What Is A Money Maker Account

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What is a money market account?

A money market account is a savings account that may also have debit card and check-writing privileges. The accounts typically limit the number of purchases and transfers to six each month. ATM withdrawals usually are not capped.

Traditionally, money market accounts often offered higher interest rates compared with regular savings accounts. But these days, rates are similar. However, many MMAs have higher minimum deposit or balance requirements than regular savings accounts.

Deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. at banks and the National Credit Union Administration at credit unions. Your money is protected, up to $250,000 per depositor, if the financial institution goes out of business.

What are the pros and cons of money market accounts?

Is a money market account worth it? That depends. If you're considering one, keep these pros and cons in mind.

Pros

Better rates than typical checking accounts and some savings accounts.
Safe place to keep a large chunk of money, protected by FDIC or NCUA insurance.
Easier access to funds than with traditional savings accounts because of debit card and check features, which might be helpful in an emergency.

Cons

Some institutions require high minimum balances to open an account or avoid fees.
Rates are lower compared with some high-yield savings accounts.
Access to money with checks and debit cards could encourage impulse spending, which might make it harder to save.

When to choose a money market account over a savings account

If your bank pays better or the same rate on its standard savings account as a money market account, and your goal is to park your funds and watch your bank balance grow, it might be worth sticking with the savings account. But if the money market's rate is higher than the savings account, or you need to make an occasional purchase from the account, and you can meet any minimum balance requirement, it could be a good idea to open a money market account.

Compare money market accounts

CIT Bank logo

CIT Bank Money Market Account

CIT Bank logo

Quontic Bank logo

Quontic Money Market Account

Quontic Bank logo

Axos Bank® logo

Axos Bank® High Yield Money Market

Axos Bank® logo

How to choose a money market account

Look for a money market account with a high interest rate and no monthly fee. The account should also have a low minimum balance — less than $1,000 is often attainable. Some institutions require $10,000 or more to earn the best rates or avoid a fee, while others have no minimum.

Money market accounts vs. other accounts

Money market accounts have features that overlap with those of other bank accounts, but there are important differences. Consider how they compare with other savings accounts:

Type of account	How is the interest rate?	Why open this account?
Money market account	Competitive with savings accounts.	May pay a better interest rate than a regular savings account. