Can You Lose Your Principal in a High-Yield Savings Account?
Written by
Melanie Grafil, AI Editor
Edited by
Melanie Grafil
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If you’re looking to grow your savings, a high-yield savings account is a great choice. These accounts offer higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, helping you earn more from your money. However, it’s natural to wonder about the safety of your initial deposit–specifically, “Can you lose your principal in a high-yield savings account?”
The good news is that the money you put into a high-yield savings account is very safe. Unlike stocks or mutual funds, where your balance can go up and down with the market, the cash you deposit in a high-yield savings account doesn’t face those kinds of risks. Plus, these accounts are protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation at banks or the National Credit Union Administration at credit unions. This means if the bank or credit union goes under, your money up to $250,000 is safe.
What Are High-Yield Savings Accounts and How Do They Work?
High-yield savings accounts are deposit accounts available at banks and credit unions that offer a higher annual percentage yield than standard savings accounts. It’s the first type of account you think of when you’re on the road to saving money. The best features on these accounts is their ability to accrue interest at a faster rate, thus increasing the potential earnings on the money you save.
Specific Features of High-Yield Savings Accounts
- Higher interest rates: While traditional savings accounts might offer interest rates around 0.01% to 0.05%, high-yield savings accounts can offer rates as high as 1% to 2% or more, depending on market conditions and the policies of the financial institution. This means that for every $1,000 saved, you could earn between $10 to $20 per year with a high-yield account, compared to mere cents in a traditional account.
- Compound interest: The interest in high-yield savings accounts is typically compounded daily or monthly, which means the interest earned one day earns additional interest the next. This compounding effect can significantly enhance the growth of your savings over time.
- Online and mobile access: Many high-yield savings accounts are offered by online banks, which typically have lower overhead costs than traditional brick-and-mortar institutions. This allows them to offer better rates. These accounts are usually accessible online and come with mobile banking options, making it easy to manage your money remotely.
- Minimum balance requirements: Some high-yield savings accounts may require a minimum balance to open an account or to earn the highest advertised rate. It’s important to understand these requirements to ensure that the account best suits your financial situation.
- Fees: While many high-yield savings accounts boast no monthly maintenance fees, some might still include fees like excessive withdrawals, account closures or account inactivity. Make sure you read the fine print and understand any potential fees associated with an account before opening one.
How They Differ From Other Savings Products
High-yield savings accounts stand out from other savings vehicles like certificates of deposit, or CDs, or money market accounts, as they can be easier to manage and a bit more accessible.
You can quickly access your money without having to pay early withdrawal penalties, which is not always the case with CDs or money market accounts. CDs usually lock your money away for a certain period, and taking it out early can cost you a fee. Money market accounts might offer more ways to access your funds than CDs, but they often come with higher balance requirements or more restrictions than HYSAs. In short, high-yield savings accounts let you get to your money easily whenever you need it, making them a convenient option for saving.
How Safe Is Your Principal?
The principal concern about these accounts is whether you can lose the initial money you deposit. Fortunately, in a high-yield savings account, your principal is generally secure from the market volatility that affects stocks or mutual funds, since these accounts do not directly interact with the stock market.
Protection Through Insurance
Key to their appeal, high-yield savings accounts provided by banks are insured by the FDIC, while those from credit unions have the backing of the NCUA. This insurance safeguards up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account. Thus, even if the bank fails, your money up to the insured limit is protected.
External Factors Affecting Your Savings
While your principal is safe, other elements can impact the overall value of your savings. For example, inflation can diminish the purchasing power of your savings over time, affecting how much your accumulated funds will be worth in the future. This doesn’t mean you’re losing your principal, but it does influence the future value of your money.
Choosing the Best High-Yield Savings Account
When searching for the best high-yield savings accounts, consider factors such as the interest rate, the bank’s reputation, any associated fees, and the frequency of interest compounding. Rates can differ significantly among banks, making it crucial to compare options to find the best one that meets your needs for security and accessibility.
While exploring options, you might also want to consider the offerings of the best banks, which often feature competitive options not just for savings, but also for checking and CD accounts. These banks often provide a comprehensive suite of services, including the best CD rates and best checking accounts, facilitating a more integrated banking experience. Knowing what’s required to open a bank account with these institutions can help you start on the right track toward financial stability and growth.
Final Take
In summary, it’s very unlikely that you’ll lose the money you initially put into a high-yield savings account if your bank fails, because these accounts are protected, either through FDIC or NCUA insurance. However, it’s important to keep in mind that things like inflation can affect the value of your savings over time. By choosing a well-established, insured bank that offers good interest rates, you can safely grow your savings with little risk.
Editor's note: This article was produced via automated technology and then fine-tuned and verified for accuracy by a member of GOBankingRates' editorial team.
