
Saving accounts at banks are protected by FDIC insurance, which means your deposits are insured up to $250,000 per account holder, per insured bank.
This protection gives you peace of mind knowing your money is safe, even if the bank fails. You can deposit checks, pay bills, and access your money whenever you need it.
The FDIC is a US government agency that guarantees the safety of your deposits. It was created in 1933 to restore trust in the banking system after the Great Depression.
With FDIC insurance, you can bank with confidence, knowing your savings are protected.
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What is FDIC Insurance?
FDIC insurance is a type of protection that keeps your money safe in case your bank fails. The FDIC is an independent agency of the U.S. government that was created in 1933 to protect depositors during the Great Depression.
The agency reimburses you for any losses you incur if your bank fails, so you don't have to worry about losing your hard-earned money. To qualify for FDIC insurance, you need to have an account at a bank that is FDIC-insured, which is most banks.
FDIC insurance covers a variety of accounts, including checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and money market deposit accounts (MMDAs). It also covers negotiable orders of withdrawal (NOW) accounts.
The FDIC insures up to $250,000 per owner for single accounts, and up to $250,000 per co-owner for joint accounts. It also insures certain retirement accounts, revocable trusts, and employee benefit plans, each with a $250,000 limit.
Here's a breakdown of what's covered under FDIC insurance:
Keep in mind that FDIC insurance doesn't cover all types of accounts, and it's not a substitute for a personal vault. However, it's a crucial safety net that gives you peace of mind when banking with an FDIC-insured institution.
Understanding FDIC Protection
FDIC protection is a safety net for your bank accounts, and it's essential to understand how it works. The FDIC, or Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, is an independent agency of the U.S. government that protects your deposits up to $250,000.
If your bank fails, the FDIC reimburses you for any losses you incur. This is crucial because banks often lend out most of your money, keeping only a small amount on hand. If too many customers want to withdraw their money at the same time, the bank may not be able to meet the demand, leading to a panic and potentially even a bank failure.
The FDIC insures various types of accounts, including checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), negotiable orders of withdrawal (NOW), and money market deposit accounts (MMDA). These accounts are protected up to the $250,000 limit.
Here's a breakdown of what's covered under FDIC insurance:
To maximize your FDIC protection, you can spread your money across accounts at different banks. For example, if you have $500,000, you can keep $250,000 at one financial institution and $250,000 at another. This way, you can ensure that your deposits are fully insured, even if one bank fails.
Checking Your Coverage

You can check your coverage by looking at the types of accounts that are insured, which include checking accounts, savings accounts, time accounts (CDs), and deposit products held in IRAs and other retirement accounts.
To calculate your coverage, you can use the FDIC's online tool, edie.fdic.gov, which helps consumers calculate their insurance coverage and learn about the rules and limitations of deposit insurance.
The FDIC insures accounts up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured financial institution, for each account ownership category.
Here's a breakdown of the types of accounts and their corresponding insurance coverage:
You can also check your coverage by looking at the types of accounts that are not insured, such as investment accounts and securities.
The FDIC has a standard maximum deposit insurance amount of $250,000 per depositor, per insured financial institution, for each account ownership category.
If you have a joint account with a balance of $250,000, you and your spouse are each insured up to $250,000.
FDIC Insured Products

Your savings accounts at banks are protected by FDIC insurance, which covers a wide range of deposit products. Checking Accounts are insured by the FDIC, so you can rest assured that your checking balance is safe.
Savings Accounts are also covered, and this includes money market deposit accounts (MMDA) and negotiable orders of withdrawal (NOW). These types of accounts are designed to help you earn interest on your deposits while still having easy access to your money.
Time Accounts, also known as CDs, are insured by the FDIC, so you can invest in these low-risk investments with confidence. Deposit products held in IRAs and other retirement accounts are also insured, providing an added layer of protection for your retirement savings.
The FDIC insures up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured financial institution, for each account ownership category. This means that if you have a joint account with your spouse, the combined balance is insured up to $250,000 per co-owner.
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Here's a breakdown of the types of accounts that are insured by the FDIC:
By spreading your money across multiple accounts at different banks, you can take advantage of the FDIC's insurance limits and protect your savings even further.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you have more than 250k in a savings account?
If you have more than $250,000 in a savings account, you can still be fully insured by opening accounts at multiple institutions or using a deposit network. This allows you to exceed the standard insurance limit and protect your deposits.
Are joint accounts FDIC-insured to $500,000?
Joint accounts with right of survivorship are FDIC-insured up to $500,000 per account holder, not per account. This means each account holder has separate coverage of up to $500,000.
Do beneficiaries count for FDIC insurance?
Beneficiaries do not increase the FDIC insurance coverage, which remains at $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank. Naming beneficiaries on accounts does not affect the insurance coverage.
Sources
- https://www.fdic.gov/resources/deposit-insurance/faq
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/08/fdic-insured-bank-account.asp
- https://www.wellsfargo.com/savings-cds/fdic/
- https://www.aba.com/advocacy/community-programs/consumer-resources/why-your-money-is-safer-in-a-bank
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/your-financial-accounts-are-safe-experts-say-heres-what-protects-them
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