When the stock market experiences choppiness and the global economy teeters, investors wonder about the safety of their money in the bank. In the U.S., we’re fortunate that our cash, with certain limitations, is protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This means that as long as you keep your deposits within the limits, your cash in the bank is safe, no matter what happens to the bank.

Here are 5 things to know about the FDIC and your money.

 

FDIC insurance limits

During the global financial crisis that began in 2007, the FDIC limit was raised from $100,000 per depositor, per account type, per institution, to $250,000. This means that a couple can keep $1 million in a single bank: $250,000 in the first spouse’s name, $250,000 in the second spouse’s name, and $500,000 — or $250,000 each — in a joint account held in both their names. If you hold more than this amount in cash, you may want to open accounts at multiple banks.

 

Banks involved

Most U.S. banks are part of FDIC. Those that are will display the FDIC logo on their website and in their branches. If you don’t see it, ask, or check the FDIC website.

 

What’s covered

Here’s the list of accounts that the FDIC insures at banks: “checking, NOW (Negotiable Order of Withdrawal) accounts, savings accounts, money market deposit accounts, and certificates of deposit (CDs).” Note that money-market funds are not a bank product and don’t fall under FDIC protection. What’s also not covered are any investments you hold: “stocks, bonds, mutual funds, life insurance policies, annuities, or municipal securities, even if you purchased these products from an insured bank or savings association.”

You can check to what extent your own accounts are covered with the FDIC’s Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator.  

 

Ways to get more coverage

Some banks hold multiple bank charters and may spread your deposit accounts across these charters. That will increase the amount of FDIC insurance you are entitled to claim. Ask your bank about this.

 

Managing your accounts

If you hold a significant amount of cash, spreading it out among different institutions in FDIC-insured parcels is a smart way to increase your amount of deposit insurance. Be sure to monitor the accounts so that your cash doesn’t exceed the limit at each bank. Max handles this automatically for members. Learn how Max can help you optimize your FDIC-insured cash.