Is Your Money Safe in a Bank During a Recession? (2024)

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  • Banking regulation has changed over the last 100 years to provide more protection to consumers.
  • You can keep money in a bank account during a recession and it will be safe through FDIC and NCUA deposit insurance.
  • Up to $250,000 is secure in individual bank accounts and $500,000 is safe in joint bank accounts.

Recessions are a normal part of the business cycle. Nevertheless, they're still scary to think about. So if you start to hear economists talking about a possible incoming recession, you might wonder about your money's safety.

If you're concerned about whether money is safe in a bank during a recession, there's good news — your money will be likely secure in a bank account. Here's what you need to know about banking during economic downturns.

What happens to banks in a recession?

Impact of economic downturns on banking institutions

Historically, the number of U.S. bank failures has peaked during periods of economic decline. According to Pew Research, two of the biggest banking crises occurred around times of recessions — between 1980 and 1995 and between 2007 and 2014.

Most people also think about the Great Depression when it comes to bank failures. During the Great Depression, 9,000 banks failed. People who had bank accounts at these financial institutions lost all their money.

The U.S. government has since implemented policies to protect consumers and their deposits, though. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was established in 1933 in response to the bank failures.

"The crucial thing to recognize about the Great Depression and what's come after that is the kind of bank failures that we had prior to 1934 are very unlikely to occur again because the United States created deposit insurance," adds Jeffrey Miron, a senior lecturer of economics and director of undergraduate studies at Harvard University.

Through the Banking Act of 1933, the FDIC could protect consumer bank accounts through deposit insurance.Miron says people's incentives changed after this new policy was created.

"If you believe the federal government's promise, then you don't have to worry that other people might be trying to get their money out first," says Miron.

Banking failures during the Great Recession

Significantly fewer banks shut down during this period of economic downtown than during the Great Depression. According to the FDIC, approximately 500 bank failures occurred between 2008 and 2015. In comparison, about 4,000 banks failed in 1933 alone.

Since bank accounts were backed by FDIC insurance, the Great Recession didn't impact depositors in the same way the Great Depression did.

"Depositors today never lose a cent even beyond the deposits that are legally insured, and the reason is, when a bank gets into trouble, the FDIC basically looks for acquiring banks, and all the deposits are transferred to the acquiring banks. That happened in the 2008 crisis," says Charles Calomiris, aColumbia Business School professor in finances and economics.

You can rest assured that your money will likely be safe at a financial institution, and you won't need to take it out of your bank account.

"It's very unlikely for history to repeat itself," says Maggie Gomez, CFP® professional and owner ofMoney with Maggie. "I would still have trust in the banking system, especially over keeping your money in your house or someplace that is exposed to much more likely risks of loss."

How your money is protected

Money deposited into bank accounts will be safe as long as your financial institution is federally insured.

The FDIC and National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) oversee banks and credit unions, respectively. These federal agencies also provide deposit insurance.

When a financial institution is federally insured, money deposited into a bank account will be secure even if the financial institution shuts down. Your money will not be lost. It is usually transferred to another bank with FDIC insurance, or you'll receive a check.

Savings accounts, checking accounts, money market accounts, and CDs are examples of federally insured bank accounts. Up to $250,000 is secure in individual bank accounts, and $250,000 is protected per owner in joint bank accounts.

Risk factors to consider

Bank health indicators

A bank failure can occur when a financial institution doesn't meet its obligations. For example, if a bank becomes insolvent — its liabilities are more than its assets — it will be shut down.

Sometimes the perception of a bank's overall financial performance can also cause problems. Bank runs occur when many people become worried about their money and start withdrawing it simultaneously. If banks lose too much of their cash reserves, they can collapse.

Role of government and central banks in stability

The FDIC and NCUA have deposit insurance limits at financial institutions. If you deposit more than $250,000 in an individual bank account, any money that surpasses the deposit insurance limit isn't protected. These government agencies do not guarantee that you'll get uninsured deposits back if a financial institution fails.

Strategies for safeguarding your money

Gomez suggests using two different banks as one way of recession-proofing your personal finances. This may be particularly helpful if you keep more than the insured deposit limit in bank accounts.

Gomez says you could have your money deposited in an online bank and a brick-and-mortar bank. You'll be able to deposit or withdraw money at brick-and-mortar locations and earn interest on a high-yield bank account at an online bank.

Financial experts generally advise keeping three to six months' worth of expenses in a bank account as an emergency fund. How much you should keep in your account may also depend on whether you're saving up for a personal goal, like a down payment on a mortgage or a new car.

Banks during recessions FAQs

Is my money safe in a bank during a recession?

Your money is safe in a bank, even during an economic decline like a recession. Up to $250,000 per depositor, per account ownership category, is protected by the FDIC or NCUA at a federally insured financial institution.

What happens if my bank fails during a recession?

If you're wondering what happens if a bank fails, the FDIC will take control of the assets. It will look to sell the assets to another FDIC-insured financial institution. If a bank doesn't want to buy the assets, the FDIC will send all the customer's checks for the amount of their insured deposits.

How can I ensure my money is protected during a recession?

Check to see if the place where you're keeping your money is protected by FDIC or NCUA insurance. Also, be mindful that there are federal insurance limits per depositor and account ownership category at each bank.

