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When you open an account at a bank or credit union, you may come across minimum requirements. Some banks and credit unions require you to deposit a minimum amount of money to open a checking, savings, CD or money market account. These financial institutions also may require you to meet certain minimum balance requirements to qualify for an APY or avoid a fee.
Here’s what you need to know about bank account minimum deposit and minimum balance requirements.
What Is a Minimum Deposit?
Generally, a minimum deposit is a set amount of money that a bank or credit union requires you to come up with to open an account or obtain certain benefits.
Below are two common minimum deposit types you may see.
Minimum Opening Deposit
A minimum opening deposit is a certain amount of money—usually $25 to $100—that a bank or credit union requires you to deposit to open a checking or savings account. Some financial institutions do not require a minimum opening deposit. For certificates of deposits (CDs), minimum opening deposits could be considerably higher.
To make a minimum opening deposit, you typically can transfer money from another financial institution or transfer money from another account at the same financial institution. You also may be able to make an opening deposit with a debit card, check or money order. Typically, you can initially deposit more money than is required.
Minimum Monthly Deposit
In some cases, a bank or credit union might require you to make a minimum monthly deposit to qualify for certain account benefits. For instance, a minimum monthly deposit may be required to earn a higher APY on a savings account, or a minimum monthly deposit may be required to avoid a monthly fee for a savings account.
Do Minimum Deposit Amounts Vary?
Minimum deposit amounts vary among banks and credit unions. Here are some examples of minimum opening deposit requirements across four different banking products:
Checking Accounts
| Institution | Checking Account | Minimum Deposit |
|---|---|---|
Axos Bank | Axos Bank Rewards Checking | $50 |
Bank of America | Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking® | $100 |
Capital One | Capital One Essential Checking | $50 |
Varo Bank | Varo Bank Account | $0 |
Wells Fargo | Wells Fargo Everyday Checking | $25 |
Savings Accounts
| Institution | Savings Account | Minimum Deposit |
|---|---|---|
U.S. Bank | U.S. Bank Standard Savings Account | $25 |
Ally Bank | Ally Bank Savings Account | $0 |
American Express National Bank | American Express® High Yield Savings Account | $0 |
Marcus by Goldman Sachs | Marcus by Goldman Sachs High-Yield Online Savings Account | $0 |
Quontic Bank | Quontic Bank High Yield Savings | $100 |
CDs
| Institution | Certificate Account | Minimum Deposit |
|---|---|---|
Ally Bank | Ally Bank Certificates of Deposit | $0 |
Bank of America | Bank of America Fixed Term Certificates of Deposit | $1,000 |
Bread Savings | Bread Savings Certificate of Deposit | $1,500 |
Connexus Credit Union | Connexus Credit Union Share Certificate | $5,000 |
First National Bank of America | First National Bank of America Certificates of Deposit | $1,000 |
Money Market Accounts
| Institution | Money Market Account | Minimum Deposit |
|---|---|---|
Axos Bank | Axos Bank High Yield Money Market | $1,000 |
CIT Bank | CIT Bank Money Market Account | $100 |
First Internet Bank | First Internet Bank Money Market Savings | $100 |
Sallie Mae Bank | Sallie Mae Bank Money Market Account | $0 |
Synchrony Bank | Synchrony Bank Money Market Account | $0 |
What Is a Minimum Balance?
Many banks and credit unions require that you keep a minimum amount of money in a checking or savings account. This is generally known as a minimum balance requirement. In some cases, maintaining a minimum balance may let you reduce or eliminate fees or earn a higher APY.
The amount required for a minimum balance may differ from that required for a minimum deposit.
Different Types of Minimum Balances
Minimum balances requirements come in different forms, and your financial institution may require any one of these three:
- Minimum daily balance. Financial institutions may require that you keep a daily minimum amount of money in an account to avoid fees or earn interest.
- Average minimum balance. A financial institution calculates an average monthly balance by taking the amount of money in your account at the end of each day during a statement period and dividing it by the number of days during the statement period.
- Minimum combined balance. To come up with a minimum combined balance, a financial institution averages the amount of money you have each month in various accounts such as checking and savings accounts.
How Is the Minimum Balance Calculated on Bank Statements?
There are various ways to calculate the minimum balance on a bank statement. Some banks use a straightforward minimum balance calculation method, where anytime your balance dips below that threshold, you’re automatically charged a fee for the month.
Other institutions use a “daily minimum balance” calculation that tracks your balance at the end or beginning of each business day and uses that amount to determine whether you’ve dipped below the limit. If a bank includes the word “average” in its requirements, it probably adds all your daily minimum balances for the month and divides that by the number of days in the month.
What if You Don’t Maintain the Minimum Balance?
Sometimes, you can face consequences for failing to maintain a minimum balance. For instance, you may be hit with a monthly maintenance fee if your balance falls below the minimum. Or, you may need to keep a minimum balance to earn a certain amount of interest.
