
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent agency of the United States government that was created in 1933 to restore public confidence in the banking system and protect depositors' money. FDIC insurance covers deposit accounts at member banks up to $250,000 per person, bank, and account category. Most banks are FDIC-insured, and deposit insurance is automatic when you open a deposit account at an FDIC-insured bank. This means that if a bank fails, the FDIC ensures that depositors' money is protected up to the applicable limit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who does FDIC insurance protect? | Depositors at member banks |
| How much money does FDIC insurance protect? | $250,000 per person, bank and account category |
| What happens if a bank fails? | The FDIC ensures that depositors' money is safe up to the coverage limit |
| How does FDIC insurance work? | Coverage is automatic when you open a deposit account at an FDIC-insured bank |
| How to check if your bank is FDIC-insured? | Use the FDIC's BankFind tool |
| What does FDIC insurance cover? | Checking accounts, savings accounts, money market deposit accounts (MMDAs), and certificates of deposit (CDs) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- FDIC insurance covers $250,000 per person, per bank and account category
- The FDIC was created in 1933 to restore public confidence in banks
- FDIC insurance covers deposit accounts, including checking accounts and savings accounts
- FDIC insurance does not cover noncash investments
- You can use the FDIC's BankFind tool to check if a bank is FDIC-insured

FDIC insurance covers $250,000 per person, per bank and account category
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent agency of the United States government that was created by Congress in 1933 to help restore public confidence in the banking system and protect depositors' money. FDIC insurance covers deposits in all types of accounts at FDIC-insured banks, but it does not cover non-deposit investment products, even those offered by FDIC-insured banks.
The standard insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category. This means that if you have a single ownership account at an FDIC-insured bank, and you also have a joint ownership account with one or more people at the same bank, you will be insured for up to $250,000 for your single ownership account deposits and another $250,000 for your joint ownership account deposits.
FDIC insurance covers deposit accounts, including checking accounts, savings accounts, cashier's checks, and money market deposit accounts. It's important to note that FDIC insurance does not cover non-cash investments or losses due to theft or fraud, which are addressed by other laws.
If you want to know if your bank is an FDIC member, you can use the FDIC's BankFind Suite search tool available on their website or call them directly. When you open an account at an FDIC-insured bank, your deposits are automatically insured up to the maximum coverage limit of $250,000.
Understanding the Bank Key in SAP
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$17.55

The FDIC was created in 1933 to restore public confidence in banks
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent agency created by the US Congress during the Great Depression in 1933. The FDIC was established to restore trust in the American banking system and protect depositors' money. Before the FDIC's creation, over one-third of US banks had failed, with approximately 10,000 failures occurring between 1929 and 1933. This led to a wave of bank runs and a widespread loss of confidence in the banking system.
The FDIC insures deposits at member banks, protecting depositors' funds up to a certain limit. The initial insurance limit was set at $2,500 per ownership category in 1933 and has been increased several times since then. As of 2010, with the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the FDIC insures deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, and per ownership category. This limit is backed by the full faith and credit of the US government, ensuring that depositors do not lose their insured funds in the event of a bank failure.
The creation of the FDIC was met with some resistance, including from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who expressed concerns about making the government liable for the mistakes of individual banks. Bankers also opposed the idea, arguing that it would create a moral hazard. However, public support for deposit insurance was strong. The FDIC was established as a temporary government corporation, and it has since become a crucial component of the US financial system, maintaining stability and public confidence.
The FDIC also has additional responsibilities beyond deposit insurance. It examines and supervises financial institutions for safety, soundness, and consumer protection. It also works to make large and complex financial institutions more resolvable and manages receiverships. The FDIC's role in addressing risks associated with systemically important financial institutions has been enhanced through new authorities granted by the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010. These institutions are required to submit resolution plans, and the FDIC established the Office of Complex Financial Institutions to oversee these responsibilities.
Red Bank, New Jersey: Monmouth County's Gem
You may want to see also
Explore related products

