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With a money market account (MMA) you'll get a high interest-bearing bank account that shares some of the best features of a checking & savings account. Opening a money market account is a fast way to earn money while you are saving for shorter term goals.
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Current money market rates have reached over 5% APY, some of the highest we've seen in quite some time, thanks to today's rate environment. Here are our experts' top picks for the best money market accounts, ordered by highest APY:
As of December 2023, these are our banking experts' picks for the best money market accounts. See how we compared our best money market account picks with our rigorous & Motley rating methodology?
Show Best Offers Available in
Offer | APY | Minimum to Earn APY | Fees | Next Steps | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Member FDIC.
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
APY:
4.20%-4.25%
Rate info
4.20% applies to balances under $100K, Need $100,000+ to earn 4.25%
|
Minimum To Earn APY:
$0.01-$100,000 for 4.20%; $100,000+ for 4.25%
|
Monthly Fee: $0 Monthly Fee:
$0
Min. Balance: $2,500 to open, no min balance to maintain |
Min. Balance:
$2,500 to open, no min balance to maintain
|
|
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Pacific Western Bank Money Market Deposit Account
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
APY:
5.27%
|
Minimum To Earn APY:
$1
|
Monthly Fee: $0 Monthly Fee:
$0
Min. Balance: $1 |
Min. Balance:
$1
|
|
![]()
Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
APY:
5.29%
|
Minimum To Earn APY:
$1
|
Monthly Fee: $0 Monthly Fee:
$0
Min. Balance: $1 |
Min. Balance:
$1
|
|
![]()
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
APY:
5.30%
|
Minimum To Earn APY:
$0
|
Monthly Fee: $0 Monthly Fee:
$0
Min. Balance: $100 |
Min. Balance:
$100
|
|
![]()
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
APY:
4.40%
|
Minimum To Earn APY:
$1
|
Monthly Fee: $0 Monthly Fee:
$0
Min. Balance: $0 |
Min. Balance:
$0
|
|
![]()
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
APY:
4.25%
|
Minimum To Earn APY:
$0
|
Monthly Fee: $0 Monthly Fee:
$0
Min. Balance: $0 |
Min. Balance:
$0
|
|
![]()
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
APY:
3.75%-4.75%
Rate info
4.50% is one-year promotional rate. After it expires, the following rates and deposit tiers apply: $100,000 and up: 4.15% ongoing APY
$50,000 - $99,999.99: 4.05% ongoing APY
$25,000 - $49,999.99: 3.75% ongoing APY
$10,000 - $24,000.00: 3.75% ongoing APY
$0 - $9,999.99: 3.75% ongoing APY
|
Minimum To Earn APY:
$0 for minimum APY
|
Monthly Fee: $0 Monthly Fee:
$0
Min. Balance: $0 |
Min. Balance:
$0
|
Show Best Offers Available in
Discover Money Market
This account offers a competitive APY, especially given there are no monthly service fees, while still giving access to ATMs and checks. The minimum balance to open the account may be a little high for some folks, but you don't need to maintain a high balance to earn a good rate.
Pacific Western Bank Money Market Deposit Account
The Pacific Western Bank Money Market Deposit Account powered by Raisin is a high-yield money market account that deposits your money with PacWest Bank, but is managed through the Raisin platform. By opening this account through Raisin, you get the advantage of a higher APY than you'd receive by opening the account directly with PacWest. You get access to Raisin's simple online management interface and savings-product marketplace. However, you do give up the option to bank at PacWest branches and have less flexibility in how you transfer your money in and out of the account.
American First Credit Union Money Market Deposit Account from Raisin
American First Credit Union is a 70-year old credit union with nearly $1 billion in assets and insurance from the NCUA. The American First Credit Union powered by Raisin could be a great choice if you're looking for a high APY savings product. It offers a higher APY than you'd get when opening an account directly through the credit union, plus you get access to Raisin's savings marketplace and easy account management. On the other hand, accounts through Raisin do not offer branch access and limit you to using one account to transfer money in and out of the money market account.
