Banks automatically increase overdraft

miss_missy

yes jambosans id have to agree with you it does seem that the halifax could if they wanted to increase limits without it being requested

and the letters from my bank telling me about the overdraft increase always stated that i could contact them and have it stay at my previous limit

tripled

I have a Halifax account, and have never had my limit increased without asking. There is a section which tells you an 'approved' limit, which if it is higher than your actual limit you can alter it to that immediately without it being referred.

noh

tripled wrote: »

I have a Halifax account, and have never had my limit increased without asking. There is a section which tells you an 'approved' limit, which if it is higher than your actual limit you can alter it to that immediately without it being referred.

The "approved limit " is no longer displayed online.

rb10

noh wrote: »

The "approved limit " is no longer displayed online.

... but they do still do approved limits, you just have to go into a branch or phone them up to get your approved limit.

Old_Wrinkly

When I opened a Halifax current account, I specifically said at the time I didn't want an overdraft (and I wrote that on the application form) - but they gave me one anyway.
After getting it removed, a year or so later it re-appeared.
A year on, having never used it, it was removed again.
I suspect some ill-specified software ...

dtaylor84

noh wrote: »

The "approved limit " is no longer displayed online.

Interesting. I looked at the "change overdraft" page within the last 4 weeks and it was still displayed, but you're right - it isn't displayed now.

However, if you put in too high an amount it displays a message "To apply for an overdraft above your guaranteed limit of £0.00 please contact us on 08457 20 30 40 or visit any branch."

So the guaranteed limit is still there, and still displayed on the web (sometimes). It may well be a mistake that it isn't displayed on the page. (Or possibly, that it wasn't removed from the message.)

ginvzt

Even if you have a facility of overdraft, you don't HAVE to use it!!!!

rb10

dtaylor84 wrote: »

So the guaranteed limit is still there, and still displayed on the web (sometimes). It may well be a mistake that it isn't displayed on the page.

No, it is because Halifax and Lloyds TSB are merging their systems together, and as Halifax's online banking has far more functionality than Lloyds TSB's, they have had to remove certain features (such as this one) in order to make them compatible.

AfterDark

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

Could it be that OP's friend has misread the new limit - could it be that it is £1100 not £11000?
I agree no bank will automatically raise an overdraft facility to that level without being asked.

Hi no it's really is £11k, No idea why the bank would give some one with an income of under £15k per year this amount, but they have. I'm just worried that she's gonna run it up and get herself in a terrible situation. But what can do

dobbie82

I have a natwest account, and it started with a £250 overdraft about 8 years ago and has increased automatically to £500, 1000, 1250 etc, to the point now where it is a months joint income as my OH's wages go into my account as well to cover bills.

each time that it has increased I have had a letter saying they intend to increase the overdraft and if I have any objections to contact them within x amount of days, I just did nothing, and got the increase.