What is FDIC Insurance?

FDIC Insurance: Everything You Need to Know

In the last few weeks, especially, you’ve probably heard of FDIC insurance, but you might not be entirely sure what it is or how it works. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about FDIC insurance, from what it stands for to how much it covers.

What is FDIC Insurance?

FDIC insurance is a type of protection that insures your deposits in the rare case your bank or savings institution fails. The U.S. government fully supports and guarantees the insurance, ensuring the safety of your deposits up to a predefined limit of $250,000 per depositor.

What Does FDIC Stand For?

FDIC stands for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government. In response to the banking crises of the Great Depression, policymakers created the FDIC in 1933, with its primary mission being the protection of depositors in case of a bank failure.

How Much Does FDIC Insurance Cover?

The standard FDIC insurance coverage is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category. If you hold $250,000 or less in a single account at an FDIC-insured bank, your money receives complete protection. If you have more than $250,000 in a single account, or if you have multiple accounts with the same bank, your coverage may be different.

Are Checking Accounts FDIC Insured?

Yes, checking accounts are typically FDIC insured, as long as they are held at an FDIC-insured bank or savings institution. This includes standard checking accounts, interest-bearing checking accounts, and money market deposit accounts.

Are CDs FDIC Insured?

Yes, certificates of deposit (CDs) are also typically FDIC insured, as long as they are held at an FDIC-insured bank or savings institution. This includes time-limited deposit accounts that offer a fixed interest rate for a specified period of time.

Are Money Market Accounts FDIC Insured?

Yes, money market accounts are typically FDIC insured, as long as they are held at an FDIC-insured bank or savings institution. This includes both regular money market accounts and high-yield money market accounts.

Are Credit Unions FDIC Insured?

Typically, credit unions are not insured by the FDIC. Instead, participating credit unions are insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), which offers comparable insurance coverage of $250,000 per depositor.

Are Brokerage Accounts FDIC Insured?

No, brokerage accounts are not typically FDIC insured. Instead, brokerage accounts, depending on the institution, are insured by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which provides similar insurance coverage to FDIC insurance.

Does FDIC Insurance Cover Multiple Accounts at the Same Bank?

Yes, FDIC insurance covers multiple accounts at the same bank, as long as the accounts are held in different ownership categories up to the stated limit. For example, if you have a checking account, a savings account, and a CD at the same bank, the accounts are all insured up to the depositor limit.

How Can I Maximize My FDIC Insurance Coverage?

To maximize your FDIC insurance coverage, you can spread your deposits across multiple FDIC-insured banks or savings institutions, or by using the Insured Cash Sweep (ICS). For example, Protection+, offered at Amerant Bank, is a type of insured cash sweep account that provides millions of dollars in FDIC insurance.

Insured Cash Sweep (ICS) by IntraFi

Amerant Bank offers the Protection+ program, through ICS by IntraFi, to help its customers maximize their FDIC insurance coverage. By using Protection+, Amerant Bank customers can insure greater than the $250k FDIC limit by spreading their deposits across multiple participating banks in the program.

The ICS program is a convenient and efficient way to diversify your deposit portfolio while still maintaining full FDIC insurance coverage. You receive a consolidated statement and a single 1099 form at the end of the year, simplifying the management of your funds. The program is offered through a network of participating banks, which means you can access the program through Amerant Bank.

How Much is FDIC Insurance?

FDIC insurance is provided to depositors at no cost. The cost of the insurance is paid for by the banks and savings institutions that participate in the FDIC insurance program.

FDIC insurance is an important form of insurance that ensures your deposits are safe in case your bank or savings institution fails.

As long as deposits are kept within the coverage limit of $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, you can be confident that your money is fully protected. Remember, the FDIC insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the US government, so you can rest assured that your deposits are in good hands.

If you have any further questions or concerns about FDIC insurance, don’t hesitate to contact an Amerant Bank relationship manager or visit the FDIC’s website for more information.