A slight improvement: 45% of French people are overdrawn at least once a year, up from 47% since 2022, according to the survey published on October 29 by the banking rate comparator Panorabanques. “This is finally going in the right direction, especially since the average amount of overdrafts is also decreasing, going from 232 euros in 2023 to 223 euros in 2024”explains Anna Meylacq, spokesperson for the comparator.
The main reason given by the French to explain this deficit is their difficulty in compensating for the increase in prices. The context is becoming less tense in this regard, since inflation falls to 1.1% in annual rate in September, according to INSEE, after 5.2% in 2022 and 4.9% in 2023. “This does not mean that prices are falling, just that their increase is slowing. The French, who have a tight budget, are therefore still in a difficult situation.”adds Anna Meylacq.
What do they do when they are overdrawn? 46% of them say they are dipping into their savings. It is a good idea, but the ideal would be to anticipate so as not to fall into the red. Regularly monitoring your account in your bank’s app and setting up notifications about certain transactions allows you to predict whether the account is at risk of going overdrawn and then avoid the problem by making a transfer from a savings account (Livret A, Sustainable Development Brochure and solidarity) to your checking account.
When you are overdrawn, do not hesitate to tell your bank: “14% of French people are in the red only once a year. They have every interest in contacting their advisor to negotiate rates, highlighting the exceptional nature of their overdraft.”the spokesperson continues.
Intervention Commission
An account in the red is expensive. The first reflex is to request overdraft authorization from your bank: “76% of French people surveyed say they have taken the step”explains Anna Meylacq. All the better, because, in this case, the costs linked to the overdraft are limited: only the agios have to be paid. They are between 7% and 16% according to the banks, which represents between 1.50 euros and 3.50 euros of profits per month for an authorized overdraft of 400 euros in twenty days. according to Panorabanques calculation.
But, in the event of an unauthorized overdraft, or beyond the authorized amount, the bill increases. In this case, the client pays an intervention commission whose amount is legally limited to 8 euros per transaction, within the limit of 80 euros per month. The vast majority of establishments are aligned with this limit, with the exception of Crédit Coopératif (5 euros), Crédit Mutuel Maine-Anjou Basse-Normandie (7.75 euros), La Banque Postale (7.90 euros) and online banks , they don’t charge. any.
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