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Updated August 2026.
How much is Zions Bank’s overdraft fee? Zions Bank charges $29 per item, up to 5 fees a day, but only on transactions it actually pays into overdraft. There is no fee if your account is $30 or less negative at the end of the day, and Zions Bank does not charge a separate NSF fee for items it declines.
| Zions Bank overdraft, at a glance | What it means |
|---|---|
| Overdraft fee | $29 per item, up to 5 fees per business day |
| No-fee cushion | No fee if overdrawn by $30 or less at end of day |
| Returned-item (NSF) fee | $0. Zions Bank does not charge one |
| ATM and everyday debit card coverage | Off by default. Only charged if you opt in to Debit Card Overdraft Service |
| Recurring debit, check, ACH transactions | Can be paid into overdraft and charged the $29 fee |
| Account | Figures describe Zions Bank personal checking under standard overdraft practices |
Fees verified August 27, 2026 from Zions Bank’s Personal Accounts Schedule of Fees (Overdraft Fee Paid Items $29; NSF Returned Items $0; $30 end-of-day cushion; max five per-item fees per business day).
How Zions Bank’s overdraft fee works
Zions Bank charges $29 each time it pays an item that overdraws your account, whether that is a check, an ACH payment, a recurring debit card charge, or (if you have opted in) an ATM or everyday debit card transaction. The bank caps this at 5 per-item fees in a single business day.
The $30 cushion
Zions Bank will not charge an overdraft fee if your account is overdrawn by $30 or less after all of that day’s credit and debit transactions post. This cushion was raised from $5 in 2022, alongside the bank eliminating its old continuing-overdraft fee and cutting NSF fees to $0.
Does Zions Bank charge a returned-item (NSF) fee?
No. Zions Bank’s own fee schedule lists the Insufficient Funds (NSF) fee at $0 for any transaction the bank returns or declines because it would overdraw the account. That change took effect in 2022 alongside the bank’s other overdraft reforms.
ATM and everyday debit card transactions
Zions Bank only charges the $29 fee on an ATM withdrawal or a one-time debit card purchase if you have specifically opted in to Debit Card Overdraft Service. Without that opt-in, those transactions are simply declined at no cost.
How Zions 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 | Zions Bank |
|---|---|
| Overdraft fee vs. $26.77 average | $29 per item, slightly above the $26.77 average, capped at 5/day |
| NSF fee vs. $16.82 average | $0, well below the $16.82 average |
How to avoid overdraft fees and mistakes
- Stay inside the $30 cushion. Ending the day $30 or less negative avoids the fee entirely.
- Skip the debit card overdraft opt-in if you would rather have a purchase declined than pay $29.
- Set up balance alerts through Zions Bank’s online or mobile banking.
- Use Overdraft Protection to link a savings account, Flex-Line, or credit card as a backup.
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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 |
|---|---|---|
| Zions Bank | $29, up to 5/day | $30 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 |
| Ally Bank (Spending Account) | $0, none charged | No cap needed |
| U.S. Bank (Smartly) | $36 per item over $5 | $50 buffer + Fee Forgiven |
See fee details for more banks on our overdraft fees by bank comparison page.
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FAQ
How much is Zions Bank’s overdraft fee?
Zions Bank charges $29 per item, up to 5 fees per business day.
What is Zions Bank’s overdraft cushion?
Zions Bank will not charge a fee if your account is overdrawn by $30 or less after all transactions post for the day.
Does Zions Bank charge an NSF fee?
No. Zions Bank eliminated its NSF fee in 2022 and currently lists it at $0.
Can Zions Bank overdraft my debit card or ATM withdrawal?
Only if you opt in to Debit Card Overdraft Service. Otherwise those transactions decline for free.
How many overdraft fees can Zions Bank charge in one day?
Up to 5 per-item overdraft fees per business day.
Does Zions Bank charge for overdraft protection transfers?
A transfer fee applies for transfers over $10 from a linked deposit account or Flex-Line; check your specific account’s disclosure for the exact amount.
