A simple new savings habit among Americans is helping the US dodge a recession... and grow their wealth
New research finds that more US consumers are shifting money out of traditional checking and savings accounts and into financial vehicles that offer investment income.
It's a trend that helps explain the surprising strength of the US economy — which continues to grow despite high inflation and uncertainty around tariffs.
The analysis, conducted by the JPMorganChase Institute, examined the accounts of 4.7 million households.
Researchers found that when including brokerage accounts, money market funds, and certificates of deposit, people's total cash reserves are actually rising.
That finding offers a fresh perspective at a time when standard bank balances, adjusted for inflation, remain flat and historically low.
'Families across many income bands are now seeing a turnaround in their total cash,' said Chris Wheat, president of the institute.
The shift explains a previously puzzling economic contradiction: consumer spending has remained strong, even though checking and savings balances appeared stagnant.
So far, this earnings season, companies have continually reported that consumers keep spending cash at record numbers.
GM reported a seven percent increase in US car sales. Hasbro said its revenue also shot up seven percent. Delta Airlines beat Wall Street's profit guidance.
Some consumers have even had cash lying around to invest in new meme stocks.
But that continued spending and stagnant wage growth might have just been a product of Americans making smarter financial moves.
Wheat also noted that in today's higher-interest environment, consumers parking cash in accounts that yield returns, rather than making risky, long-term investments.
Still, he cautioned that the trend might be temporary, and it's unclear whether it will continue.
JPMorganChase Institute also uncovered that the investment shifts were more popular for middle- and high-income earners.
The analysis also found that households earning under $35,000 saw their total cash balances increase at an annual rate of 5 to 6 percent.
It found the lowest income quartile typically holds just over $1,000 in bank accounts.
The median balances of the highest income quartile exceed $8,000.
While some Americans have been parking their cash in smart places, other metrics of financial health have shown some serious warning signs.
Millions of consumers are combating inflation with a record-setting arsenal of credit card debt — to the tune of $1.18 trillion.
Meanwhile, a record number of consumers are turning to an inceasing array of on-demand pay options and buy-now, pay-later microloans.
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