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Bank Statement Terms
What is an NSF fee on a bank statement?
NSF stands for Non-Sufficient Funds. It's a fee your bank charges when a payment bounces — a check, bill payment, or automatic withdrawal that your account can't cover. Here's what it means and how to get it removed.
NSF fee vs overdraft fee: what's the difference?
NSF Fee
Payment bounced — bank said no
- •Balance too low to cover payment
- •Bank returns the transaction unpaid
- •Payee doesn't receive the funds
- •You pay an NSF / returned item fee
- •Payee may charge you a returned check fee too
Overdraft Fee
Payment went through — bank covered it
- •Balance too low, but bank pays anyway
- •Your balance goes negative
- •Payee receives the funds
- •You pay an overdraft fee
- •You owe the bank the negative balance plus the fee
What NSF fees look like on your statement
Different banks use different names for the same charge. All of these are NSF-related fees:
| How it appears on your statement |
|---|
| NSF FEE |
| NSF CHARGE |
| RETURNED ITEM FEE |
| RETURNED PMT FEE |
| INSUFFICIENT FUNDS FEE |
| OVERDRAFT FEE |
| OD FEE |
| RETURNED CHECK FEE |
How much do banks charge for NSF fees?
| Bank | NSF fee |
|---|---|
| Bank of America | $35 |
| Chase | $34 |
| Wells Fargo | $35 |
| Citibank | $34 |
| U.S. Bank | $36 |
| PNC Bank | $36 |
| Capital One | $0 |
| Ally Bank | $0 |
| Chime | $0 |
Fees change periodically — check your bank's fee schedule for current rates.
How to get an NSF fee waived
Call your bank (don't message or email)
Phone calls get results. Call the number on the back of your card, tell the rep you had an NSF fee, and ask if they can waive it as a one-time courtesy. Most banks have a policy of waiving one per year for customers who ask.
Mention your account history
Remind them how long you've been a customer and that this is your first time asking. Banks are more likely to waive fees for long-standing customers with clean histories.
Explain what happened
If the timing was a genuine mistake (payment cleared before a deposit landed), say so. Banks appreciate context, and it helps the rep justify the waiver internally.
Ask about overdraft protection
Once the fee is dealt with, ask the rep to set up a savings account link or small overdraft line — so the same thing doesn't happen again.
How to avoid NSF fees
Set up low balance alerts
Most banks let you set a text or email alert when your balance drops below a threshold (e.g., $100). You'll know before a payment goes out and have time to top up.
Link a backup account
Many banks let you link a savings account or credit card as overdraft protection. If a payment would overdraft you, the bank pulls from the backup — often free or a small transfer fee.
Track your automatic payments
Use a spending analysis tool to see all recurring charges in one place — timing surprises are the most common cause of NSF. Knowing when payments hit helps you keep enough buffer.
Switch to a bank without NSF fees
Capital One, Ally, and Chime have eliminated NSF fees entirely. If you regularly cut it close, switching banks permanently solves the problem.
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Common questions
What does NSF mean on a bank statement?
NSF stands for Non-Sufficient Funds. An NSF fee (also called a returned item fee or insufficient funds fee) is charged by your bank when a payment — a check, ACH debit, or automatic withdrawal — is attempted but your account balance is too low to cover it. The payment bounces and the bank charges you a fee for the failed transaction.
What is the difference between an NSF fee and an overdraft fee?
They're charged for opposite outcomes. An NSF fee is charged when your bank declines the payment and returns it — you had insufficient funds and the bank refused to pay. An overdraft fee is charged when your bank pays the transaction anyway, covering the shortfall and putting your account into a negative balance. Both are triggered by low balances, but NSF means the transaction failed while overdraft means the bank covered it.
Can I get an NSF fee waived?
Yes — call your bank and ask. Most banks will waive one NSF fee per year for customers who ask, especially if you have a good account history and have never asked before. Have the date and amount of the charge ready. Some banks also offer fee-forgiveness programs automatically for accounts that have been in good standing. It's worth calling; the worst they can say is no.
Will an NSF fee affect my credit score?
The NSF fee itself doesn't affect your credit score — bank account fees don't appear on credit reports. However, if a payment bounces (like a loan or credit card payment), the missed payment can be reported to credit bureaus as late or missed, which does hurt your score. The downstream consequences of the missed payment are the credit risk, not the fee itself.
What happens when a check bounces due to NSF?
When a check bounces, your bank returns it unpaid and charges you an NSF fee. The recipient's bank may also charge them a returned check fee ($10–35), and they may pass that cost to you. The payee (person or company you wrote the check to) may also charge a returned check fee and could report you to ChexSystems. For critical payments like rent, a bounced check can have serious consequences.
How can I avoid NSF fees?
Set up low balance alerts so your bank texts you when your balance drops below a threshold. Link a savings account or credit card as an overdraft backup — your bank pulls from it automatically if a payment would overdraft. Many banks also offer overdraft protection lines of credit. Switching to a bank with no NSF fees (Capital One, Ally, Chime) permanently eliminates the risk.