Vio Bank Cornerstone Money Market Savings
Vio Bank is the online bank division of MidFirst Bank, the largest privately held bank in the United States and an FDIC member. It offers a competitive rate for its Money Market Savings Account and no monthly fees as long as you agree to electronic statements. There is a $100 minimum deposit with this account and it is FDIC insured.
The online bank has no physical branches and no ATM network. This makes accessing cash on the go a little more difficult. The online bank does not offer a checking account so you are limited to only a few products in its lineup.
Ally Money Market Account
Ally's banking approach carries over to its money market account with a high APY and a focus on cutting routine account fees to $0, including monthly maintenance. What's more, there are no minimum balance requirements.
Sallie Mae Money Market
The Sallie Mae Money Market Account offers a pretty high APY, especially considering that it has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. It doesn't offer debit cards or ATM access at the moment, but you can manage your funds via electronic transfer or withdraw them directly from the account by writing a check.
EverBank Yield Pledge Money Market Account
This account is a strong option for folks who have short-term savings needs. The introductory APY is competitive, but it only lasts for the first year. After that, rates drop significantly, so it isn't recommended for long-term savings.
We put the most weight on what's most important to you: the APY. The higher the APY, the more money you earn. That's a win.
We're constantly looking for not only the best money market rates and top Money Market Deposit Accounts (MMDAs) features, but also the money market providers that will live up to our golden rule expectation to "do right" by their loyal customers, new and existing.
Read on to get our quick hit evaluations of each of these money market accounts!
Your main Motley Fool expert on opening money market accounts is Matt Frankel, a Certified Financial Planner? and investment advisor. He's been writing personal finance and investment advice for decades, and is the recipient of the SABEW Best in Business Award. So, yeah, he knows his stuff!
Jump to a specific MMA review:
Ally reigns supreme with a competitive 4.40% APY.
Check out these stellar user reviews, posted right to Ally's Money Market Account page!
Source: Ally Money Market Account Page: Posted Product Reviews as of 5/23/2023
Read more about Ally Money Market Account pros & cons
Discover is best known as a credit card company, but it is actually a fully functional FDIC-member bank. The Discover Money Market Account gets a spot on our list for a few reasons, and one of which is for its high APY. While Discover doesn't offer the highest APYs in the money market world, it offers very competitive rates and has some benefits that can be very valuable.
Not only does the Discover Money Market Account have no monthly maintenance fees, overdraft, or insufficient fund fees, but several other features that most other banks charge for are free. For example, standard checks are free, as are official bank checks if you need them. There's no charge for a replacement debit card and Discover even sends it via expedited delivery. And speaking of debit cards, Discover Money Market customers can make fee-free withdrawals at over 60,000 ATMs nationwide.
The Discover Money Market account isn't without its drawbacks, though. Perhaps the biggest downside (for some customers) is the minimum opening deposit of $2,500 -- however, once the account is open, there is no minimum balance requirement.
As mentioned, Discover is an FDIC-insured bank, and therefore customer deposits are protected up to a limit of $250,000 per person. And unlike most online banks, Discover has a long history with more than 60 years in business. It has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and its customer service department is available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Pros:
Cons:
Read more about Discover Money Market pros & cons
The Cornerstone Money Market Savings Account by Vio Bank pays an extremely competitive APY -- in fact, it is one of the highest of any of the money market accounts we follow. It also doesn't charge any fees and has a low $100 minimum opening deposit.
Vio Bank is an online banking institution, but is a part of MidFirst Bank, which is the largest privately held bank in the U.S. It is a very stable and well-capitalized bank that has operated profitably for 36 consecutive years.
There are a few potential negative factors to be aware of. For one thing, Vio Bank doesn't offer checking accounts, and on a similar note, it doesn't provide ATM access, which is something of a rarity for money market accounts. It also doesn't offer check-writing privileges, and the only way to move money in or out of the account is through a linked external bank account.
Unlike some of the other online banks we follow, Vio does offer flexible customer service availability, with evening hours during the week and some availability on weekends. It has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and deposits are considered to be a part of MidFirst Bank for FDIC insurance purposes.
In a nutshell, the Cornerstone Money Market Savings Account functions more like a savings account than the typical money market account. However, for consumers whose primary goal is to maximize the yield on their savings, it could be a solid option.
