Is a Bank Overdraft the Right Thing for You? Meaning of a Bank Overdraft

A Bank overdraft is a form of short-term credit that allows the holder to overdraw a current account without having to enter into a credit arrangement.

Meaning of a bank overdraft

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Bank Overdraft is a confusing account feature for many people regarding their necessities and benefits. Therefore, title loans Houston professionals have dedicated today’s post to disclosing the meaning and purpose of bank overdrafts and the cases in which this feature can be beneficial or disadvantageous for users.This practically means, that in case an account holder has an outgoing payment that exceeds the amount of funds available in the account, the payment can still be realized due to bank overdraft. Insufficient funds won’t close the transactions as a bank overdraft allows the transaction to be perceived. However, the amount of bank overdraft, that is the amount of money the holder will be able to operate with excluding the money preset in the account is determined by the bank.

When determining the bank overdraft as a possibility and the amount that will be allowed with a bank overdraft for exceeding, the bank will consider a holder’s creditworthiness. Better creditworthiness often means a higher bank overdraft and its conditions and more favored interest terms.

Bank overdraft considers an interest rate. Bank overdraft interest rates are often unfavored and significantly high, especially compared to other types of loans. The interest rates of bank overdrafts are a form of fee for using the money you don`t currently have.

However, there is a possibility for the holder to overdraft the account limit even if they don’t have a bank overdraft approved. Unauthorized overdrafts, as a rule, encompass a very high-interest rate even higher than authorized ones which are considered notable.

As the bank overdraft incorporates an interest rate that requires repayment within 12 months, bank overdrafts are considered short-term credits. Bank overdrafts are revealed as a credit in the balance sheet.

Usually, bank overdrafts are covered with the next payment and after that, the loan doesn’t exist anymore. On the other hand, if a bank overdraft is not covered and remains, it will be reported as a short-term liability on a balance sheet.

How does bank overdraft work?

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When an account holder wants to make a purse that exceeds the number of available funds, the bank approves the overdraft. Bank will proceed with the payment in two ways. The first one is that a bank will automatically transfer needed funds to the associated account. The second way is that bank pays for the purchase on your behalf, creating an obligation between you and the bank. Either way, the bank will most certainly charge fees for processing the transaction.

Advantages of bank overdraft

The bank overdraft is the convenient solution if you do not have enough money in your account, or you have enough funds but they are on hold and currently unavailable for spending. Therefore, the major benefit of having a bank overdraft is that you will accomplish your purchase. Another important benefit that bank overdraft offers are instant cash in case of emergency.

Disadvantages of bank overdraft

The greatest disadvantage of bank overdrafts is certainly the cost. The fees that bank overdraft encompasses are often hefty. Additionally, many banks charge overdraft approval fees even if you ever overdraft. These fees usually refer to insurance. Therefore, you will pay for this service even if you never use it. Another aspect of knowing that you have bank overdraft approval is that it can unconsciously encourage you to spend more, and be tempted to make unnecessary purchases.

Final thoughts

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Hopefully, we have made more understandable the functioning of bank overdrafts and their pros and cons to help you better evaluate whether the bank overdraft is a good decision for your preferences. Remember that even though bank overdraft offers certain advantages, it comes with high fees and should be avoided if not necessary.