It’s difficult to manage your budget when food and energy prices are soaring. The slightest slippage can push the bank account into the red. But overdraft is expensive: “For example, it represents almost half of the fees paid during the year by the employee profile of the annual barometer of banking rates that we carry out for The world »underlines Adeline Moisiard, marketing director of Panorabanques.
The bill is particularly painful in the event of an unauthorized overdraft (or beyond the authorized limit), because it triggers a series of snowballing charges. “You must, if possible, negotiate an authorized overdraft with your bank. In this case, the costs will be lower »confirms Mme Moldy.
Please note, the establishment or management of the authorized overdraft is invoiced by almost a third of banks, for an average price of 19 euros in 2024, an increase of 6% over one year. In the presence of an overdraft authorization, there are no incident fees. The agios, on the other hand, remain due. They are between 7% and 8% for online banks, double in networks. “It is possible to negotiate a personalized rate with your bank”specifies Mme Moldy.
Overdraft not subject to authorization (or beyond the authorized ceiling) costs much more. It all starts with intervention commissions – their amount is capped at 8 euros per operation, within the limit of 80 euros per month. “Only three networks, Crédit Coopératif (5 euros), Crédit Mutuel de Maine-Anjou et Basse-Normandie (7.75 euros) and La Banque Postale (7.90 euros) display rates lower than the legal ceiling”, notes Adeline Moisiard. Online banks do not charge an intervention commission, with the exception of Monabanq (8 euros).
Budget diagnosis
Add the cost of the unauthorized debit account information letter, sent to inform the account holder of the situation, to 12.70 euros on average in establishments charging for it. Around a quarter of banks do not do this, like online banks and some networks, such as La Banque Postale and Banque Populaire Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.
Furthermore, an account in the red can lead to collateral damage, such as direct debit rejection fees, or non-executed permanent transfers because the account balance is insufficient.
If you need to be aware of the costs to which you are exposed by being in the red, the ideal is to avoid finding yourself in this situation. “Having occasional recourse to an overdraft authorization is part of everyday management, but its persistent and significant use can be worryingnotes Mark Béguery, director of personal services at the Banque de France. For example, you can contact a budget advice point offering a budget diagnosis: this prevention is essential to avoid getting bogged down in a lasting overdraft. » There are 500 budget advice points in Francelabeled by the State, to support households experiencing financial difficulties.
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