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Updated August 2026.
How much is Popular Bank’s overdraft fee? Popular Bank charges $34 when it pays an overdraft over $50, capped at 3 fees a day. There is no fee if your account is overdrawn by $50 or less, and no fee for declined or returned items.
| Popular Bank overdraft, at a glance | What it means |
|---|---|
| Overdraft fee | $34 per paid overdraft over $50, up to 3 charges per day |
| No-fee cushion | No fee if the account is overdrawn by $50 or less |
| Declined or returned items | $0. No fee when Popular declines or returns the item |
| Monthly service fee (Everyday Checking) | $10, waived with $1,000 average balance or $750 monthly direct deposit |
| Account | Figures describe Popular Everyday Checking (and Prestige Checking for the same $34/$50 terms) |
Fees verified August 30, 2026 from Popular Bank’s Checking Accounts page, Popular Everyday Checking page, and Popular’s Debit Card / ATM Overdraft Coverage form.
How Popular Bank’s overdraft fee works
On Popular Everyday Checking and Popular Prestige Checking, Popular charges $34 when it pays an overdraft transaction greater than $50, with a daily limit of 3 paid-overdraft fees. Popular’s own overdraft coverage form also says there is no fee for returned overdraft transactions.
The $50 cushion
Popular will not charge an overdraft fee if your account is overdrawn by $50 or less. Declined transactions are never charged a fee either.
Which Popular Bank account is this?
Popular Everyday Checking is the mainstream personal checking option (marketed as “Bank with ease”). It has a $10 monthly fee that is waived by keeping a $1,000 average balance or setting up $750 in monthly direct deposits. Popular Easy Access Checking has no overdraft coverage at all; shortfalls decline for free. Popular Prestige Checking uses the same $34 fee and $50 cushion, and its benefits list includes rebates for up to two overdraft fees per month.
How Popular 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 | Popular Bank |
|---|---|
| Overdraft fee vs. $26.77 average | $34 per item, above the $26.77 average |
| NSF fee vs. $16.82 average | $0, well below the $16.82 average |
How to avoid overdraft fees and mistakes
- Stay inside the $50 cushion to avoid the fee entirely.
- Consider Easy Access Checking if you would rather every shortfall decline for free.
- Set up mobile balance alerts to catch a low balance before a transaction posts.
- Keep the $1,000 average balance on Everyday Checking to also skip the $10 monthly fee.
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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 |
|---|---|---|
| Popular Bank (Everyday Checking) | $34, up to 3/day | $50 cushion, no fee on declines |
| 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 comparison page.
Compare cash advance apps that can cover a shortfall. If you keep landing in overdraft, an app that fronts you a small amount until payday may cost less than repeat bank fees.
FAQ
How much is Popular Bank’s overdraft fee?
Popular charges $34 when it pays an overdraft over $50, up to 3 charges per day on Everyday and Prestige Checking.
Is there a cushion before Popular Bank charges an overdraft fee?
Yes. No fee applies if your account is overdrawn by $50 or less.
Does Popular Bank charge for a declined transaction?
No. Declined or returned items do not get an overdraft fee.
Does Popular Bank have a checking account with no overdraft coverage?
Yes. Easy Access Checking has no overdraft coverage; transactions decline for free if funds are short.
How do I avoid Popular Bank’s $10 monthly fee?
On Everyday Checking, maintain a $1,000 average monthly balance or set up recurring monthly direct deposits totaling at least $750.
Do Popular’s higher checking tiers have different overdraft terms?
Prestige Checking uses the same $34 fee and $50 cushion as Everyday Checking. Prestige also lists rebates for up to two overdraft fees per month among its benefits.