Is your money safe in a bank during a recession?

Yahoo

07-06-2025

As scary as they can be, recessions are normal — and temporary. But that doesn't make them any less painful. With the possibility of a recession dominating headlines in recent months, it's no surprise if you're concerned about the security of your money. You may even wonder if your money is safe in a bank during a recession.
Two pieces of good news may help calm your fears: First, according to JPMorgan Research, the likelihood of a recession has dropped from 60% to 40% in recent weeks. Second, even if a recession does happen, your money is safe in a bank.
Continue reading to learn how banks protect your cash, what happens when they fail, and how you can keep your money safe during a recession.
Banks are generally safe at any time, including during a recession.
In 1933, following the Great Depression, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was created to promote consumer trust in banks. The FDIC protects insured bank deposits of up to $250,000 per customer, per insured bank, per ownership category, in case of bank failure.
FDIC insurance doesn't apply to all account types; it only covers certain deposit accounts, such as savings accounts, checking accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit (CDs). Money invested in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investments isn't covered.
Bank failures are unlikely, but they do happen on occasion, and especially during a recession. While there has only been one bank failure in 2025, there were 157 in a single year following the Great Recession. But even when banks fail, FDIC insurance protects bank customers in one of two ways:
The FDIC may open a new account for you at an insured bank with a balance equal to your insured balance at the failed bank.
The FDIC may send you a check in the amount of your insured balance at the failed bank.
According to the FDIC's website, it has historically paid customers within a few days of failed bank closures. And since the creation of the FDIC, no depositor has ever lost insured funds.
Credit unions and banks are both safe during a recession, provided they're both federally insured. Like banks, credit unions offer insurance on deposits of up to $250,000. Though FDIC insurance doesn't apply to credit union deposits, credit unions are insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), which provides similar coverage.
While banks and credit unions provide the same amount of financial protection during a recession, credit unions have characteristics that may make them feel safer. For example:
Credit unions are member-owned. Unlike banks, credit unions are nonprofit organizations and don't have to cater to shareholders. This generally means they put members' needs first and offer highly personalized customer service, which can provide some peace of mind during financially unstable times.
Credit unions tend to have fewer fees, more affordable loans, and higher savings rates. Because credit unions are nonprofit entities, they can pass profits on to members in the form of lower fees and higher savings rates. These extra savings can go a long way during a recession, when members may be looking to cut costs wherever they can.
Credit unions take less risk compared to banks. Because banks operate for a profit, they're generally willing to take on more risk in the pursuit of bigger returns. For example, the majority of subprime mortgages in 2006 were issued by banks, not credit unions. Credit unions, meanwhile, are more risk-averse, which can provide a sense of stability for their members.
You can keep your money safe during a recession by keeping it in the right place. Here are some tips to make sure your cash is secure if and when a recession hits:
Make sure you bank with insured institutions. FDIC or NCUA insurance protects your deposits as long as your bank or credit union is backed by one of these organizations. To confirm your bank is FDIC-insured, use the FDIC's BankFind Suite tool. To check a credit union's NCUA status, use the NCUA's Credit Union Locator tool.
Get extra FDIC coverage. If you have a lot of money saved, $250,000 worth of insurance may not be enough. Luckily, some banks allow you to insure deposits beyond the standard $250,000 by using something called reciprocal deposits. This system spreads your money between multiple partner banks, each of which can insure up to the standard limit. Alternatively, you can insure funds beyond the $250,000 maximum simply by opening accounts at multiple banks.
Build an emergency fund. An emergency fund is always important, but it's particularly crucial during a recession. Having cash on hand in a safe, high-interest account like a high-yield savings account gives you extra comfort and protection if an emergency does happen.
Read more: Recession-proof your money: How to protect your savings, investments, mortgage, and more
Yes, keeping your money in the bank during a recession is generally a good idea. You can also keep your money in a credit union. As long as your bank or credit union is insured by the FDIC or NCUA, your deposits will be safe up to federal limits.
Both banks and credit unions are safe places to keep your money during a recession. Banks are insured by the FDIC, and credit unions are insured by the NCUA. Both types of financial institutions insure up to $250,000 per depositor, per account category. Both banks and credit unions are safer than keeping physical cash, which can get lost, stolen, or damaged.
Generally, the government can't take money from your bank account in a crisis. However, it may be able to garnish wages and seize your tax refund if you owe outstanding debt, such as federal student loans.