Can all types of bank accounts and investments be insured by the FDIC or NCUA?

The FDIC or NCUA provides insurance for checking, savings, CD, and money market accounts. Investment accounts are not FDIC or NCUA insured.

What measures do banks take to remain stable during recessions?

Banks may make it more difficult to borrow money and increase cash reserves.

Sophia Acevedo, CEPF

Banking Editor

Sophia Acevedo is a banking editor at Business Insider. She edits and writes bank reviews, banking guides, and banking and savings articles for the Personal Finance Insider team. She is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF).Sophia joined Business Insider in July 2021. Sophia is an alumna of California State University Fullerton, where she studied journalism and minored in political science. She is based in Southern California.You can reach out to her on Twitter at @sophieacvdo or email sacevedo@businessinsider.com.Read more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services >>Below are links to some of her most popular stories:

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Is Your Money Safe in a Bank During a Recession? (2024)

FAQs

Is Your Money Safe in a Bank During a Recession? ›

Your money is safe in a bank, even during an economic decline like a recession. Up to $250,000 per depositor, per account ownership category, is protected by the FDIC or NCUA at a federally insured financial institution. What happens if my bank fails during a recession?

Should I take my money out of the bank during a recession? ›

If you have money in a checking, saving or other depository account, it is protected from financial downturns by the FDIC. Beyond that, investment products are more exposed to risk, but you can still take some steps to protect yourself.

Can the government take money from your bank account in a crisis? ›

The government can seize money from your checking account only in specific circumstances and with due process. The most common reason for the government to seize funds from your account is to collect unpaid taxes, such as federal taxes, state taxes, or child support payments.

Where is my money safest during a recession? ›

Cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid assets with minimal risk, such as Treasury bills, money market funds and certificates of deposit. Money market funds and high-yield savings are also places to salt away cash in a downturn.

Should you save cash during a recession? ›

Finance Experts All Say the Same Thing

GOBankingRates consulted quite a few finance experts and asked them this question. They all said the same thing: You need three to six months' worth of living expenses in an easily accessible savings account.

What is the best thing to do with your money in a recession? ›

5 Things to Invest in When a Recession Hits
  • Seek Out Core Sector Stocks. During a recession, you might be inclined to give up on stocks, but experts say it's best not to flee equities completely. ...
  • Focus on Reliable Dividend Stocks. ...
  • Consider Buying Real Estate. ...
  • Purchase Precious Metal Investments. ...
  • “Invest” in Yourself.
Dec 9, 2023

How safe are the banks right now? ›

Most deposits in banks are insured dollar-for-dollar by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. This insurance covers your principal and any interest you're owed through the date of your bank's default up to $250,000 in combined total balances. You don't have to apply for FDIC insurance.

Can banks seize your money if the economy fails? ›

Banking regulation has changed over the last 100 years to provide more protection to consumers. You can keep money in a bank account during a recession and it will be safe through FDIC and NCUA deposit insurance. Up to $250,000 is secure in individual bank accounts and $500,000 is safe in joint bank accounts.

What happens to your money in the bank if there is a depression? ›

Nearly all banks in the United States are FDIC-insured, which means even if a bank were to fail, your money is protected. The FDIC insures each bank account up to $250,000 per depositor per ownership category, such as single owner or joint owner.

How to protect your money from a bank collapse? ›

Ensure Your Bank Is Insured

If a bank or credit union collapses, each depositor is covered for up to $250,000. If your bank or credit union isn't FDIC- or NCUA-insured, however, you won't have that guarantee, so make sure your funds are at an institution covered by deposit insurance.

Can you lose your savings in a recession? ›

Recessions can impact your savings in many different ways. Lower interest rates, stock market volatility, and potential job loss can drain your savings. Diversifying your investments, building an emergency fund, and opening a high-yield savings account can help protect your savings.

What not to do in a recession? ›

What Are the Biggest Risks to Avoid During a Recession? Many types of financial risks are heightened in a recession. This means that you're better off avoiding some risks that you might take in better economic times—such as co-signing a loan, taking out an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), or taking on new debt.

How do you not lose money in a recession? ›

Build up your emergency fund, pay off your high interest debt, do what you can to live within your means, diversify your investments, invest for the long term, be honest with yourself about your risk tolerance, and keep an eye on your credit score.

How much cash should I have on hand during a recession? ›

An economic downturn can put strain on your finances. Most experts recommend having at least three to six months' worth of living expenses saved up and easily accessible in case of emergency. Investing in yourself can help create a more secure financial future, no matter the economic situation.

What is the best asset to hold during a recession? ›

Cash, large-cap stocks and gold can be good investments during a recession. Stocks that tend to fluctuate with the economy and cryptocurrencies can be unstable during a recession.

Should I take my money out of the bank in 2024? ›

First and foremost, it is essential to choose a bank that is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The FDIC insures deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank. This means that if your bank fails, you can still get your money back up to the insured amount.

What should you not do in a recession? ›

What Are the Biggest Risks to Avoid During a Recession? Many types of financial risks are heightened in a recession. This means that you're better off avoiding some risks that you might take in better economic times—such as co-signing a loan, taking out an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), or taking on new debt.

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