Bank of America ATM Withdrawal Limits and How They Work
Daily withdrawal limits at Bank of America ATMs
Bank of America sets a standard daily ATM withdrawal limit of $500 for most checking and savings accounts. This means you cannot withdraw more than $500 in a single calendar day using an ATM, even if you have more money in your account. The limit resets at midnight Eastern Time.
Your actual limit may be different depending on your account type and your banking history with Bank of America. Some accounts come with higher limits built in, while others start lower. If you have had overdraft issues or recent fraud on your account, Bank of America may temporarily lower your limit as a security measure.
The $500 limit applies to all Bank of America-branded ATMs nationwide. It also applies when you use your Bank of America debit card at ATMs owned by other banks or networks, though those ATMs may have their own separate limits that could be lower.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America's standard daily ATM withdrawal limit is $500 per calendar day for most accounts, resetting at midnight Eastern Time.
- Your personal limit may be higher or lower than $500 depending on your account type, account age, and account history.
- You can request a temporary or permanent increase to your withdrawal limit by calling Bank of America or visiting a branch in person.
- If you need cash beyond your limit, you can withdraw from a teller inside a Bank of America branch during business hours without hitting the ATM limit.
- Attempting to withdraw more than your limit will result in a declined transaction, and some ATMs may charge a fee for the attempt.
How to find your personal withdrawal limit
Your exact daily limit is tied to your specific account and card, not to all Bank of America customers equally. The easiest way to learn your limit is to call Bank of America's customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and ask a representative. They can tell you your current limit in less than a minute.
You can also log into your Bank of America online account or mobile app and look for account settings or card settings. Some account types display the limit there, though not all do. If you cannot find it in the app, a phone call is faster than guessing.
Another way to discover your limit is to attempt a withdrawal slightly above what you think it is. If the ATM declines the transaction, you have hit your limit. This is not ideal because some ATMs charge a fee for a declined withdrawal attempt, but it will tell you where your limit sits.
Requesting a higher withdrawal limit
If $500 is not enough for your needs, you can request Bank of America to raise your daily ATM limit. The process is straightforward: call 1-800-432-1000, speak to a representative, and ask for a limit increase. Be prepared to explain why you need the higher amount — for example, if you run a small business that pays employees in cash, or if you are traveling and need more cash on hand.
Bank of America may approve a temporary increase (valid for a set number of days) or a permanent increase to your account. Approval is not may provide and depends on your account history, how long you have banked with them, and whether you have had any fraud or overdraft problems. If you have been a customer for years with a clean account record, approval is more likely.
If you need the higher limit urgently, visiting a Bank of America branch in person may be faster than calling. A banker at the branch can often process the request while you wait and may be able to approve it on the spot for that day.
Withdrawing cash without hitting the ATM limit
The $500 daily ATM limit does not explore to cash withdrawals made inside a Bank of America branch with a teller. You can walk into any Bank of America location during business hours, present your debit card or account information, and withdraw as much cash as you need — within reason and subject to the branch having that amount on hand.
Branches typically keep large amounts of cash available, but if you need several thousand dollars, it is wise to call ahead and let them know. This gives the branch time to order the cash if needed. You will need to show a photo ID to withdraw cash as a teller.
This option works well if you have a Bank of America branch near your home or workplace. If you do not, or if you need cash outside of business hours, you are limited to the ATM withdrawal limit unless you request a temporary increase in advance.
Why Bank of America has withdrawal limits
ATM withdrawal limits exist for two main reasons: fraud prevention and cash management. If someone steals your debit card, a low daily limit means they cannot drain your entire account in one visit to an ATM. This protects your money while the fraud is being investigated.
The second reason is practical. ATMs have physical cash inside them, and banks need to manage how much cash is in circulation and how often machines need to be refilled. A $500 limit per person helps may support the machine does not run out of cash during busy times.
These limits are set by individual banks, not by a federal rule. Different banks have different limits, and Bank of America's $500 standard is in the middle range compared to other major banks.
What happens if you try to withdraw more than your limit
If you attempt to withdraw more than your daily limit, the ATM will decline the transaction. The screen will display a message saying something like "Withdrawal amount exceeds daily limit" or "Transaction declined." Your card will be returned, and no money will come out.
Some ATMs charge a fee for a declined transaction, typically $1 to $3. This fee is charged by the ATM operator, not by Bank of America, though it may still show up on your Bank of America statement. If the ATM is owned by Bank of America, there is usually no fee for a declined withdrawal.
A declined withdrawal does not affect your account or your card. You can try again the next day once your daily limit resets, or you can visit a branch to withdraw from a teller instead.
ATM limits when traveling or using other banks' machines
When you use your Bank of America debit card at an ATM owned by another bank or network, you are subject to both your Bank of America limit and the other bank's limit — whichever is lower. For example, if another bank's ATM has a $300 daily limit and Bank of America's is $500, you can only withdraw $300 that day.
Bank of America is part of the Allpoint network, which means you can use thousands of ATMs worldwide without paying an out-of-network fee. However, those ATMs still have their own withdrawal limits. Before traveling internationally, call Bank of America to ask about limits at ATMs in the countries you are visiting.
If you are traveling and know you will need more cash than your limit allows, request a temporary increase before you leave. This is much easier than trying to arrange it from abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw more than $500 if I have more than $500 in my account?
No. The $500 daily ATM limit is separate from your account balance. Even if you have $10,000 in your account, you cannot withdraw more than $500 per day from an ATM. You would need to visit a branch and withdraw from a teller, or request a higher limit in advance.
Does the ATM limit reset at midnight or at a specific time?
Bank of America's daily limit resets at midnight Eastern Time, regardless of what time zone you are in. If you withdraw $500 at 11 p.m. Eastern Time, you can withdraw another $500 after midnight, even if only one hour has passed in your local time zone.
What if I forgot my PIN and cannot withdraw cash?
If you cannot remember your PIN, you can reset it through the Bank of America mobile app, online banking, or by calling 1-800-432-1000. Once your PIN is reset, you can use the ATM normally. You can also visit a branch and withdraw cash from a teller without needing a PIN — just bring your debit card and photo ID.
Do savings accounts have different withdrawal limits than checking accounts?
Bank of America's standard $500 daily ATM limit applies to both checking and savings accounts. However, some specialty accounts or accounts with higher tiers of service may have different limits. Call customer service to confirm your specific account's limit.
Can I request a permanent increase to my withdrawal limit?
Yes. You can request a permanent increase by calling 1-800-432-1000 or visiting a branch. Bank of America will review your account history and may approve a higher limit. Permanent increases are more likely if you have been a customer for a long time and have a clean account record with no fraud or overdraft issues.
This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.