
Banks in the United States are typically insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which protects depositors against the loss of their insured deposits in the event of an FDIC-insured bank failure. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, the FDIC does not insure non-deposit investment products like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and annuities, even if they were purchased from an FDIC-insured bank. Additionally, certain financial institutions, such as credit unions, state-chartered banks, and privately held banks, may not carry FDIC insurance. It is important to verify whether a bank is FDIC-insured by checking the FDIC's BankFind database or consulting the bank directly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Banks in the US | Most banks in the US are FDIC-insured, but some are not. |
| Bank Types | All National, state member, and state non-member banks are FDIC-insured. However, some state-chartered or privately held banks may not be. |
| Exceptions | The Bank of North Dakota is state-run and insured by the state rather than the federal government. Credit unions are not insured by the FDIC but have equivalent insurance from the NCUA. Foreign banks do not carry FDIC insurance. |
| Non-Bank Companies | Non-bank companies are never FDIC-insured, even if they partner with FDIC-insured banks. |
| Financial Products | The FDIC does not insure all types of accounts or financial products. For example, safe deposit box contents, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and annuities are not covered by FDIC insurance. |
| Insurance Limits | The FDIC has protection limits, and eligible accounts are insured up to $250,000 for principal and interest. |
| Verification | To verify if a bank is FDIC-insured, you can check the FDIC's BankFind database or consult the bank directly. |
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What You'll Learn

Non-deposit investment products
Banks in the United States are typically insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which protects depositors against the loss of their insured deposits in the event of an FDIC-insured bank failure. FDIC insurance covers deposits in all types of accounts at FDIC-insured banks, but notably, it does not cover non-deposit investment products, even if they are offered by FDIC-insured banks.
It is important to understand your financial goals, risk tolerance, and other factors when considering non-deposit investment products. These products are not insured by the FDIC, meaning that no one can guarantee that you will make money from your investments, and they may lose value. Therefore, it is recommended to work with a sales representative or broker/dealer who understands your financial objectives and can help you select a product that suits your needs.
To ensure that your funds are insured, you can place your money in a deposit account at an FDIC-insured bank, where coverage is automatic. FDIC deposit insurance covers up to $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, for each account ownership category. You can verify whether a financial institution is FDIC-insured by checking the FDIC's BankFind database or by consulting directly with the bank.
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State-insured banks
Banks in the United States are typically insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This insurance protects depositors against the loss of their insured deposits in the event of an FDIC-insured bank failure. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
One notable example of a state-insured bank is the Bank of North Dakota, which is state-run and insured by the state of North Dakota rather than the federal government. This means that deposits in this bank are not covered by FDIC insurance, but by the state's insurance program. Similarly, federal credit unions are not insured by the FDIC but have equivalent insurance provided by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
It is important to note that some states may offer their own deposit insurance programs, which can cover amounts that exceed the FDIC's insurance limits. These state insurance programs are typically managed by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) and were first established in 1829 by New York State. By 1933, a total of 14 states had implemented their own deposit insurance systems. However, after the National Bank Act of 1863, many state banks converted to national charters, and the state insurance funds were no longer as prevalent.
The FDIC provides insurance for deposits in commercial banks and thrifts, and it is mandatory for all federally-chartered banks and savings institutions. The FDIC manages two deposit insurance funds: the Bank Insurance Fund (BIF) and the Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF). The BIF insures deposits in commercial banks and savings banks up to a maximum of $100,000 per account, and these insured banks pay for deposit insurance through premium assessments on their domestic deposits.
It is important to verify whether a financial institution is FDIC-insured by checking the FDIC's BankFind database or consulting directly with the bank. This information can also be found on the Conference of State Bank Supervisors website, which provides links to state banking departments. Understanding the insurance status of deposits and investments is crucial for making informed financial decisions.
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Credit unions
Banks in the United States are typically insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which protects depositors against the loss of their insured deposits in the event of an FDIC-insured bank failure. However, credit unions are not insured by the FDIC. Instead, they are insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), which is the government agency that insures deposits at member credit unions. The NCUA was created by Congress as an independent federal agency to oversee the deposit insurance coverage the US government provides to members of federally insured credit unions.
The NCUA and FDIC have similar rules and processes, as well as the same cap on insurance coverage, which is $250,000 per depositor, per federally insured credit union, per ownership category. The NCUA provides federal insurance for deposits at credit unions, while the FDIC provides federal insurance for deposits at banks. Both agencies require member banks and credit unions to display their affiliation in locations where it's easy for customers to see them, such as in financial institution windows, at teller stations, and online.
The NCUA website provides a share insurance estimator to help consumers determine whether all their assets are insured. Credit union members can calculate the amount of insured funds at a federally insured credit union using the NCUA's Share Insurance Estimator. This estimator can be used for personal, business, or government accounts.
It is important to verify whether a financial institution is FDIC-insured by checking the FDIC's BankFind database or consulting the bank directly. Similarly, to find out if a credit union is federally insured, you can use the NCUA's searchable database.
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Foreign banks
Banks outside the United States do not carry FDIC insurance. These are typically domestic banks that operate outside the US, even though they may do business outside the country. For example, a corporation with an office in the Caribbean with a bank account at Bank of America may make deposits to a local branch. These are referred to as "foreign deposits".
Foreign deposits are payable only in the country in which the deposit was made. This means that if a bank fails, the depositor loses their money. However, deposits in an insured branch of a foreign bank that are payable by contract in the US are entitled to FDIC insurance coverage. The coverage limits are the same as for US banks.
It is important to note that the availability of deposit insurance is not limited to citizens and residents of the US. Any person or entity that maintains deposits in an Insured Depository Institution (IDI) is eligible for deposit insurance coverage. The FDIC insures the balance of each depositor's accounts, dollar-for-dollar, up to the applicable insurance limit, which is currently $250,000.
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Non-bank companies
It is important to note that non-bank companies are never FDIC-insured. Even if they partner with FDIC-insured banks, funds you send to a non-bank company are not FDIC-insured unless and until the company deposits them in an FDIC-insured bank.
When considering a non-bank company, it is crucial to understand the terms and conditions of the financial products they offer and how your funds are protected. Non-deposit investment products, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, and life insurance policies, are not covered by FDIC insurance, even if purchased from an FDIC-insured bank.
To make informed financial decisions, always verify the insurance status of your deposits and investments. You can do this by checking the FDIC's BankFind database or consulting directly with the financial institution. Remember that FDIC insurance is designed to protect your deposits in the event of an insured bank failure, providing peace of mind for your hard-earned money.
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Frequently asked questions
The FDIC does not insure non-deposit investment products such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, and U.S. Treasury Bills, even if they are purchased from an FDIC-insured bank.
No, while most banks in the US are insured by the FDIC, there are some exceptions. For example, the Bank of North Dakota is state-run and insured by the state rather than the federal government.
No, federal credit unions are not insured by the FDIC. Instead, they have equivalent insurance from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
You can verify whether a bank is FDIC-insured by checking the FDIC's BankFind database or by consulting the bank directly.
If you deposit money in a bank that is not FDIC-insured, your money may not be protected in the event of bank failure. The FDIC provides deposit insurance to protect your money up to a certain amount if an FDIC-insured bank fails.
































