Save on Your Overdraft Costs

Updated 5 December 2019

Overdraft Fees Summary

Overdraft interest rates and fees are huge, and being in overdraft for an average of $2,000 a year can cost up to $500 in fees and charges.
Bank overdraft charges differ massively - Kiwibank charges the lowest interest and fees (12.95%), BNZ charges the highest (23.70%) for arranged overdrafts. Look at switching banks to save money if you find yourself in overdraft.
Worst still, banks are not transparent with the true cost of an overdraft - many add a "customer margin" to their overdraft interest rates; the lower the margin, the better you are as a customer and the less you pay, and vice versa.
Avoiding 'unarranged' overdrafts will keep costs low, as will transferring savings into an overdrawn account. Knowing your bank balance at all times is key. Managing your money and making a budget is essential to keep overdraft fees to a minimum.
If you find yourself struggling to keep up, your bank is obligated to help you under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act - talk to them before making matter worst.

Overdraft fees - the bad and the ugly

With overdraft interest rates as high as 27%(!), an overdraft is, in no uncertain terms, a debt. It may not feel like a debt, but in every way it is. And like other debts, it needs to be managed and repaid.
Our 10 step guide covers how an overdraft happens, what you will be charged, how to get your bank account in good health and switching to a bank account that leaves you better off. With the right planning and best bank account, saving $2,500 - $5,000+ over 10 years isn't a stretch of the imagination.

Overdraft Interest Rates and Fees

	Kiwibank	ASB	BNZ	Westpac	ANZ
Preferential Overdraft	12.90%	15.50% (secured)	Not Offered	Not Offered	Not Offered
Authorised Overdraft	16.90%	19.50%	23.70%	13.95%*	13.95%#
Unauthorised Overdraft	22.00% p.a.	22.50% p.a	23.70%	26.95%	28.95%
Application fee	free	$25	$30	$25	$25
Overdraft limit increase fee	$15	$25	$30	$9	$25
Overdraft monthly fee	$5 per month	Scaled fee^	$5/month	Scaled fee**	0.12% of overdraft limit
Monthly Over limit fee (unauthorised overdraft)	$10/month	Min. $10^^	$10/month	$9/month	$5

ASB
^ The greater of 0.12% of the overdraft limit and 0.12% of the highest daily overdrawn balance (minimum charge $2).
^^ $10 or 0.12% of the highest daily overdrawn balance

Westpac
* 13.95% + a customer margin (3%-6%)
** $5.00 per month (up to $5k, 0.10% of overdraft limit on overdrafts > $5k)

ANZ
# 13.95% + a customer margin (3%-6%)

Best and Worst Overdrafts

Kiwibank offers the lowest overdraft interest rate of 12.90% p.a. and the lowest application fee, but to get it you'll need to have your salary credited to your account and have good credit.
The ANZ charges the highest unarranged overdraft interest - an eye-watering 28.95% p.a.
We have excluded the TSB, SBS and Heartland banks until their overdraft fees and interest rates are made clear on their respective websites.

Banks charge different interest rates on overdrafts, with Kiwibank charging the least (16.90% pa) + $5 a month fee, and BNZ charging the most (23.70%) + $5 a month fee. The rate of interest you’ll be charged is clear for most banks, as we outline below:

Example: Annual $ Cost of a $2,000 overdraft

$2000 Overdraft	Kiwibank	ASB	BNZ	Westpac	ANZ
Interest Cost	$258	$390	$474	$399*	$399*
Fees	$60	$28.8	$60	$60	$28.8
Total	$318	$418.8	$534	$459	$427.8

Note, we have assumed a $2,000 overdraft balance for all 365 days in a year - we understand this does not reflect typical account usage.
**In calculating the ANZ and Westpac interest rate, we have used a customer margin of 6%

Overdrafts - 10 Must-Know Facts to Cut Your Costs

Explaining an overdraft - how it happens, and then what happens

Overdrafts are fairly common among New Zealanders, and most people find themselves with an overdraft of between $1,000 and $4,000.
Usually, the reason you go below $0 is due to “bad timing” - an automatic payment goes through when you already have a low balance, and to make sure it clears the bank lets you go into overdraft.
Once you’re in overdraft, you will be notified and a charge applied and the interest calculated from the day your balance is negative. The higher your overdraft, the higher the interest cost you will pay.
Overdrafts step in to avoid the issue of automatic payments and direct debits being declined, as that triggers a “dishonour fee” which can be as much as $40 per payment.
Your bank will outline its overdraft policy clearly as to what it charges for using it – if it’s hard to find on their own website, Google the bank’s name and “overdraft fees and interest”.
Remember, it’s not the bank’s fault if you don’t have enough money to cover a payment – making sure you have the funds is the aim of this guide.

Know the difference between “arranged” and “unarranged” overdrafts

There is a big difference between the two when it comes to the interest rate you’ll pay.

