day.
Can First Horizon overdraft my debit card or ATM withdrawal?
Only if you opt in for that coverage. Otherwise those transactions are declined for free by default.
Does First Horizon charge a returned-item or NSF fee?
No. First Horizon’s fee guides state that no fee is assessed when a transaction is returned for insufficient funds.
Do all First Horizon checking accounts have the same overdraft terms?
FirstView, SmartView, and TotalView share the same $35 fee, 3-per-day cap, and $5 cushion. Access Checking is different. First Horizon typically does not pay overdrafts on that account, and the overdraft fee is $0.
Is there a fee for First Horizon overdraft protection transfers?
No. Transfers from a linked checking, savings, money market, or home equity line of credit account are free.
