ATM Withdrawal Limits | Banking Advice
Key Takeaways
- Financial institutions place limits on daily ATM withdrawals to protect customer accounts from fraudulent activity.
- Daily ATM withdrawal limits are usually somewhere between $300 and $1,500, but can vary depending on the institution.
- You can raise your daily withdrawal and purchase limits by contacting your bank.
Like most people, you probably have a checking account to manage your daily spending. And when you need cash, you rely on your local ATM.
However, if you’ve ever had to withdraw a large amount of money, you may have been disappointed to find that your transaction wasn’t authorized. Banks place limits on the amount of cash you can withdraw from an ATM each day, and that amount varies by institution and even account.
How Much Can You Withdraw From an ATM Each Day?
Cash withdrawal limits tend to be somewhere between $300 and $1,500 per day, says recently retired Ken Justice, the former head of ATM banking at PNC Bank, although the exact amount varies by bank. “These limits are typically set for security reasons and to protect customer accounts,” he says. For example, if someone gets ahold of your debit card information and attempts to fraudulently pull money out of your checking account, the limits in place may prevent the person from cleaning out your entire account.
“A customer’s personal bank ATM withdrawal limit also may depend on their account type,” Justice says. For instance, new or basic accounts may come with lower limits than premium accounts.
Plus, ATMs can only hold so much cash at once. Limiting the amount of money that can be withdrawn each day ensures there’s enough cash on hand for all customers.
ATM Withdrawal Limits at the Top Banks
How to Increase Your ATM Withdrawal Limits
The easiest way to raise ATM withdrawal limits is to make a request with your bank, according to Justice. “The decision may depend on a number of factors, including banking history, the type of account one holds and the amount of the increase requested,” he explains.
“If it’s for a one-time purchase, a request for a temporary increase may be more appropriate,” Justice adds. For example, if you’re about to go on vacation and need more cash on hand than usual, you may be able to request a one-time increase of your withdrawal limit. Banks tend to grant these requests on a case-by-case basis.
Use this free savings calculator to project how your money can grow over time.
How to Avoid ATM Withdrawal Limits
If you’ve already met your bank’s ATM withdrawal limit for the day but still need some cash, there are a few workarounds:
- Go inside the branch: You can visit your bank’s local branch and request a cash withdrawal from a teller.
- Ask for cash back at checkout: When paying with a debit card, the merchant may give you the option to increase the total amount charged and receive cash back for the difference. Again, you’ll be limited in how much you can withdraw with this method.
- Withdraw from your savings account: You may be able to pull money out of your savings account instead of your checking account via your debit card. Keep in mind that some banks impose a limit on the number of withdrawals you can make from a savings account each month.
What to Do If You Need Cash Quickly
There are other ways to get cash fast if you’re in a pinch, although you may need to pay fees and/or interest. Here are some common options to consider:
- Cash advance. If you have a credit card, you could use it to get a cash advance. This essentially means taking a loan against your line of credit. The amount you borrow is added to your credit card balance, and you can’t borrow more than your available balance. It’s important to note that cash advances usually come with a higher interest rate than your purchase annual percentage rate and begin accruing interest right away. There may also be a fee involved.
- Paycheck advance. Not to be confused with a payday loan, there are several apps that allow you to receive a portion of your paycheck early, including Chime and EarnIn. They charge relatively low fees and don’t require a credit check, although your employer may need to have signed up with one of these companies ahead of time for you to use their services.
- Personal loan. If you need cash for a planned expense, such as home renovations or a big-ticket purchase, you may want to consider a personal loan. These loans can be used for just about any purpose and are usually funded quickly – even within a day or two. They also come with fixed rates that are often much lower than those for credit cards, especially for borrowers with good credit.
Austin Cole contributed to the reporting for this article.
