Overdraft Facilities in Malaysia Explained


Not many people are aware of what overdraft (OD) facilities are. In fact, most people have more questions than answers about it. As such, it is seen as a product for “Grown ups” and “pros”. But is that really true? What is an overdraft and what are the pros and cons of having an overdraft facility?

Overdraft is a line of credit (same category as credit cards) and accessed via a current account. Typically, a customer can only draw as much money as he has in his account. But with OD facilities, a customer can withdraw more than is available in the current account, up to a set credit limit.

ODs can be secured against collateral (E.g. Deposits, property, shares) which allows for better interest rates, or can also be unsecured.

The Interest Calculation

The interest rate on OD usually references the BLR rate and is calculated on the daily balance of overdraft (utilised amount). The following is the formula of calculating the interest rate.

Interest charged = Overdrawn Amount x Interest Rate x Number of days / 365 days

Example:
Total Overdrawn Value = RM 20,000
No. of Days Overdrawn = 30 days in billing period of Sep 2013
Interest Rate = BLR + 1% per annum

Thus, interest charged for September 2013 is calculated as:

RM 20,000 x (6.6% + 1%) x 30 / 365 = RM124.93
For a cash out, should I get a Mortgage / Home Loan or Overdraft or Personal Loan?

Many people who are looking for a cash loan wonder if they should get an OD facility, or refinance their homes, or get a personal loan. The table below is a comparison:
Overall, an OD facility offers the most flexibility, personal loans have the simplest approval process, while mortgage loan refinancing is still the cheapest.

Advantages of Overdraft
  •     All round flexibility
  •     No fixed repayments
  •     Avoid bounced cheques if overdrawn
  •     Interest charged only on utilized amount
Disadvantages of Overdraft
  •     Higher interest rate than mortgage loans
  •     Requires more discipline than a term loan to pay off
  •     May affect a person’s DSR eligibility calculation even if line of credit is not utilized
  •     Banks can recall the OD facility or change the credit limit any time
Beware The Dog

Some banks may charge a small commitment fee (usually 1% of your unutilized amount) even if you do not utilize your line of credit. Remember to read the fine print!
Conclusion

OD facilities are suitable for people who want the flexibility to access cash on quick notice. These include businessmen, investors, and the savvy consumer. One should be disciplined with ODs since there is no fixed repayment schedule.