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[转帖]FDIC Insurance Q&A: Businesses, Joint Accounts, CDARS,
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2008-07-15 12:43:00
I’ve had a lot of questions about FDIC insurance recently (for obvious reasons), and have been getting a good share via e-mail as well. Took some research to find all the answers, but here they are:
Will multiple accounts at the same bank, like having both a checking
and savings account, increase my coverage limits?
Depends. It’s how
the account ownership is titled that matters. If it is an individual account,
then you get $100,000 per individual at that bank, no matter how many different
accounts you open up. To get more coverage, you could open up an account at
another bank. However, if you open up a joint account with someone else that can
increase your limits.
How much FDIC coverage can a couple get at one bank?
If
structured properly, a couple such as a husband and wife can shield up to
$400,000 at one single bank without involving legal trust vehicles. In addition
to the $100,000 per individual account, if two people open a joint account then
each will have up $100,000 in coverage ($200,000 total for the account) [Source].
If you throw in revocable trust accounts, a couple can theoretically shield up
to $600,000 at one institution:
Are business bank accounts covered by FDIC
insurance?
Yes, but you have to be careful. Since legally there is
no difference between a sole proprietorship and an individual, one cannot gain
more coverage at a single bank by opening a “business” account when you are a
sole proprietorship. The business account would still fall under the $100,000
individual cap. However, in the case of partnerships, corporations, and LLCs,
because these are separate legal entities, they do get a separate $100,000 per
entity.
The deposit accounts of a corporation, partnership or unincorporated association are insured up to $100,000 provided the corporation, partnership or unincorporated association is engaged in an “independent activity.” The term independent activity means that the entity is operated primarily for some purpose other than to increase deposit insurance coverage. [Source]
Where would you put $1,000,000 in cash if you had to? Spread across
10 banks (or more to cover accrued interest)?
First of all, there
are very few scenarios where I’d want $1,000,000 sitting around in cash. I’d
probably choose to take more risk with it. But I really don’t think I’d bother
with 10+ banks. Most likely, I would place it in a retail money market fund at a
reputable firm, like the Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund. That way, even if
Vanguard goes bankrupt, this will not affect the underlying conservative
investments. A retail money market fund has never “broken the buck”.
Alternatively, I would buy traditional US Treasury Bonds or TIPS either directly
or through a Treasury money market fund.
What about the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service
(CDARS)?
Another way to increase FDIC insurance are services like
that of CDARS.com.
Essentially, they spread your large deposits into $100k chunks across a network
of banks, but without any effort on your part. From their website:
In general, the FDIC insures up to $100,000 per customer per financial institution. So, you could run around to many institutions to deposit your funds to receive the same coverage you get using CDARS. Or you can place your large-dollar deposit with a network member. The member bank breaks your funds into smaller amounts and places them with other banks that are members of a special network. Then, those member banks issue CDs in the amounts under $100,000, so that your entire deposit is eligible for FDIC insurance. By working with one member bank, you can receive insurance from many.
According to this Bankrate article, due to the added costs of this system CDARS rates are usually about 0.15% lower than the “normal” CDs from the network banks. Also, the network banks seem to be smaller local banks, which may not offer the most aggressive rates in the first place.
Am I worried about my money at Washington Mutual?
Not
really. WaMu is much better financially than IndyMac was. But again, due to the
realities of fractional-reserve
banking, if people panic and start pulling out tons of money from WaMu, then
they can still fail due to liquidity issues. I am not going to be one of those
people. If it fails, it fails. Most banks on the FDIC “problem list” do not
fail. I have faith in the FDIC process, and I still have much less than $100,000
in my accounts. Finally, I never keep all my funds in any one bank. I can still
run my day-to-day cashflow needs from other banks.
"That way, even if Vanguard goes bankrupt, this will not affect the underlying conservative investments."
Vanguard non-retirement accounts as I understand, are not FDIC insured. how much does vanguard insure your investment? that's the most you can get if vanguard goes under. i don't know how those brokerage firms works, they must use client's investment as leverage to invest just as anyone else would. so there is a chance they will fail. hence, your underlying investment will not be kept intact if vanguard fails.
also can you buy gold to stay safe? interesting enough, not really. I heard anyone buy gold bolliuon (how to spell it?) or maybe even gold coins have to register. US government in 1930s and 1970s confistigated gold bought/stored by individual. however it's important to point out that was back during the gold standard time. so this may not happen again.
call me a pessimist, i see no way around but to stick with the bank system, and hope things will work out.
at the same time, i think it is only safe to hold US treasury, not for any potential gain, but capital preservation.
my manager told us
there are around 95
(dont remember the exact number)
banks are on the FDIC's
bankrupt watching list.
yesterday on our meeting,
my manager told us
there are around 95
(dont remember the exact number)
banks are on the FDIC's
bankrupt watching list.
i think 95 only a start. this crisis is worse than last one.
FDIC only has 50B to insure as i heard?
with strong financial power..
到底了
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