| |
| |
|
|
Loans Information |
|
Why Bank Overdrafts May Be a Bad Deal For You
Many banks actively encourage their clients with low balances to overdraw their accounts. That means, if the customer writes a check or uses her debit card and has insufficient funds in the account, the bank clears the check by granting a temporary overdraft (a short-term loan), up to a specific limit. The customer is saved from the problems of bounced checks or interrupted shopping sprees. Sounds like a good deal for the customers, right? That's what the banks say. They claim overdrafts are an added convenience to customers. The truth is, they're often a very bad deal for the customers. Here's why. When a bank grants a regular line of credit, the interest charged may be up to say, 20% or so. However, for overdrafts, banks don't charge interest -- they charge a flat fee on each transaction. This fee does not depend on the value of the transaction. Let's see how that works. Overdraft plans fees may be as high as $35 per check. We'll assume a more conservative fee of $20 per check. If you have four checks totaling $200 that have insufficient funds against them and the bank automatically activates the overdraft and clears those checks, you will owe $80 in overdraft charges. Unlike revolving lines of credit which you can repay at your convenience, an overdraft has to be settled in just a few days. Let's say the bank allows you to run the overdraft for 14 days. A loan of $200 for 14 days incurring charges of $80 translates into an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 1043%! A "convenience" for customers? Not at these rates. What does this remind you of? It reminds me of payday loans and cash advances. Those are the other forms of lending which charge you such sky-high APRs. In fact, if you choose to repay a cash advance on due date and not roll it over, you'll likely be charged far less than what the banks charge you for an overdraft. It gets even worse. Banks have software that ensures that your largest value checks and debits get processed first. There may be some logic to that. However, this arrangement also means that when there are insufficient funds in your account, instead of paying one overdraft charge on one large check, you pay several charges on several smaller checks! Plus, most customers don't even realize that they are overdrawn until the bank notifies them about it. Consumer advocates say that banks are perfectly aware that many people barely make it from payday to payday. These customers typically have very low balances. Rather than offer them a service that would be in their interests, banks extract high fees from them to cover bounced checks. If you are caught short between paychecks, consider arranging funds from other sources rather than turn to overdraft protection. The best solution to the problem is to systematically build up cash balances so that you don't face such a situation in the first place. About the Author Prakash Menon is a financial expert and writer specializing in managing personal debt and providing wealth building solutions. He has written on signature loans, personal debt management and other topics.
MORE RESOURCES:
Loans - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
The Ins and Outs of Loans for Military Under the microscope loans for military really are different from civilian loans. Some things are the same such as your application must be approved, you still pay the loan back in an allotted amount of time, and you still have a set interest rate. Military Loan and Military Loans Military loans are made available to active servicemen and retirees and are one of the great benefits to those who have served their country. A military loan can be a wonderful way for military personnel to make much-needed home improvements, get the car repaired, pay for higher education or even take a family vacation. Motorcycle Loans For Military With Bad Credit Motorcycle loans for military with bad credit aren't hard to come by. In fact when you start your search for the lender you will find more then an ample supply of companies just waiting for your business. Federal Debt Consolidation Loans For Students For American students, the U.S. Cash Advance Company - Comparing Payday Loan Companies Online Comparing payday loan companies online saves you time and money. By researching rates, fees, and terms, you can find the best cash advance company. Cash Til Payday Loans - When Is The Best Time To Get A Quick Cash Loan There are times when a cash advance loan or payday loan may be a good way to get you out of a tight, financial scrape. There are times when a payday loan may be a wise decision. An Overview of Getting a Homeowner Loan Should you be in the market for a homeowner loan, you might find yourself wondering exactly how to go about finding the loan solution that you're looking for.A homeowner loan is a loan that's designed for individuals who own a house or other real estate, and uses the value of the home as the collateral for the loan. Is Getting A Personal Loan With Bad Credit Impossible? Think Again A bad credit history is like having contracted an infectious disease. At least this is what most lenders perceive. Benefits of a Bad Credit Personal Loan Outlined here are some of the many benefits of a Bad Credit Personal Loan. Bad credit personal loans are increasingly popular these days. How to Get a Business Loan in Five Steps Need funds to startup or expand your business? Follow these steps:A lender looks at a loan request in three sections known as the "three C's". They are:Credit. Devising Newer Ways of Repayment How good would it have been had there been no obligation to repay the loan or mortgage? This is what most people think when required to make the monthly repayments. But try as much as they can, they are never able to change the situation. Are You In The Market For a Car Loan? Car loans are a tempting way to purchase a new car. While they provide for easy access to a car, these loans can get quite expensive if you do not know enough about what you are getting into. Short Term Payday Loans - Use One Online To Get Cash Quick Short term payday loans are now available online. After filling out your application online, you can have an emergency loan deposited into your checking account the next day. Instant Cash Advance Loans - Take Advantage of The Convenience of The Payday Loans Available Online Cash advance loans not only provide you with instant cash, they also allow you to complete the entire process online from the convenience of your home. No driving between offices and banks. Finding the UK Loan that You Need Because it can sometimes be difficult to find a UK loan with a low interest rate and acceptable loan terms, many people get frustrated with the entire borrowing and lending process.Some individuals feel as though they cannot get a good UK loan because they've been turned down for a loan, and they don't figure that it's worth their time or effort to keep looking for loans after that first rejection. Refinancing Your Auto Loan Refinancing your loan is one of the best kept secrets around for saving you money, but most people never think of it. Whether refinancing your home or car the process is the same. What is a Home Owner Loan? A UK Home Owner Loan Can Unlock Your Capital To Use Today.Unlock the value tied up in your property with a great value secured Home Owner loan. A Guide to Finding Home Owner Loans If you're in the process of trying to find home owner loans with a good interest rate and acceptable terms, you'll likely find that there are a variety of options available to you. As long as you have sufficient equity in your home to secure the home owner loans that you apply for, you're likely to be able to find a loan to meet your needs regardless of your credit rating. A Beginners Guide to Online Loans If you're just beginning to look at online loans, you might feel that you're getting in over your head.Online loans have been growing in popularity in recent years, due in no small part to the ease and convenience of being able to apply for online loans from the privacy and convenience of your home at any time of the day or night. No Faxing Cash Advance Loans - 3 Reasons to Use A No Fax Payday Loan Company No fax payday loan companies save you time with your application, grant instant approvals, and allow access to easy cash. Faxless applications eliminate the review by personal by relying on databases.
|
||||||||||||||||||