Pros:
Cons:
Read more about Vio Bank Cornerstone Money Market Savings pros & cons
The Sallie Mae Money Market Account earns a spot on our best money market accounts list thanks to its combination of a competitive APY and several convenience features. Check-writing privileges come with the account, your first book of checks is free, and Sallie Mae's mobile platform allows you to electronically deposit checks into the account.
There is no account minimum whatsoever, which is somewhat of a rarity in the money market account world (most competitors require at least $100). There are also no monthly maintenance fees.
Sallie Mae is best known for its lending products, but it has also been an FDIC-member bank since 2005, and therefore its accounts are protected for up to $250,000 per person. The bank offers customer service by phone from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET on weekdays, which isn't quite as strong as some of its peers but is more than sufficient for most people.
While Sallie Mae has one physical banking branch (in Utah), it's important to keep in mind that this is an online bank for most practical purposes. And for this reason, the lack of ATM access -- or of any debit card at all -- could be a negative factor. When it comes to ease of access to money, Sallie Mae ranks in the middle of the pack, but this is still a solid option for people who want a solid combination of yield and convenience.
Pros:
Cons:
Read more about Sallie Mae Money Market pros & cons
Note: TIAA Bank has officially been renamed EverBank (although the TIAA name is still prominently featured), so there's a strong possibility the money market account's name will eventually change accordingly.
The TIAA Bank Yield Pledge Money Market earns a spot on our list because it provides one of, if not the best yields from a money market account offered by a bank that has physical branches. It provides a higher introductory rate for the first year an account is open, but its ongoing APYs are extremely competitive, especially for what could be called a "traditional" bank. Higher balances get higher rates, but there's no account minimum and even small-balance accounts get strong APYs.
In addition, TIAA's Yield Pledge guarantees that its money market yield will remain among the top 5% of its competitors.
TIAA Bank Yield Pledge Money Market account comes with a debit card. Not only are withdrawals free at TIAA's own ATMs, but the bank will reimburse as much as $15 in non-bank ATM fees for all accounts, or unlimited reimbursements for accounts with more than $5,000. The TIAA mobile banking app is highly rated and enables mobile check deposits into the account. However, while customers can request an official bank check, the TIAA money market account doesn't have check-writing privileges.
Finally, TIAA could be an excellent choice for savers who want to do all of their banking at one institution. Unlike many of our top money market account providers, TIAA offers not one, but five different types of checking accounts, including an interest-bearing option, as well as an online savings account and some excellent CD rates. TIAA has nine banking branches (all in Florida), so it could be an especially solid choice for people who live near one.
Pros:
Cons:
Read more about EverBank Yield Pledge Money Market Account pros & cons
Our team of experts have evaluated some of the best money market accounts, ensuring they are FDIC-insured and had the funds accessibility of a checking account, but you'll want to weigh how important each of these areas are to you:
TIP
A high money market APY isn't everything you should consider when choosing the best money market account for your needs. Why? Money market interest rates are variable, so the APY on a money market account is subject to change at any time; money market rates today may not be the same tomorrow.
With these high-yield returns, the best money market accounts are even earning more than some of the best high-yield savings accounts.
These MMAs offer some of the best money market rates, that pay you a high interest rate return, over the national average, and similar to the rate of return of a high-yield savings account:
The FDIC reports the national average for savings accounts is 0.46% APY, and the average money market rate is 0.63%. Our picks for high-yield savings accounts have competitive APYs with some of our money market rates shown above.
Keep learning about MMAs:
Play the 1-minute video with Matt Frankel, CFP? on when & why to open a Money Market Account
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Check out our top-rated high-yield savings accounts, returning similar or higher interest rates on average than many money market accounts, with similar account flexibility. Or use our rate calculator to compare money market account vs savings account rates.
Savings Alternative | Interest-Earning | Easy Money Access | FDIC-Insured |
Money market accounts are FDIC-insured, and allow you to earn money on your money.
The best high-yield money market accounts also offer check-writing capabilities, a debit card, have low or no minimum balance requirements and allow you to access your money easily.
It could be a good idea to open a money market account if you:
So why are these features of a money market account important?
Dr. Nonna Sorokina, Ph.D.
