Banks offer a variety of deposit accounts ranging from regular checking to money market accounts. A NOW account is a type of deposit account that has features similar to a money market account. It’s worth learning what NOW stands for in banking. Although NOW accounts are not as popular as many other types, they are a good alternative for some people.
Identification
The acronym NOW stands for “Negotiable Order of Withdrawal.” A NOW account is a special type of interest bearing savings account. In addition to depositing money in a NOW account, you can write a draft called a negotiable order of withdrawal on the account and present it to a third party.
Types
There are two types of NOW accounts. A regular NOW account works much like a checking account, although you may have a minimum balance requirement. You earn interest comparable to a regular savings account and write NOW drafts just as you would personal checks. A Super NOW account more closely resembles a money market account. You have a higher minimum balance (usually $1000 to $2500, depending on the bank) and the interest rates are higher than regular NOW accounts.
History
In the 1970s small banks, particularly in the northeast, were facing stiff competition from the introduction of money market accounts by commercial banks and investment houses. Small banks weren’t positioned to create their own funds and were prohibited from paying interest on checking accounts by the Banking Act of 1933. The NOW account was developed by some Massachusetts banks to get around this prohibition. A negotiable order of withdrawal technically isn’t a check, although it works the same way. In 1981, federal banking regulations were amended to authorize NOW accounts on a nationwide basis and Super Now accounts were introduced the following year.
Function
When you write a negotiable order of withdrawal, it’s like taking money out of your savings account. The difference is that the NOW draft is negotiable, meaning you can give it to third parties just as you would personal checks. Third parties can than present NOW drafts to your bank to get their money. The NOW account ends up being like a money market account, except that the interest rate is fixed and the funds are on deposit in the bank rather than being invested in the shares of a money market fund.
Considerations
A NOW account has some advantages over a money market fund. Regular NOW accounts have lower minimum balances and you have more access to your money at most banks. However, the interest rates are lower than most money market funds. If you are able to leave a larger minimum balance in the account, Super NOW accounts have interest rates between those of savings accounts and money market accounts, but otherwise give you ready access to your money (except for that minimum balance).
References
- Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union. "Superior Money Market." Accessed Nov. 5, 2020.
- Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union. "Become a Member." Accessed Nov. 5, 2020.
- Premier Members Credit Union. "Money Market." Accessed Nov. 5, 2020.
- Co-Op Financial Services. "Co-Op Shared Branch." Accessed Nov. 5, 2020.
- National Cooperative Bank. "Impact Money Market." Accessed Nov. 5, 2020.
- Discover. "Online Banking FAQ: Money Market Accounts." Accessed Nov. 5, 2020.
- J.D. Power. "Direct Banks Earn Higher Customer Satisfaction than Traditional Retail Banks, but Face Call Center Challenges." Accessed Nov. 5, 2020.
- Self-Help Credit Union. "Money Market Account." Accessed Nov. 5, 2020.
- Self-Help Credit Union. "Eligibility | Member Eligibility." Accessed Nov. 5, 2020.
Resources
Writer Bio
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, W D Adkins has been writing professionally since 2008. He writes about business, personal finance and careers. Adkins holds master's degrees in history and sociology from Georgia State University. He became a member of the Society of Professional Journalists in 2009.