An “arranged” overdraft is a borrowing limit you’ve agreed with your bank – for example, it may be up to $2,000 if your bank account goes below $0. To have this overdraft, you’ll pay a one-off application or setup fee (fee 1), as well as an ongoing monthly “overdraft facility” or “service” fee, which starts at $10/month even if you don’t go into overdraft (fee 2). Finally, you’ll be charged interest as soon as your bank balance falls below $0 (fee 3). If you wish to change your overdraft limit, you’ll pay any other application fee (fee 4) regardless of whether the bank approves it.
An “unarranged” overdraft is when you exceed your overdraft limit, i.e. go above a $2,000 agreed limit, and when this happens, you’ll pay a higher interest rate, known as the unarranged overdraft interest rate (fee 5). You may also be charged extra fees when you trigger an unarranged overdraft (fee 6), and together it makes expensive debt that can get out of control.

Know your bank balance by having ready access to it

You’ll be far better off when it comes to managing your money if you have instant access to knowing your bank balance. Online banking has gone further with a number of mobile apps you can download to have instant access to your account summary. Beyond this, banks have gone the distance to help customers. Most offer text and email alerts triggered by:

Your balance going over or under a certain amount
The failure of an automatic payment or loan payment

Knowledge is power

Knowing what’s in your bank account lets you manage it and anticipate large transactions and shortages.
Sign up to the apps and alerts and be in the know – unforeseen overdraft is less likely when you have up to date information about your bank account, and that gives you all the power to act quickly to make a change.

Use any savings you have to pay back an overdraft

With overdraft interest rates at 15%+ and after-tax cash deposit returns around 3%, you’re much better off using your savings to pay down an overdraft. Paying $2,000 into your bank account will save you about $300 in interest per year if you find yourself frequently overdrawn, and that’s before all the fee savings. If you need to reorganise your debts, look at balance transfer credit cards as a way of shuffling high-interest debt to 0%.

Talk to companies you have contracts with to change the dates of the direct debits

If you know you’ll be in overdraft before payday, you might as well minimise the time you'll be in the red. If you get paid on the 30th of every month for example, move your direct debits to say the 28th or 29th so that you are in overdraft for as little time as possible. This only works if you budget and don’t spend the money on other things.

Talk to your bank

Every bank has a duty to treat its customers fairly under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act. If you have a big overdraft and switching bank is not an option, call or email your bank and ask them to look at waiving fees and/or reducing the interest you are paying. If you’re barely able to keep up with the payments and feel yourself sinking, you can make a financial hardship application – see our debt help guide. If your bank does not help, look at free debt counselling from the Citizens Advice Bureau - full details can also be found on our debt help guide.

Manage Your Money when it gets paid

Whenever you get paid, don’t let your money sit there as you then risk spending it on things you don’t need. Instead, consider opening up a basic free bank account for day to day use, transfer a small amount for your needs, and repay your overdraft like it’s a loan or credit card. Prioritise paying your essentials (mortgage or rent, electrical etc) and then other high-interest debt, such as credit cards and store cards.

“If you don’t need or, don’t buy it” is a simple tip which always helps you to get back on your feet. Once you’ve repaid your most expensive debt, you can move on to the next one. Read our Debt Guide for more tips.

Don’t be an ostrich or think problems will go away

Debt is best controlled and repaid when you are aware of exactly what you owe and to who. If you don’t open your mail and delete emails from lenders without reading them, stop doing that. You want to be aware of your financial position at all times, even if it’s not looking that great and raises anxiety levels. Awareness is the only way to improve your situation. Banks love to charge fees and penalties, so fight back by being in control of what’s going on. If you are really struggling, see our debt help guide.

A budget is essential to managing your overdraft – moving your direct debit dates won’t solve your overdraft. If you take the time and put together a budget, you can identify areas to cut back on and change your spending habits so you can avoid relying on your overdraft. The money you will save from being in the black will be significant.

Consider getting a “no-overdraft” account to avoid paying monthly overdraft-related fees

A basic bank account is a no-frills, no-overdraft current account that is low in fees and benefits. You will still need to be approved and credit checked, but if you’ve got no need for an overdraft it’s probably best to switch to a more suitable product. Talk to your bank about their overdraft-free accounts.

Overdrafts are really expensive, and always have been

The average arranged overdraft interest rate is 20% p.a. and you’re paying monthly fees on top, making the repayments as expensive as credit card debt. The interest is calculated daily, and applied to your balance meaning you can get trapped in a debt spiral. We believe high-interest overdrafts and their endless fees are, sadly, here to stay for the long term.

Banks can make around $1000/year in fees and interest off anyone who finds themselves in a ~$4,000 overdraft more times than not. Paying the interest while trying to get back in the black can be tricky if your finances are not managed properly.