FDIC insurance covers deposit accounts, including checking accounts and savings accounts
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is a United States government agency that was established in 1933 to restore public confidence in the country's banking system and protect depositors' money. FDIC insurance covers deposit accounts, including checking accounts and savings accounts, at FDIC-insured banks. This means that if a bank fails, the FDIC ensures that depositors' money—up to a certain limit—is safe.
The standard maximum deposit insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, and per account ownership category. This means that money in different ownership categories, such as a single account and joint account at the same FDIC-insured bank, are separately insured up to at least $250,000. For example, if a person has a savings account at Bank A and a checking account at Bank B, each account would be insured separately up to $250,000.
It's important to note that FDIC insurance only covers deposit accounts and does not cover investments, even if they were purchased at an FDIC-insured bank. Additionally, some accounts at the same bank may be considered part of the same account category, and the coverage limit of $250,000 would apply to the total balance across both accounts. For example, having a savings account and a checking account at the same bank would provide a total coverage of $250,000 for both accounts combined, unless they are joint accounts.
To check if a bank is FDIC-insured, individuals can use the FDIC's BankFind Suite search tool, which allows users to search for all FDIC-insured banks dating back to 1934. When opening an account at an FDIC-insured bank, deposits are automatically insured up to the maximum coverage limit, and there is no need to apply separately for FDIC insurance.
Capital One: Physical Branches or Online-Only?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

FDIC insurance does not cover noncash investments
FDIC insurance is a form of protection offered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, an independent agency of the United States government. It was created in 1933 to restore public confidence in the banking system and protect depositors' money in the event of bank failure. FDIC insurance covers deposits in all types of accounts at FDIC-insured banks, up to a limit of $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, and per ownership category. This limit can be exceeded if you have accounts in different ownership categories.
FDIC insurance does not cover non-deposit investment products, even if they are offered by FDIC-insured banks. This includes US Treasury bills, bonds, or notes, and other noncash investments. These investments are backed by the full faith and credit of the US government but are not insured by the FDIC. If you are considering purchasing non-deposit investment products, it is important to understand that they are not protected by FDIC insurance.
There are alternative forms of protection for certain non-deposit investments. For example, the Securities Investors Protection Corporation (SIPC) is a non-government entity that replaces missing stocks and other securities in customer accounts held by its members up to $500,000, including up to $250,000 in cash, if a member brokerage or bank brokerage subsidiary fails. It is important to note, however, that SIPC insurance does not protect against the loss in value of an investment.
Additionally, the contents of a safe deposit box are not insured by the FDIC. However, other insurance options may be available, such as fire and theft insurance, which can be part of a homeowner's or tenant's insurance policy. It is important to carefully review the contract associated with a safe deposit box to understand what type of insurance coverage, if any, is provided by the bank.
In summary, FDIC insurance provides valuable protection for depositors at member banks, but it is important to understand its limitations. Noncash investments and certain other financial products are not covered by FDIC insurance, and alternative forms of protection should be considered for these types of assets.
Savings Bonds: Are Banks Still Selling Them?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

You can use the FDIC's BankFind tool to check if a bank is FDIC-insured
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent agency of the United States government. It was created in 1933 to restore public confidence in banks and protect depositors' money. FDIC insurance covers eligible deposits at member banks for up to $250,000 per person, per bank, and per account category.
Most banks are FDIC-insured, but if you want to be sure, you can use the FDIC's BankFind tool. This allows you to search for all FDIC-insured banks dating back to 1934. You can also use the FDIC's online Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator to find information about your insured deposits.
If you have any questions about whether your account is insured, you can check the website for your bank or financial institution or contact them directly. You can also call the FDIC toll-free at (877) ASK-FDIC for assistance.
It's important to note that FDIC insurance doesn't cover non-cash investments, and there are some accounts that provide FDIC insurance up to higher limits by allocating deposits across multiple banks.
Blood Bank Testing: What's Being Checked?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent agency of the United States government that was created by Congress in 1933 to help restore public confidence in the banking system and protect depositors' money.
Most banks are FDIC insured. If you want to know for sure if your bank is an FDIC member, you can use the FDIC's BankFind Suite search tool.
FDIC insurance covers deposit accounts, including checking accounts, savings accounts, money market deposit accounts, and certificates of deposit. FDIC insurance covers \$250,000 per person, per bank, and per account category.































