Which of the following transactions is most likely to have caused John to overdraw his bank account?

• A. John deposited a \$200 check that cleared immediately.
• B. John received a direct deposit of his \$1,000 salary.
• C. John transferred \$100 from his savings to his checking account.
• D. John wrote a check for \$500 when his account balance was \$400.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of overdrawing: Overdrawing occurs when the amount withdrawn from a bank account exceeds the available balance, resulting in a negative balance.
2. Analyze each transaction: Review the impact of each transaction on John's account balance to determine which one could lead to an overdraft.
3. Evaluate the first three transactions: Depositing a \$200 check that cleared immediately, receiving a \$1,000 direct deposit, and transferring \$100 from savings to checking all increase the account balance and cannot cause an overdraft.
4. Examine the fourth transaction: Writing a \$500 check when the account balance is \$400 would result in an overdraft because the withdrawal exceeds the available funds by \$100.
5. Conclude that the fourth transaction is the most likely cause of the overdraft, as it directly leads to a negative balance in John's account.