A.P. at Penn State University
Dr. Nonna Sorokina is a passionate teacher/scholar in the finance and quantitative fields and is an Assistant Professor at Penn State University. Prior to joining Penn State, Dr. Sorokina taught at Kent State University, Wake Forest University, and TCNJ.
A money market account does generate return and provides a flexibility of on-demand withdrawal. Money market accounts would have limited transactional functionality compared to a good checking account. It may have a significant minimum balance limit or restrict the number of transactions in a given period of time.
Money market accounts typically pay greater interest but offer less flexibility. Thus, one has a checking account for day-to-day transactional purposes, savings account for setting money aside, and a money market account for a short-term liquid investment of savings, when a purchase of an investment asset for longer-term is not feasible.
TIP
If you want to insure more than $250,000 in an MMA account, spread your money across multiple money market accounts at more than one bank or credit union, so you can get the max federally-backed coverage.
Here's a bit more about the different features you should look for when opening a money market account:
Money market accounts are also referred to as money market deposit accounts (MMDA) because most have the flexibility of a checking account as well! Ask about these key features, or read more below about each issuer's MMA details:
Like opening any other traditional bank account, you can open a money market account online, in-branch, at your local bank or credit union.
You'll notice banks aren’t the only game in town for MMAs. Other financial service providers (brokerages, fund managers, etc.) also have them on their product list, but regardless of the funding source, you'll need quite a few documents on hand to open your MMA. So, pull out those files, or head to your safety deposit box to prepare for the most common requests from financial institutions to open a money market bank account:
To prevent anyone else from opening a fraudulent account in your name, your bank will need these items:
To learn more about you, your financial needs, and how it can best support you, the bank may ask for:
We recommend comparing high-yield savings account options to ensure the account you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout accounts.
Show Best Offers Available in
Account | APY | Promotion | Next Steps |
---|---|---|---|
up to 4.60%
Rate info
You can earn the maximum APY by having Direct Deposit (no minimum amount required) or by making $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits every 30 days. See SoFi Checking and Savings rate sheet at: https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
Min. to earn: $0
|
New customers can earn up to a $250 bonus with qualifying direct deposits!
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||
5.05% APY for balances of $5,000 or more
Rate info
5.05% APY for balances of $5,000 or more; otherwise, 0.25% APY
Min. to earn: $100 to open account, $5,000 for max APY
|
N/A
|
||
5.25%
Rate info
To ensure you keep getting the highest rate at UFB, you'll need to keep an eye on their rates. Occasionally, the bank launches new accounts with higher rates. Existing accounts need to contact the bank to request being moved to one of these new accounts.
Min. to earn: $0
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N/A
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||
4.30%
Min. to earn: $0
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N/A
|
To recap, money market accounts are a type of deposit account that combines the high APY of a savings account with the easy accessibility of a checking account. Let's explore what's really setting these money market accounts apart, and talk a bit more about how to choose the right MMA for your needs.
Let's take a closer look at the most frequently compared bank accounts to MMAs:
Top money market accounts and high-yield savings accounts can often blur together, for good reason: They're very similar. In a nutshell, money market accounts tend to give you a bit more flexibility with your money. Meanwhile, high-yield savings accounts generally pay higher rates, carry fewer fees, and have either no minimum balance or lower minimum balances.
The APY of a money market account is similar to an APY of a savings account, but there may be cases where a high-yield savings account may have a higher rate of return, like in our current rate environment. Check out our expert picks for the best high-yield savings accounts.
If you're checking out money market accounts, it's well worth comparing what you can get from high-yield savings. Below are a couple of our favorite savings accounts, or view our banking expert's full list of top rated high-yield savings accounts.
A savings account is another type of deposit account similar to a money market account.
To learn more: Check out our picks for the best high-yield savings accounts.
A CD is another type of deposit account (CD stands for "certificate of deposit").
You can check out our top picks for the best CD rates below:
They're not a great replacement for a checking account, unless you rarely withdraw funds.
If you don't think a money market account is a good fit for you, these are some other options worth considering, but also serve as wonderful companion products to money market accounts.
