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DictionaryMoney

Overdraft: what it means

An overdraft happens when you do not have enough money in your account to cover a payment, but the bank or credit union pays it anyway. According to the CFPB, it can happen with checks, ATM withdrawals, debit card purchases, automatic payments and other withdrawals.

In Spanish it is

Sobregiro (overdraft)

Also written as: overdraft fee · overdraft protection · overdraft service

The full explanation

Many banks charge a fee, on top of what you have to pay back. Under Regulation E, they cannot charge that fee for a one-time debit card purchase or an ATM withdrawal unless you first agreed to (opted in to) their overdraft service. You can change your mind later.

An example

When he opens his account, the credit union asks Pedro whether he wants its overdraft service for debit card purchases. Pedro says no, so the credit union cannot charge him an overdraft fee on those purchases.

You will see it in…

  • The form to opt in or out of overdraft service when you open your account
  • Your bank statement, with any overdraft fees
  • Your bank's or credit union's fee schedule
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Official sources

We sum up what these official sources say, in plain words. We add no rules they do not state; when a rule changes, the definition and its date change.

  1. 1. CFPB · Bank account answers: key terms (overdraft) (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026
  2. 2. Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School) · Regulation E, 12 CFR §1005.17, Requirements for overdraft services (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026
  3. 3. NCUA (MyCreditUnion.gov) · Credit Union Accounts & Services (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026