What amount leads to a banking ban?

You're wondering what minimum amount triggers a banking ban? This situation affects over a million French citizens and can disrupt your entire financial life. Understanding the thresholds and mechanisms will help you avoid this registration or better manage your current situation.

The overdraft threshold that triggers registration

Since January 2025, the Bank of France lowered the minimum characterized overdraft threshold from €800 to €500. This amount represents the minimum from which your bank can request your registration in the FICP file for overdraft abuse.

The registration request to the Bank of France follows the bank's formal notice if the situation isn't regularized within sixty days for a minimum amount of €500. Your bank therefore gives you two months to regularize before transmitting your file.

The deadlines remain strict. After a reminder letter within 14 days, then a registered formal notice with a legal deadline of 30 days to regularize, transmission to the Bank of France occurs if no sufficient payment is made.

Amounts for bounced checks

For bounced checks, no minimum amount exists. A single check of a few euros can suffice if you don't regularize it within the required timeframe. The procedure starts from the first payment incident.

The banking ban lasts 5 years, but it can be lifted earlier if you settle the debt. The check amount mainly impacts the bank fees you'll have to pay, not the registration duration.

Banks apply incident fees that accumulate quickly. A €50 check can generate up to €30 in additional fees depending on your institution.

Card payment incidents

Card payment rejections for exceeding authorized overdraft can also lead to registration. When you abuse spending, are systematically overdrawn and exceed your authorized overdraft, particularly through card use, your bank can initiate the procedure.

Accumulated amounts over several incidents count. Three €200 rejections carry the same weight as a single €600 overdraft in your institution's eyes.

Unpaid loans and FICP

For unpaid loans, registration works differently. From two unregularized monthly payments or if a non-monthly payment amount isn't settled within sixty days, the credit institution initiates the procedure.

The amount of unpaid installments determines your situation's severity. A €50 or €500 monthly payment triggers the same process, but the consequences differ when negotiating with your creditor.

How to avoid registration despite financial difficulties

Facing cash flow problems, several solutions exist before reaching critical thresholds. Contact your bank advisor at the first signs of difficulty to negotiate a debt payment plan.

Banks generally prefer finding an arrangement rather than registering their clients. A 6-month repayment plan is better than a 5-year registration for both parties.

If you already exceed the €500 overdraft threshold, fund your account even partially. Any deposit shows good faith and can delay or avoid registration.

Adapted banking solutions

To manage your finances without risking a banking ban, alternatives exist. Payment cards for banking bans like prepaid cards allow you to control your spending without possible overdraft.

You can request a systematic authorization card from your bank. This card checks the balance before each payment and refuses the transaction if funds are insufficient.

Protected amounts in your account

Even in a banking ban situation with account seizure, the protected bank balance (SBI) amount is set at €646.52, regardless of your family situation. This sum remains always available for your essential needs.

Social benefits like RSA, family allowances or AAH also remain protected from seizure. Your bank must identify and protect them during a seizure.

Regularize quickly to limit fees

The longer you wait, the more fees accumulate. A €500 overdraft can quickly reach €700 with overdraft interest and intervention fees. Every day counts to limit the financial impact.

Complete regularization leads to early removal; the Bank of France erases the registration within 10 business days. You then regain normal access to banking services.

The amounts for becoming subject to a banking ban vary by incident type. An overdraft of €500 unregularized within 60 days or a bounced check of any amount can trigger registration. React quickly at the first signs of difficulty to avoid this situation that durably complicates your financial life.

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