Study CEG 'Overdrafts on personal current accounts'

CEG conducted a study on personal overdrafts. This study was commissioned by the Authority for Consumer & Market (ACM). According to CEG, it is not likely that it is plausible that personal overdraft is a separate market. Personal overdrafts form part of the market for personal current accounts and consumer credit market. Interest rates on overdrafts are disciplined by the rates for all payment services and the interest rates on consumer loans. CEG concludes, on the basis of various analyses, that there is no evidence of market power in these two markets.

ACM endorses, in her vision statement, the conclusions of CEG with consideration of several caveats. ACM sees room to improve the transparency in the yearly incurred costs by consumers for their current account, including the cost of overdrafts.