Apply for or change your arranged overdraft (2024)

Table of Contents
Over the phone Information: FAQs

Find out how toapply for, change or remove an arranged overdraft.

Where you can manage an arranged overdraft

You can apply for, change or remove an arranged overdraft and your arranged overdraft limit on your Nationwide current account:

Over the phone

You can only manage your arranged overdraft over the phone if you’re not able to use our Internet Bank or Banking app.

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Saturday, 9am to 1pm.
Closed Sundays and bank holidays.

UK: 03457 30 20 10

If your application is successful, your new arranged overdraft will usually be available straight away. However, if you apply between 8.30pm and midnight, it can take up to 2 working days to show in your account.

You’ll receive a letter confirming your arranged overdraft. We’ll then review your arranged overdraft every 6 months.

Information:

You must be over 18 years old to apply. We’ll also look at your personal circ*mstances, like your income, outgoings and credit file, before we offer you an arranged overdraft or change your limit.

Things to consider

When you apply for a new arranged overdraft or arranged overdraft increase – we’ll ask a few questions about your income and outgoings. If this is a joint account, we’ll need this information for both account holders. We’ll tell you right away if you can have the amount you’ve requested. If the amount is above the maximum we can offer you, we’ll let you know the amount you can apply for. You can then choose to apply for up to this amount or cancel your application.

​Increasing your limit – your new arranged overdraft limit will be recorded on your credit reference file. This could affect your ability to get credit in the future.

​​Going over your arranged overdraft limit – this means you have an unarranged overdraft which hasn't been agreed with us, and can affect your credit score. You'll not be charged for being in an unarranged overdraft, but you won’t be able to withdraw cash or transfer money until your account balance is back in credit or within its limit.

Our decision – we base our decision on your individual circ*mstances, by looking at things like:

  • what you’ve told us in your application about your employment, income and outgoings
  • information we receive from credit reference agencies
  • how you use your Nationwide current account or any of our other products

How to apply for or manage your arranged overdraft

In the Internet Bank

You can do this by logging into the Internet Bank.

Once you're logged in:

  1. select View accounts
  2. select your account from the list
  3. select Overdraft options from the menu on the left side of the page
  4. follow the on-screen instructions to apply or change your limit.

If you can't see Overdraft options, it could be because:

  • an arranged overdraft isn't available on your account
  • you have charges pending on your account.

In our Banking app

If you haven’t already, you’ll need to download our Banking app.

Once you’re logged in:

  1. select your current account
  2. select Manage overdraft at the bottom of the screen.

When the arranged overdraft will be available

If your application is successful, your new arranged overdraft or limit will usually be available straight away. However, if you apply between 8.30pm and midnight, it can take up to 2 working days to show in your account.

We’ll also send you a confirmation letter.

If your request for an arranged overdraft is declined

If you’re unhappy with our decision, you can ask us to do a manual review instead.

How we manage your arranged overdraft

We review the amount of your arranged overdraft every 6 months.

We may reduce your arranged overdraft or, in exceptional circ*mstances, withdraw it completely. This would only happen after carrying out a number of checks on:

  • the way you use your current account
  • the way you use any other Nationwide account
  • your overall credit rating.

We’ll usually let you know in advance if we need to make any changes to your limit.

Apply for or change your arranged overdraft (2024)

FAQs

Can you change your arranged overdraft? ›

From mobile, select 'Overdrafts' from your bank account menu, or click the 'Your Overdraft options' link. If you already have an arranged overdraft you can apply to increase, decrease or remove your arranged overdraft in branch or by using Internet, Mobile or Telephone Banking.

Should you apply for arranged overdraft? ›

An arranged overdraft could be useful as a short-term safety net, helping you to manage unexpected costs, or simply tide you over for a few days. Some banks and building societies will allow you to use an unarranged overdraft, however your credit score could be negatively impacted if you do.

What does arranged overdraft mean? ›

An arranged overdraft is when we agree to a limit that lets you spend a bit more money than you have in your current account. This could help you manage your money if you have to cover short-term expenses such as an unexpected bill.

