A non-volatile memory device that a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type. An array of non-volatile memory cells is in the semiconductor substrate arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. Each memory cell comprises a first region on a surface of the semiconductor substrate of a second conductivity type, and a second region on the surface of the semiconductor substrate of the second conductivity type. A channel region is between the first region and the second region. A word line overlies a first portion of the channel region and is insulated therefrom, and adjacent to the first region and having little or no overlap with the first region. A floating gate overlies a second portion of the channel region, is adjacent to the first portion, and is insulated therefrom and is adjacent to the second region. A coupling gate overlies the floating gate. A bit line is connected to the first region. A negative charge pump circuit generates a first negative voltage. A control circuit receives a command signal and generates a plurality of control signals, in response thereto and applies the first negative voltage to the word line of the unselected memory cells. During the operations of program, read or erase, a negative voltage can be applied to the word lines of the unselected memory cells.