Negative Balance
A negative balance occurs when the total debits from an account exceed the total credits that have been deposited into that account. In other words, a negative balance indicates that more money has been withdrawn from an account than what was available in the account.
Here are a few examples:
- Bank Account: If you withdraw or spend more money than what is available in your checking or savings account, you will end up with a negative balance, also known as an overdraft. Banks usually charge a fee for overdrafts, and they typically require the account holder to deposit sufficient funds to bring the account back into a positive balance promptly.
- Credit Card: A negative balance on a credit card usually means the card issuer owes you money. This can happen if you overpay your credit card bill, if you receive a refund for a purchase you made on the card, or if you dispute a charge and win. The card issuer will typically apply this balance to future purchases, or you can request a check or statement credit in most cases.
- Trading Account: In a trading or brokerage account, a negative balance can occur if you lose more money on a leveraged trade than the amount you initially invested. In such a situation, you owe the brokerage the amount of the negative balance.
Remember, regularly having a negative balance, particularly in a bank account, may suggest a need for better budgeting or money management strategies. It’s also worth noting that regulations and practices concerning negative balances can vary between countries and financial institutions.
Example of a Negative Balance
Let’s say you have $500 in your bank account. You make a purchase with your debit card for $600. In this scenario, you have spent more money than you had available in your account.
The result of this transaction depends on whether your bank offers overdraft protection. If it does, and you’ve opted into it, the bank may cover the excess $100 for a fee. After the transaction, your account balance would show as -$100, a negative balance, indicating you owe the bank $100. Additionally, you would owe any fees associated with the overdraft.
If your bank doesn’t offer overdraft protection or you haven’t opted into it, the transaction would typically be declined, and you might be charged a non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee.
In either scenario, it’s important to rectify the negative balance as soon as possible to avoid additional fees and potential damage to your credit score. Over time, maintaining a positive balance can contribute to improved financial health and creditworthiness.
