A negative balance occurs when pending or final transactions exceed the available funds in your Neema account. Rather than rejecting a settled charge, your account balance drops below zero.
Your Neema card balance may show a negative amount due to three main reasons:
Foreign currency transactions and fees: Purchases made in currencies other than Israeli New Shekels (ILS) involve dynamic exchange rates and processing fees that can alter the final amount.
Delayed merchant charges: Certain stores, services, or subscription providers process payment settlements days or weeks after the initial purchase date.
Temporary merchant holds: Hotels, car rentals, or gas stations may place temporary security holds on your funds to guarantee payment, temporarily reducing your available balance.
💲How Foreign Currency Transactions Affect Your Neema Account
When you make a purchase in a foreign currency with your Neema card, the initial amount displayed in your transaction history is an estimated value based on the exchange rate at that exact moment.
Foreign currency transactions affect your account in the following ways:
Dynamic exchange rates: The final charged amount depends on the actual exchange rate used at the exact time of settlement, which may differ from the rate at the time of purchase.
Foreign currency transaction fee: A standard 3% fee applies to all transactions made in currencies other than ILS.
Settlement timeframe: For all non-ILS purchases, the 3% foreign currency fee is typically debited up to 3 business days after the merchant receives and confirms your purchase.
These exchange rate fluctuations and delayed fee debits can cause your Neema account balance to turn negative if your account lacks sufficient padding.
How Delayed Merchant Charges and Holds Cause Balance Adjustments
Merchants do not always collect payment immediately. Delays in payment processing can cause balance changes after your initial purchase.
Late settlement processing: If a merchant delays sending transaction details to Neema, the charge may settle when your balance is lower than expected.
Merchant authorization holds: Pre-authorizations from services (such as hotel check-ins or rideshare apps) temporarily hold funds. If multiple holds overlap with regular charges, your Neema balance can temporarily show as negative until the hold releases.
If you have not made any purchases in a foreign currency and your Neema card shows a negative balance, please let us know
How to Avoid a Negative Balance on Your Neema Card
To prevent your Neema account from entering a negative balance, follow these best practices:
Maintain additional buffer funds in your Neema account to cover delayed merchant charges or foreign currency fees.
Account for the standard 3% fee when making foreign currency transactions.
Monitor your Neema app transaction history regularly to track pending holds and settled charges.