FDIC deposit insurance generally protects up to $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, per ownership category. The limit is not per account number or branch: balances owned by the same depositor in the same category at the same bank are combined. Some customers can have more than $250,000 covered at one bank if their deposits genuinely qualify under separate ownership categories and meet each category’s rules.
How the $250,000 FDIC limit works
The standard maximum is $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, for each account ownership category, according to the FDIC’s deposit-insurance guidance. The FDIC combines accounts that belong to the same depositor, fall in the same ownership category, and are held at the same insured bank.
- More accounts do not automatically mean more coverage. Multiple checking or savings accounts in the same category at one bank are added together.
- More branches do not mean more coverage. Branches of the same bank share the same limit.
- Different insured banks are assessed separately. Accounts at separately chartered FDIC-insured banks have separate limits.
- Different ownership categories can have separate limits. That applies only when the actual ownership, account records, and category-specific requirements qualify; changing an account label alone does not create extra coverage.
The main consumer categories include single accounts, joint accounts, certain retirement accounts, trust accounts, employee benefit plan accounts, accounts of corporations, partnerships and unincorporated associations, and government accounts. Some categories—especially trust, employee benefit, and government accounts—have detailed conditions, so a simple rule of thumb may not calculate them accurately.
Which accounts and products are covered?
FDIC insurance applies to eligible deposits at an FDIC-insured bank, not to every financial product a bank sells or holds. Covered deposit products include:
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- Checking and Negotiable Order of Withdrawal (NOW) accounts
- Savings accounts and money market deposit accounts
- Certificates of deposit and other time deposits
- Some official bank items, such as cashier’s checks and money orders
- Certain prepaid-card balances, when the program and account meet FDIC requirements
For a full product overview, see the FDIC’s deposit insurance resources. A bank’s role as seller or custodian does not turn a non-deposit investment into an insured deposit.
What FDIC deposit insurance does not cover
FDIC deposit insurance does not cover stocks, bonds, mutual funds, crypto assets, annuities, life insurance policies, municipal securities, or U.S. Treasury bills, notes, and bonds. Safe deposit boxes and their contents are also outside deposit insurance. Treasury securities have a separate form of U.S. government backing; that is not FDIC deposit insurance.
When an account or service is offered through a financial brand that is not itself a bank, identify the legal bank holding the funds and confirm what kind of asset you own. A balance displayed in an app is not, by itself, proof that the balance is an insured bank deposit.
What happens to insured deposits when a bank fails?
FDIC insurance protects qualifying deposits when an insured depository institution fails. Coverage includes principal and interest accrued or due through the date of the bank’s failure, subject to the applicable limit. The FDIC may arrange for an acquiring bank to assume insured deposits; if that does not happen, it identifies depositors and determines insured amounts as part of resolving the failure. The exact process depends on the circumstances, so there is no universal payout timetable to assume.
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Coverage is automatic for qualifying deposits at an insured bank; a depositor does not apply for insurance. It is still important to verify that the institution is FDIC-insured and to understand how deposits are titled and held.
How pass-through coverage works for fintech and third-party accounts
Funds placed at an insured bank through a broker, fintech company, or other intermediary may receive pass-through insurance. This is not a separate ownership category. If the requirements are satisfied, the FDIC evaluates the funds as deposits belonging to the actual customer or other beneficial owner, rather than treating the intermediary as the owner.
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Pass-through treatment depends on the account relationship and records identifying each owner and that owner’s interest. If the requirements are not met, deposits may instead be aggregated with the intermediary’s other deposits and insured to the intermediary under the applicable category and limit. A provider’s general statement that its service is “FDIC insured” therefore does not establish that every customer’s entire balance is covered. See the FDIC’s guidance on deposit insurance for financial products for details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to estimate your own coverage
Use the FDIC’s Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE) for a personalized estimate. Gather the information below before entering accounts:
- Identify the legal bank. Find the FDIC-insured institution holding each deposit, including funds accessed through a third party.
- List the relevant balances. Include accrued interest where applicable, and note the ownership and titling of each account.
- Group deposits by owner, bank, and category. Combine accounts that belong to the same depositor in the same category at the same bank.
- Check special-category details. For joint accounts, trust arrangements, employee benefit plans, government accounts, or business entities, verify that the specific requirements are met rather than relying on account labels alone.
- Review third-party arrangements. If a broker or fintech holds the funds, confirm which bank holds them and whether records support pass-through treatment.
For complicated arrangements, consult the FDIC’s official guidance or a qualified professional. The FDIC says an official digital FDIC sign is to appear on bank websites, bank applications, and certain ATMs beginning March 1, 2026. Treat signage as one verification clue, not a substitute for identifying the legal bank and how the funds are held.
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