Does applying for arranged overdraft affect credit score? ›

An arranged overdraft is unlikely to have a major impact on your credit score as long as you don't go beyond your overdraft limit or have payments refused. In fact, if you use your overdraft sensibly and regularly pay it off it could improve your credit rating.

How do I increase my overdraft limit? ›

It's really easy to change your arranged overdraft limit, you can either reduce or apply to increase your existing arranged overdraft limit via internet banking or through your mobile banking app.

How do I get out of an arranged overdraft? ›

These are some methods you could use:
  1. 1.) Gradually reduce the amount of your overdraft you spend each month. ...
  2. 2.) Repay the balance using credit with a lower interest rate. ...
  3. 3.) Shift your direct debits. ...
  4. 4.) Consider separating your overdraft from your day-to-day banking. ...
  5. 5.) Use savings to clear your balance.

How long does it take to approve an arranged overdraft? ›

If your application is successful, your new arranged overdraft will usually be available straight away. However, if you apply between 8.30pm and midnight, it can take up to 2 working days to show in your account. You'll receive a letter confirming your arranged overdraft.

What is the difference between overdraft and arranged overdraft? ›

So if your account's at zero and you spend an extra £1, that means you're at -£1. This is what you'd call an overdraft. An arranged overdraft is a set amount you can borrow up to, that you've agreed with your bank.

What happens if you don't pay arranged overdraft? ›

The bank may freeze your account until the overdraft is paid off. That would mean you could not get access to any money in the account, like your salary. Banks also charge a monthly fee and a setting up fee the overdraft, so it can be an expensive way to borrow money.

Why do I get charged for using my arranged overdraft? ›

You'll be charged interest if you use your arranged overdraft within your agreed limit. If you go beyond your limit, you won't be charged any interest on the portion of the balance that's above your limit. However, arranged interest will still apply to the portion of your balance within your limit.

Can I withdraw cash with an arranged overdraft? ›

Yes, you can withdraw cash from your overdraft facility by using a cash machine. How much you can take out depends on what your daily limit is.

Does overdraft lower your credit? ›

Your credit report only includes money you owe or have owed. An overdraft won't affect your credit score as long as you take care of the problem quickly. If you don't repay an overdraft and it goes to collections, it can negatively affect your credit score.

How long do I have to pay back overdraft? ›

Unlike personal loans and credit cards, there are no set repayment dates for overdrafts. This can make it tricky to prioritise paying it off. But it's important to get into the habit of chipping away at the amount you owe.

Should I pay off overdraft or credit card first? ›

It typically makes financial sense to repay the most expensive debt first to reduce the size of the interest payments you're making. It's likely to be your overdraft that is costing you the most, with many mainstream banks charging interest rates of 40% compared to an average credit card rate of 22.76%.

How long does overdraft affect credit score? ›

Late or missed payments will damage your credit score and can stay on your credit record for six years. This could make it more expensive to borrow money or get a mortgage when you need it. This is reason enough to keep on top of your overdraft repayments. Our guide to paying off your overdraft could help.

What happens if you go over your arranged student overdraft? ›

You get charged fees for going over your overdraft limit

Usually, you'll have to pay a monthly fee plus a daily fee for every day you're over your limit. The charges can add up quickly! The daily fee can be relative to how much you've overspent. If you're over by a hefty sum, you could be racking up massive fines.

How long do you have to correct an overdraft? ›

In most cases you have 5 business days or 7 calendar days to fix your balance before the extended overdraft fee takes your account even deeper into the red. Some banks charge this fee once every 5 days, while others go so far as to assess the fee every day until you bring your balance back above zero.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5747

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Birthday: 1996-12-09

Address: Apt. 141 1406 Mitch Summit, New Teganshire, UT 82655-0699

Phone: +2296092334654

Job: Technology Architect

Hobby: Snowboarding, Scouting, Foreign language learning, Dowsing, Baton twirling, Sculpting, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Francesca Jacobs Ret, I am a innocent, super, beautiful, charming, lucky, gentle, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.