Bank Policy Cheat Sheet (quick reference)

1) Overdraft Fee Forgiveness / Waiver Programs
- Many banks offer one-time courtesy waivers or short “forgiveness” windows that allow a fee to be reversed if you cover the negative balance quickly.
- Example approach: Deposit enough to cover the item by the next business day and request the “fee forgiveness” program.

2) Opt-in Rules & Debit Card Overdrafts
- Banks often require explicit opt-in for debit card overdraft coverage; if you never opted in, debit card transactions should usually be declined rather than charged a fee.
- Check your account disclosures and opt-in settings in online banking.

3) Grace / Forgiveness Periods
- Some banks give customers until the end of the next business day to make a qualifying deposit to avoid or reverse a fee. Timing matters — act fast.

4) Fee Stacking & Posting Order
- The order in which transactions post can affect overdrafts. Smaller transactions posted first can trigger multiple overdraft fees.
- Ask the bank about posting order and whether they offer small-business style batching to reduce multiple fees.

5) Linked Account Transfers
- Overdraft protection via a linked savings or line of credit may trigger transfer fees; compare those fees to overdraft charges before opting in.

6) Documentation & Escalation Tips
- Always ask for an agent name, reference number, and exact reason for denial.
- If denied, escalate to a supervisor, then file a complaint with CFPB or state agency if unresolved.

7) Prevention Tools
- Set low-balance alerts.
- Keep a small “float” or buffer in the account.
- Use automatic transfers to cover timing gaps.

Use this sheet to guide calls, emails, or written complaints. Do not accept vague refusals — ask for specifics and keep records.