Benefits of an Interest-Bearing Checking Account
February 01, 2022
What is an interest-bearing checking account?
An interest-bearing checking account is a checking account that accrues interest/dividends at a set rate. Traditional checking accounts do not earn interest/dividends since they're designed to be used to hold funds for everyday expenses. Savings accounts do earn interest, but accessibility of funds is limited because these accounts are designed and intended to be used for long-term savings rather than everyday transactions. A checking account that earns interest blends the best of these two accounts by offering an attractive rate, or annual percentage yield (APY), while allowing for greater accessibility of funds.
For one, you may need to pay a small monthly maintenance fee, which is generally not present for most standard checking accounts. You'll also need to maintain a minimum account balance to earn the interest on your funds. Some institutions charge a fee for accounts that dip below the minimum requirement. Finally, many interest checking accounts require a minimum amount of monthly debit card transactions, which may be challenging to meet depending on your spending habits.
An interest-bearing checking account is a checking account that accrues interest/dividends at a set rate. Traditional checking accounts do not earn interest/dividends since they're designed to be used to hold funds for everyday expenses. Savings accounts do earn interest, but accessibility of funds is limited because these accounts are designed and intended to be used for long-term savings rather than everyday transactions. A checking account that earns interest blends the best of these two accounts by offering an attractive rate, or annual percentage yield (APY), while allowing for greater accessibility of funds.
What are the benefits of an interest checking account?
There are several key advantages to opening an interest/dividend checking account:
- Accessibility of funds. Unlike a savings account, the funds in an interest checking account can be accessed at any time via debit card, paper checks, automatic electronic payments, and online bill payments.
- Interest. Interest will accrue on the account balance and be paid out periodically.
Low or no fees. Maintenance fees on interest-bearing consumer checking accounts tend to be nominal. Some financial institutions do not charge any fees on these accounts at all. - Banking benefits. An interest checking account often provides the account holder with access to other benefits, including online banking, overdraft protection, access to mobile banking apps, automatic payroll deductions, and more.
What are the disadvantages of an interest checking account?
Interest-bearing checking accounts do have some disadvantages compared to traditional checking accounts.For one, you may need to pay a small monthly maintenance fee, which is generally not present for most standard checking accounts. You'll also need to maintain a minimum account balance to earn the interest on your funds. Some institutions charge a fee for accounts that dip below the minimum requirement. Finally, many interest checking accounts require a minimum amount of monthly debit card transactions, which may be challenging to meet depending on your spending habits.
Why would a consumer choose an interest-bearing or dividend-bearing checking account over a savings account?
As mentioned, interest checking accounts offer all the key features of regular checking and savings accounts. However, unlike a savings account, you can access these funds in your checking account at any time. This provides greater flexibility and makes these accounts an excellent option for an individual who is seeking to grow their money without tying it up in case they need to withdraw funds in the near future.Types of interest checking accounts
Not all interest checking accounts are created equal. While exact features and structure differ with each financial institution, there are two primary categories for interest/dividend checking accounts:- Standard interest checking accounts. These accounts pay lower interest rates but also impose less stringent requirements. Some institutions pay a higher interest rate as the balance in the account increases. Fees on these accounts may include maintenance fees, overdraft fees, and fees for using an ATM not belonging to the financial institution.
- Rewards checking accounts. These accounts, also called high-yield or high-interest checking accounts, pay a more competitive APY than standard interest/dividend checking accounts but have more stringent requirements, such as a minimum number of debit card transactions each month. In addition, interest is often awarded in a tiered structure, with the highest rate only awarded to accounts that meet a minimum balance. The APY gradually decreases by tiers along with the account balance. Finally, there can be a cap on the amount of money that can accrue interest at the highest offered rate.
If you choose to open a rewards checking account, consider setting up recurring monthly payments to be automatically charged to your debit card to meet the required number of monthly transactions - and make sure they are settled/posted by the end of the rewards cycle.
Are you ready to start putting your money to work with a dividend-bearing checking account? An Education First FCU Money Market Checking account offers an attractive dividend rate, absolutely no fees, and easy eligibility requirements. Give us a call at (409) 898-3770, click to send us a message, or stop by your nearest Education First branch to learn more!
