Overdraft Privilege Service

If you have ever written a check or attempted to make a purchase with your Debit Card when you did not have available funds in your account, you know the expense or embarrassment it can cause.

To help you avoid these situations, Brookline Bank offers qualified customers our Overdraft Privilege Service. We generally notify customers by mail when they are qualified for this service. Check with us if you are not sure whether you received this notification.

What You Need to Know about Overdrafts and Overdraft Fees

An overdraft occurs when you do not have enough money available in your account to cover a transaction, but we pay it anyway. We can cover your overdrafts in two different ways:

  1. We have standard overdraft practices that come with your account if you are qualified, called Overdraft Privilege Service.
  2. We also offer several overdraft protection plans, which may be less expensive than our standard overdraft practices. You may use a savings, money market, or another checking account to cover overdrafts. We also offer a line of credit that can protect your account. To learn more about these plans, visit one of our locations or contact our Customer Service Center at 877-668-2265.

What Standard Overdraft Practices Are Available to Me?

With our Overdraft Privilege Service we may authorize and pay overdrafts, up to $800 (including overdraft fees), for the following types of transactions:

  • Checks and other transactions made using your checking account
  • Online banking bill payments
  • Recurring electronic payments

We Will Not Authorize and Pay Overdrafts for the Following Types of Transactions Unless you "Opt In":

  • One-time Debit Card transactions
  • ATM withdrawals


We pay overdrafts at our discretion, which means we do not guarantee that we will always authorize and pay any type of transaction. If we do not authorize and pay an overdraft, your transaction will be declined.

Opt In or Out of Debit Card purchase & ATM withdrawal coverage.

You will be directed to a secure request form. You may change your decision at any time.

What Fees Will I Be charged If Brookline Bank Pays My Overdrafts?

Under our standard overdraft practices (Overdraft Privilege Service):

We will charge you a fee of $35 each time we pay an overdraft.

Frequently Asked Questions about Our Overdraft Privilege Service

Additional information about our Overdraft Privilege Service, including information about fees and repayment obligations, can be found in our FAQs.

For more information, please contact our Customer Service Center at 877-668-2265.