In an age of rising inflation, it can be tempting to put as much of your money to work as possible. While most checking accounts don’t pay interest, there are some that do, referred to as Interest Checking Accounts. In this article, we’ll discuss how these types of accounts work, what fees and requirements may impact your earnings, and when it might be time to move your money elsewhere.
What is an Interest Checking Account
An Interest Checking Account is a deposit account that pays a rate of return on your account balance, similar to a savings account. The difference is that your funds remain readily accessible for everyday use, allowing you to write checks, make deposits, and access online or mobile banking services with ease.
These accounts are often marketed with an annual percentage yield APY that is higher than what is offered on standard checking accounts. This is to attract customers by giving them an incentive to put more of their funds to work in the account. However, these rates aren’t usually as high as those on savings or money market accounts.
Regardless of the APY, there are fees that can eat into your earning potential, including monthly maintenance fees and minimum balance requirements. To mitigate these, you can look for an account that waives these charges if you meet certain conditions, such as a minimum daily balance or number of direct deposits.
Additionally, some institutions offer interest tiers on these accounts, which can further help your money work harder for you. These tiered accounts provide a rate of return that increases as your account balance grows, typically with a minimum daily collected balance requirement. If you find an interest checking account with a tier you like, be sure to understand the details of the account before making your decision.
Many banks, particularly larger national and community banks, offer interest checking accounts as premium products to their customers. These are a good option for individuals who often maintain a significant amount of funds in their checking accounts. Additionally, these accounts can help you take advantage of a favorable APY during times of a relatively low federal funds rate.
How Does an Interest Checking Account Compound Interest
The interest you earn on your checking account balance is compounded periodically, which means that your interest earnings are added to the principal of your account. This can significantly increase the value of your money over time, but it’s important to note that the actual frequency of compounding can vary between financial institutions and be determined by your specific agreement with your bank.
While most people don’t seek out these accounts, there are advantages to moving your funds into an interest checking account. For one, the rate of return can be better than that of a traditional checking account, and it may make more sense for you to invest your funds in other products with more competitive APYs, such as savings or money market accounts.