Account Feature | MMA | Savings Account | CD Account | Checking Account |
---|---|---|---|---|
Interest Type | Variable | Variable | Fixed | Variable or n/a |
Check-Writing | Yes | No | No | Unlimited |
Debit Card | Yes | No | No | Unlimited |
FDIC-Insured | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Check out more MMA advice from Matt Frankel, CFP? on when to choose to park your cash in a money market account vs investing it in the stock market, in this recent video discussion he shared with long-time Fool.com contributor, Tyler Crowe.
Whether you just want an account to stash your nest egg, or you're searching for the best jumbo money market rates, these terms are important to know when discussing money market accounts and MMA interest rates:
MMDA: Money Market Deposit Account is another term for money market account and just emphasizes the fact that a money market account has similar benefits of a checking and savings deposit account.
Annual percentage yield (APY): The APY is an annualized representation of the account's interest rate. People often use this term interchangeably with interest rate, but the two aren't the same. APY takes into account the actual interest rate as well as how often that interest compounds. Look for the highest APY to find the highest money market rates (which means more interest for you).
Minimum balance: Some money market accounts require a minimum deposit to open the account or to avoid monthly maintenance fees. These minimum balance requirements can be higher than the requirements for savings accounts.
Transaction limits: Money market accounts may be subject to restrictions on the number of convenient withdrawals you can make without incurring additional fees. Convenient withdrawals include electronic transfers, most check withdrawals, and online bill pay, but typically do not include things like withdrawals made at a branch location or cash taken out at an ATM.
Money market mutual funds (MMMFs): Even though they sound similar, a money market account is drastically different from a money market fund. An MMA is a deposit account, an MMMF is an investment. Learn more about money market mutual funds
Editor's notes:
A money market account is a deposit account that shares some checking and savings accounts features. Most banks offer this account type. Money market interest rates are comparable to those found with savings accounts.
The best money market accounts have high APYs and give you multiple ways to access your funds when you need them. They're also FDIC insured and have affordable minimum balance requirements.
Money market accounts work similarly to other types of banking deposit accounts.
When you deposit money into your money market account, your bank or credit union will pay you interest on the total money in your account, just like high-yield savings accounts.
How often do money market accounts pay interst? Typically, your money market account will pay you interest on the funds in your account monthly, but the interest normally compounds daily. So, the more you contribute, and leave in your account, the more interest you will earn!
Money kept in money market accounts is accessible when you need it, without incurring a withdrawal penalty, as you might with a certificate of deposit.
Money market accounts also allow you to withdraw your money like a checking account, mostly without withdrawal fees; but there may be slightly less access access to your money on a monthly basis. Money market accounts can also include options such as debit cards and check-writing capabilities, similar to checking accounts.
Money market accounts pay a slightly higher interest rate than traditional savings accounts, and sometimes even high-yield savings accounts, because of where the banks or credit unions are allowed to invest the money you deposit.
With money market accounts, your financial institution is allowed to invest your money in short-term, highly liquid, low-risk securities like certificates of deposit (CDs), government bonds/securities, commercial paper, or other similar investments.
Then, when those assets the invested in mature (reach their term length for payout), they give a portion of that money back to you, as a money market account holder.
This investment strategy is not available to financial institutions if you put your money in just a traditional savings account.
In most cases, you can't lose money with a money market account. Money market accounts are treated like regular savings accounts at both banks and credit unions. And like a savings account, a money market account is often insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) when it's in a bank, and insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) when it's in a credit union. These cover up to $250,000 per person per bank in case of bank failure.
A good interest rate for a money market account is 1.00% APY or higher, though this can fluctuate over time.
Typically, the interest you earn on the funds in your money market account compound daily, and are paid out to you monthly.
What does compounding interest mean? It means the more money you add, the more money you will earn. Interest can compound yearly, monthly or daily, depending on your account type. So, if you have daily compounding (like most MMA accounts), you will earn more money on your account if you make more frequent deposits, and the higher your balance is in your money market account, the more interest you will earn!
The interest rates on money market accounts are variable. The rate of interest rises and falls over time, impacted by inflation.
Depending on the financial institution, a money market account may come with both a debit card and check-writing privileges. If that's important to you, make sure the bank or credit union you're working with grants those privileges.
Our Banking Experts
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.