Overview
- The analysis draws on a BaFin dataset covering about 6,800 checking‑account models from roughly 1,100 banks and savings banks, with overdraft terms specified for 5,207 models.
- 44% of institutions impose additional interest once customers go beyond their agreed limit, adding an average surcharge of 4.26 percentage points.
- VR-Bank Landsberg-Ammersee posts the highest rate within the agreed overdraft at 15.31%, while exceeded overdrafts peak at 19.75% at Abtsgmünder Bank.
- Cooperative banks and local savings banks dominate the roster of the costliest providers, whereas national online banks such as ING, DKB, and Comdirect advertise sub‑10% rates.
- Experts advise consumers who are often in the red to compare full account costs and consider cheaper installment loans, and BaFin’s comparison tool lets users benchmark up to three accounts.