overdrafts.com

HSBC overdraft: the real cost

Pricier than most overdrafts on the board.

HSBC pays £220 to switch to it right now: enough to cover about 34 months of its overdraft interest at £250.

What 30 days overdrawn costs

Amount overdrawnCost over 30 days
£100−£2.10
£250−£6.30
£500−£13.29

39.9% EAR · First £25 interest-free

How the £250 figure is worked out

Amount charged interest (£250 − £25 interest-free)
£225
Daily rate from 39.9% EAR
0.0920%
Cost over 30 days
−£6.30

Cheapest right now: First Direct

HSBC also offers a business overdraft: see its business rate →

Common questions

How much does the HSBC overdraft cost?

At £250 overdrawn for 30 days, HSBC charges −£6.30 at its advertised 39.9% EAR, after the first £25 interest-free. At £100 it’s −£2.10; at £500, −£13.29.

Does HSBC have an interest-free buffer?

Yes. The first £25 of an arranged overdraft is interest-free, and interest applies only above that.

Is HSBC the cheapest overdraft?

Not at £250 overdrawn. The cheapest right now is First Direct. The full leaderboard has every bank, cheapest first.