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My bank offers a direct deposit advance or checking account advance. What is this?

Deposit or checking account advances let you borrow up to a certain amount of money (often $500) from your next direct deposit.

However, this money, along with fees, will usually be automatically deducted from your next direct deposit when it goes into your account.

The fees attached to deposit or checking account advances can be high. In addition, you will have less money from your next direct deposit, because the bank will remove both the amount of money advanced and all the related fees. While this might be cheaper than incurring an overdraft fee, consider whether you will be able to meet your other obligations if your direct deposit is reduced, and whether other, lower-cost options are available.

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