Your partner wants to open a new bank account with a different bank, but you like your old one best. Should you close your old account? Keep it open? It’s questions like these that make banking nerds like us quake with excitement. In short, there are pros and cons to each option.
Keeping two bank accounts open gives you flexibility and security. But it also makes tracking your money more complicated. And if your banks charge fees, you could pay double. Read on for a more in-depth dive into the pros and cons of owning two bank accounts.
Pro: Flexibility
Keeping two accounts open allows you to use one when the other breaks down. Sometimes, banks have issues. They close your account for no reason you can tell. Next thing you know, you can’t access your money for weeks!
But having a backup account gives you flexibility.
If you open two checking accounts, you can boost your maximum ATM withdrawals. Banks set withdrawal limits independent of each other. Say one bank limits you to $100 daily, and the other limits you to $200 daily. You can drive to two ATMs to withdraw $300 total daily.
Finally, you can boost your earnings by transferring some money to the account with a better interest rate. The better your rate, the more you can earn.
Pro: Security
The FDIC insures bank accounts up to $250,000 per bank. Banks are insured separately. By spreading your deposits around multiple checking accounts, you can protect more of your savings. If your bank fails, the FDIC will return your savings up to the limit.
With two savings accounts at separate FDIC-insured banks, you can insure $500,000 worth of deposits. The more bank accounts you open at separate FDIC-insured banks, the more money the FDIC will protect. Owning two bank accounts is a smart way to keep your money safe.
Pro: Organization
You can open two savings accounts to keep money organized. You can designate one account as your emergency fund and the other as your vacation fund. It’s extra work, but it could be worth the effort if it brings you peace of mind.
Tip: Use a bank that offers bucketing to stay organized and keep your bank accounts to a minimum. Bucketing lets you split your money into designated categories without forcing you to open multiple accounts at separate banks.
Con: Hassle
Keeping two bank accounts open can be a hassle. It’s one thing to own a checking and a savings account — those pair together like peanut butter and jelly. They serve different needs. But two checking accounts? That’s where things can get complicated.
Take direct deposits. If you share finances with a partner, you both must decide whether to split deposits between multiple accounts or use one as the main account. Sending money between accounts could take days as deposits settle. In short, owning two bank accounts is a hassle.
Con: Fees
If one or more of your bank accounts charges maintenance fees, you’re paying more than you would with only one account. It’s the most straightforward con on this list. You can also avoid it by sticking to the best savings accounts — most won’t charge you maintenance fees.
Other fees matter, too. Some savings accounts impose account minimums, and these may charge you for leaving too little money in your account. Some checking accounts charge overdraft and insufficient funds fees for overdrawing your account.
The more bank accounts you own, the more fees you must track. Good news: the best checking accounts keep overdraft fees to a minimum or skip them entirely, so there’s that.
Should you own two bank accounts?
Yes, if you’re pairing a checking and savings account. Otherwise, it’s more complicated. If you want greater flexibility and security, opening two accounts of the same type can give you that. To avoid hassle and fees, consider sticking with one account per type.
If you open a second bank account and change your mind, beware of closing the account too soon. Bank accounts sometimes charge early account closure fees of $5 to $50 when you close an account within 90 days of opening it. Keep your account open for a bit longer to avoid paying fees.
You may benefit from owning two or more of the same type of bank accounts. It doesn’t hurt your credit score, and it’s a common practice. Weigh the pros and cons to decide whether owning two or more accounts is right for you.
These savings accounts are FDIC insured and could earn you 11x your bank
Many people are missing out on guaranteed returns as their money languishes in a big bank savings account earning next to no interest. Our picks of the best online savings accounts could earn you 11x the national average savings account rate. Click here to uncover the best-in-class accounts that landed a spot on our short list of the best savings accounts for 2024.