What is interest bearing account?
An interest bearing account is one in which you earn interest on the money that you deposit with the bank.
When you put money into an interest bearing account or a high-yield savings account, the bank either invests it or lends it to other bank customers.
An interest payment equal to a percentage of that revenue is delivered to you.
Since most savings accounts are limited to six transactions per month, interest bearing checking accounts can be an excellent alternative to keeping your money in a savings account.
You will have limitless access to your funds if you retain your deposits in an interest bearing checking account. That means you can use the same account to spend and save.
However, if you are okay with how savings accounts operate, you are be likely to earn more interest with regards to interest bearing accounts.
Criteria of Assessing Returns on an Interest Bearing Account
- Varying tranches of the account balance may be subject to different interest rates.
- The bank may require you to maintain a minimum amount in their account in order to get the return.
- There may be a limit below or beyond which no interest is due.
Customers with interest bearing accounts can withdraw their funds whenever they want without incurring any fees or penalties.
There are many different types of interest bearing accounts available, and each bank has its own set of terms and restrictions.
In some circumstances, these accounts, which are primarily designed for savings, do not allow for direct debit of bills or loan applications, and no cards are frequently supplied.
Interest Bearing Account Types
There are various kinds of accounts that pay interest to depositors.
Savings accounts, money market accounts, high-yield online savings accounts, and Certificates of Deposit are just a few of the options.
The type of interest bearing account that is suitable for you is determined by your goals, timeframe, and administrative requirements.
1. MMA (Money Market Account)
This account is a combination of a savings and a checking account.
MMAs usually have a higher minimum deposit, but they come with all of the benefits of a checking account, such as check writing and debit card use.
MMAs may pay a larger rate of interest than savings accounts, similar to what you’d get from a high-yield online savings account.
You may also be restricted to a certain number of withdrawals each month.
2. Savings Account
This is the interest bearing accounts’ white bread.
Savings accounts are the most basic, day-to-day accounts offered by most institutions. To shift money back and forth, most banks allow you to link your savings account to your checking account.
Since the money is usually accessible, it’s a smart place to keep your emergency fund. Alternatively, if you find it difficult to save and the money is too easy to reach, you may wish to open a savings account with a new bank or look into the other account options.
The disadvantage of traditional savings accounts is that they typically give very low interest rates to customers.
A savings account, on the other hand, may be the best option if convenience is your top priority.
Read: How Much Savings Should I Have At 40
3. High-yield Savings Account
Compared to ordinary banks, high-yield savings accounts often provide greater interest rates.
This is because these accounts are mostly available through credit unions, internet-only banks, and traditional banks’ online banking divisions.
In other words, businesses can afford to charge clients greater charges because they don’t have to pay for the brick-and-mortar trappings.
Money can be transferred in and out of a high-yield savings account, although transactions may take longer to complete.
If that’s a priority, be mindful of the potential lag time and lack of access to a bank teller.
4. CDs (Certificates of Deposit)
As long as you don’t withdraw your money for a specific amount of time, a Certificate of Deposit pays a fixed rate of interest.
The longer you keep your money in a CD, the higher the interest rate you’ll usually get.
This period of time might last anything from a few months to several years. Because early withdrawals might result in penalties, a Certificate of Deposit is a smart location to keep money you don’t plan on spending in the short-run.
Fees Associated with an Interest Bearing Account
There may be a number of fees associated with opening an interest bearing account.
Ensure to look things up ahead of time so you don’t receive any unpleasant shocks when attempting to withdraw money or checking your monthly balance.
Minimum account fees
If you don’t keep a particular amount in your account, you can be charged.
Fees for maintenance
Some accounts require a monthly or yearly fee to maintain and keep the account open.
Fees for withdrawals
Depending on the account, you may be charged a fee or face penalties if you try to withdraw the funds.
How to Increase your Interest Earnings
There are ways to increase your earnings with an interest bearing account.
1. Open a high-yielding checking account
Some checking accounts have high interest rates, but they come with some stipulations.
You might need to sign up for direct deposit and make at least a dozen debit card transactions per month to qualify.
However, if you meet the standards, your money could generate a high rate of return.
2. Open an online savings account with a high rate of return
You don’t have to settle for the pennies on the dollar that a traditional brick-and-mortar bank could offer on a regular savings account.
Many online banks provide high-yield savings accounts with competitive interest rates and no monthly fees.
3. Become a member of a credit union
Traditional banks have slightly lower average savings rates than credit unions.
Credit unions, for example, pay an average of 0.85 percent on five-year CDs as of 2020, compared to 0.70 percent at banks, according to the NCUA.
For prices, contact your local credit union.
4. Develop a “CD ladder”
Divide the money you’re putting aside into many certificates of deposit with varied term lengths and use a CD ladder to do it.
You’ll have more access to your money than you would with Certificates of Deposits while also benefiting from the top CD rates, which are often higher than the average savings account interest.
I hope you have learned something about an interest bearing account.