Is it safer to have your money in a bank or a credit union?
However, because credit unions serve mostly individuals and small businesses (rather than large investors) and are known to take fewer risks, credit unions are generally viewed as safer than banks in the event of a collapse. Regardless, both types of financial institutions are equally protected.
Like banks, which are federally insured by the FDIC, credit unions are insured by the NCUA, making them just as safe as banks. The National Credit Union Administration is a US government agency that regulates and supervises credit unions.
Limited accessibility. Credit unions tend to have fewer branches than traditional banks. A credit union may not be close to where you live or work, which could be a problem unless your credit union is part of a shared branch network and/or a large ATM network such as Allpoint or MoneyPass.
Both can be hit hard by tough economic conditions, but credit unions were statistically less likely to fail during the Great Recession. But no matter which you go with, you shouldn't worry about losing money. Both credit unions and banks have deposit insurance and are generally safe places for your money.
Generally, the safest places to save money include a savings account, certificate of deposit (CD) or government securities like treasury bonds and bills. Understanding your savings and investment options can help you decide the best place to park your savings.
If the bank fails, you'll get your money back. Nearly all banks are FDIC insured. You can look for the FDIC logo at bank teller windows or on the entrance to your bank branch. Credit unions are insured by the National Credit Union Administration.
Credit unions do fail from time to time, too, and have seen a few more failures in recent years than banks.
For decades, bankers have objected to the tax breaks and sponsor subsidies enjoyed by credit unions and not available to banks. Because such challenges haven't slowed down the growth of credit unions, banks continue to look for other reasons to allege unfair competition.
Generally, credit unions are viewed as safer than banks, although deposits at both types of financial institutions are usually insured at the same dollar amounts. The FDIC insures deposits at most banks, and the NCUA insures deposits at most credit unions.
Credit unions operate to promote the well-being of their members. Profits made by credit unions are returned back to members in the form of reduced fees, higher savings rates and lower loan rates.
Which is safer FDIC or NCUA?
One of the only differences between NCUA and FDIC coverage is that the FDIC will also insure cashier's checks and money orders. Otherwise, banks and credit unions are equally protected, and your deposit accounts are safe with either option.
Which is Safer, a Bank or a Credit Union? As long as you are banking at a federally insured institution, whether it is a credit union insured by the NCUA or a bank by the FDIC, your money is equally safe. Credit unions are owned by the members—your savings account at a credit union is a share of ownership.
National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) credit unions had seven conservatorships/liquidations in 2022 and two so far in 2023.
| Bank NameBank | CityCity | Closing DateClosing |
|---|---|---|
| Heartland Tri-State Bank | Elkhart | July 28, 2023 |
| First Republic Bank | San Francisco | May 1, 2023 |
| Signature Bank | New York | March 12, 2023 |
| Silicon Valley Bank | Santa Clara | March 10, 2023 |
Cash equivalents are financial instruments that are almost as liquid as cash and are popular investments for millionaires. Examples of cash equivalents are money market mutual funds, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and Treasury bills. Some millionaires keep their cash in Treasury bills.
There aren't any traditional banks offering a 7% interest savings account in the U.S., but you will find some credit unions that offer checking accounts and certificates with rates near or above 7.00% APY. It's important to note that savings account rates are variable and can change at any time.
If a credit union is placed into liquidation, the NCUA's Asset Management and Assistance Center (AMAC) will oversee the liquidation and set up an asset management estate (AME) to manage assets, settle members' insurance claims, and attempt to recover value from the closed credit union's assets.
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The not for profit status of credit unions offer several advantages to consumers that a traditional bank simply cannot compete with. These include providing low-interest rates on loans and higher interest rates on financial deposits.
Most Deposits Are Insured Through the NCUA
From a consumer perspective, the major benefit of the FDIC is its insurance coverage of up to $250,000 per depositor. This insurance provides peace of mind that money won't be lost should a bank fail. While credit unions aren't covered by the FDIC, their deposits are insured.
How safe are the banks right now?
Your money is safe in a bank with FDIC insurance. A bank account is typically the safest place for your cash, since banks can be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured institution, per ownership category.
Credit unions are federally insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), which is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The bank equivalent is the (more widely known) Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
You'll save more money.
Instead of paying shareholders a portion of the profit generated, credit unions return their profits to their member-owners in the form of better dividends on savings, lower interest rates on loans, interest-earning checking and fewer fees.
Banks have better products
Not only it's free with no minimum balance, you are actually paid reward points worth $5/month to use it. My credit cards are also issued by banks, not credit unions. These cards offer better rewards.
If you want higher deposit rates and don't need access to branches across the country, for example, you might prefer a credit union. If you want access to in-person services and don't mind lower interest rates, a bank might be more suitable.
