Depository services include checking and savings accounts, and transfer of funds (e-payments through online banking or debit cards). A number of regulations affect the rules governing these services and protect your rights to receive timely information about fees and interest paid. Your account agreement, descriptive brochures provided by banks, and bank staff can explain terms and answer questions you may have. You should also review Answers about Bank Accounts on HelpWithMyBank.gov.

In This Section

• Checking and Savings Accounts
• Electronic Fund Transfers
• Expedited Funds Availability
• Interest on Deposits
• Overdraft Protection
• Reserve Requirements
• Time Accounts
• Truth in Savings

Checking and Savings Accounts

The FDIC insures all types of deposits—CD's, checking, savings, money market, and NOW accounts—held in all FDIC-insured depository institutions, including national banks. The permanent standard insurance amount is $250,000, per depositor, per insured depository institution for each account ownership category. In addition, all deposits held in noninterest-bearing transaction accounts are fully insured, separately from any interest-bearing deposits the owner may hold at the same bank, through December 31, 2012.  

For more information about deposit insurance, visit the FDIC's Web site Are My Deposits Insured?  In addition, bankers and consumers can call the FDIC at 1-877-ASK-FDIC (1-877-275-3342) for information on the FDIC insurance coverage.

When writing a check, you have specific rights. See “Writing a Check: Understanding Your Rights” and Answers about Bank Accounts for more information.

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Electronic Fund Transfers

Electronic fund transfers (EFTs) instruct a financial institution to either credit or debit your account electronically. ATM transactions, direct payroll deposits, and online banking are examples of EFTs. To protect your rights in these transactions, the Electronic Fund Transfers Act (EFTA)

• Restricts unsolicited issuance of ATM cards,
• Requires institutions to inform you about EFT service terms and conditions,
• Requires institutions to document EFTs with receipts and/or account statements,
• Limits your liability for unauthorized transfers, and
• Establishes procedures to resolve errors.

Answers about ATMs and Electronic Funds Transfer.

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Expedited Funds Availability

The Expedited Funds Availability Act requires banks to use a standardized hold period on deposits and to let you know when funds from deposits will be available. Many banks will post this information in the customer service area. See Answers about Funds Availability for more information.

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Interest on Deposits

You are probably familiar with the interest you can earn on savings accounts, money market accounts, and CDs. Banks may also pay interest on certain types of checking accounts. Depending on the type of account, the bank may restrict you to a certain number of withdrawals over a specified period. Early withdrawals on some types of accounts may result in an interest penalty. Your bank must provide you with information about the types of deposit accounts available to you, how and when they pay interest, and any restrictions on withdrawals, including early withdrawal penalties. Read Answers about Bank Account Disclosures and Answers about Interest Bearing Accounts for more information.

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Overdraft Protection

Overdraft protection is another service related to checking accounts. “Protecting Yourself from Overdraft and Bounced-Check Fees” provides information to help you avoid overdrafts and make informed decisions regarding the purchase of overdraft protection. Also see Answers about Overdraft Fees and Protection.

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Reserve Requirements

Under Regulation D, the Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) requires depository institutions (such as banks) to hold a certain amount of funds in reserve against their customers' deposits. The Fed uses reserve requirements (or reserve ratios) as one of the tools of monetary policy to manage the supply, availability, and cost of money. The Fed's overall goal is to maintain a healthy economy, with maximum employment and stable prices and interest rates. Read In Plain English: Making Sense of the Federal Reserve on the Federal Reserve Board Web site.

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Time Accounts

Time accounts are typically savings accounts that require you to leave your funds in the account for a fixed term. Usually these types of accounts require you to provide a certain amount of notice or to pay a penalty or fee if you remove your funds before the end of the term. Read Answers about Checking, Savings, and Other Banking Accounts for more.

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Truth in Savings

The Truth in Savings Act (TISA), entitles you to receive information from depository institutions to help you shop for financial services and to make informed decisions about your accounts. TISA requires these institutions to give you information about fees, the annual percentage yield, interest rate, and other terms for deposit accounts. You are entitled to receive this information

• When you open an account,
• Upon request,
• When the terms of your account are changed,
• When a periodic statement is sent, and
• For most time accounts, before the account matures.

In general, a “time account” is a savings account that requires you to leave your funds in the account for a fixed term. Usually these types of accounts require you to provide a certain amount of notice or to pay an interest penalty if you remove your funds before the fixed term ends. Learn more. Read OCC’s Answers about Checking, Savings, and Other Banking Accounts.

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