Because of the added security banks and other financial institutions like credit unions offer to consumers, many people opt to put the extra money they have into a savings account. Every financial institution has different regulations on what they require to open and maintain these savings accounts. This includes stipulations on the minimum balance.\
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It Depends on Your Bank
There is no standard minimum balance for savings accounts at financial institutions. Instead, institutions may decide at their discretion whether to require consumers to hold a minimum balance. Subsequently, the minimum amount required will vary depending on the institution.
Typical Minimum Balances (Individual Accounts)
Many banks offer savings accounts for which there is no minimum balance. The banks that do have minimum balance requirements usually keep the requirement fairly low – around $100 or less – because they understand consumers can go elsewhere if they can't meet minimum balance requirements.
Some banks, however, may require minimum balances as high as $1,000 or more. These banks keep their minimum higher because they have researched the average minimum balance their customers typically hold and know the requirement usually won't be problematic. Some banks require minimum balances to avoid fees.
On a regular savings account, Bank of America requires a $300 daily balance to avoid fees, or you must link your account to checking or Bank of America Advantage accounts, enroll in their Preferred Rewards program. Wells Fargo requires a minimum daily balance of $500 for its Everyday Checking Account to avoid a $10 monthly fee.
Typical Minimum Balances (Business Savings Accounts)
Although many businesses keep their funds in general, interest-bearing checking accounts, some companies opt to open separate savings accounts to accommodate items such as employee retirement funds that are intended for specific purposes. For these types of savings accounts, the minimum balance usually is much higher than the minimum balance for individuals.
Bank of America, for example, requires a $5,000 minimum balance on its Business Advantage Fundamentals Banking accounts to avoid a monthly fee.
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Why Banks Require a Minimum
Financial institutions require you to keep a minimum balance in your savings account because it ensures them they'll have a reserve of funds to meet the expenses of maintaining the accounts at the bank. Banks that don't require minimum balances generally have alternate funding sources on which they can rely aside from the minimum balances. Banks that have a high minimum balance may not have these reserves and alternatives.
Failure to Keep a Minimum Balance
In many cases, if you don't keep the minimum balance as required by your financial institution in your savings account, the institution charges you a penalty fee. However, in some cases, these fees can be hefty. Some institutions are much stricter.
They may close your account if you don't remedy your minimum balance deficiency within a specified period. Often you will authorize the institution to take this action when you fill out the paperwork related to opening the account, so this shouldn't take you by surprise if it happens.
Benefits of Minimum Balances
Minimum balance requirements have two primary benefits. First, they ensure that you always have a minimum reserve of funds available to you as long as you have the account. Secondly, they sometimes entitle you to certain perks, such as waived fees for other services. Keeping a minimum balance thus is a simple way to save additional money for the life of the account.