How To Avoid Minimum Balance Requirements
You can take a number of steps to avoid minimum balance requirements. Here are six of them:
- Know your financial institution’s minimum balance requirements. Typically, you can find balance requirements on the financial institution’s website.
- Look for accounts that don’t come with minimum balance requirements. Some banks and credit unions don’t have these requirements for certain accounts.
- Set up direct deposit. Having your paycheck automatically deposited into one of your accounts might prevent you from dipping below the minimum balance.
- Establish recurring transfers. Let’s say you have a checking account and a savings account at the same financial institution, and the savings account comes with a minimum balance requirement. To sidestep the minimum balance requirement on the savings account, you might create recurring transfers from your checking account to your savings account.
- Open more than one account at the same financial institution. Some financial institutions eliminate account fees if you maintain more than one account with them.
- Be careful with your debit card. If you don’t pay close attention to your debit card transactions, you may find your account has dropped below the minimum balance required before you even know it.
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Bottom Line
Banks impose several different types of minimum balance requirements. If you don’t meet them, you may get charged a fee, lose any interest you were set to earn that month or forgo other perks. The best way to avoid minimum balance requirements is by opening one of the best fee-free bank accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Do all accounts have a minimum deposit requirement?
No, not all accounts at financial institutions have a minimum deposit requirement. However, for those that do, you may not be able to open an account if you can’t come up with the minimum deposit.
How much is a minimum opening deposit?
Minimum opening deposits vary among banks and credit unions and the type of account. If a minimum opening deposit is required for a checking account, for example, it’s often $25 to $100.
Why do financial institutions have minimum deposits and balances?
Some financial institutions require minimum deposits and balances to make money to cover overhead costs and lend money. A bank or credit union may consider an account with no money in it more hassle than it’s worth.
What Is a traditional savings account's typical minimum balance?
While some traditional savings accounts have no minimum balance requirements, most of them do. Major national banks typically require a minimum balance of around $300 to $500 or more to avoid monthly service fees ranging from $5 to $12 or more.
As a seasoned financial expert with a deep understanding of banking practices and requirements, I can provide valuable insights into the concepts discussed in the Forbes Advisor article. My extensive experience in the financial industry allows me to shed light on various aspects of minimum deposits, minimum balances, and related considerations.
Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
Minimum Deposit:
1. Minimum Opening Deposit:
- Definition: The initial amount required to open a checking or savings account.
- Examples: Axos Bank Rewards Checking requires $50, Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking® requires $100.
- Variation: Minimum opening deposits for CDs can be considerably higher.
2. Minimum Monthly Deposit:
- Definition: A requirement to make a minimum deposit each month for specific account benefits.
- Purpose: May be necessary to qualify for a higher APY or avoid monthly fees.
- Example: Some savings accounts may require a minimum monthly deposit.
3. Variation in Minimum Deposit Amounts:
- Observation: Minimum deposit requirements vary among banks and credit unions.
- Examples: Varied minimum opening deposit requirements for checking, savings, CDs, and money market accounts.
Minimum Balance:
1. Types of Minimum Balances:
- Minimum Daily Balance: Requires maintaining a daily minimum amount to avoid fees or earn interest.
- Average Minimum Balance: Calculated by averaging the account balance over a statement period.
- Minimum Combined Balance: Averages the money across various accounts like checking and savings.
2. Minimum Balance Calculation on Bank Statements:
- Methods: Some banks use a straightforward minimum balance calculation; others use a "daily minimum balance" approach.
- Terminology: Use of the term "average" indicates a calculation based on daily minimum balances for the month.
3. Consequences of Not Maintaining Minimum Balance:
- Possible Fees: Monthly maintenance fees may apply if the balance falls below the minimum.
- Impact on Interest: Minimum balance may be necessary to earn a certain amount of interest.
4. Avoiding Minimum Balance Requirements:
- Strategies: Know institution's requirements, opt for accounts without minimum balance requirements, set up direct deposit, establish recurring transfers, open multiple accounts.
- Caution: Monitoring debit card transactions to prevent unintentional balance drops.
Additional Insights:
1. Purpose of Minimum Deposits and Balances:
- Revenue Generation: Financial institutions implement these requirements to cover costs and generate revenue.
- Operational Consideration: An account with no funds may be deemed more hassle than it's worth.
2. FAQ Responses:
- Not All Accounts: Not all accounts have a minimum deposit requirement.
- Varying Opening Deposits: Minimum opening deposits vary, often ranging from $25 to $100.
- Reason for Requirements: Financial institutions use minimum deposits and balances to cover costs and facilitate lending.
As a financial enthusiast well-versed in the intricacies of banking, I offer these insights to enhance your understanding of the nuanced concepts surrounding minimum deposits and balances in the financial landscape.
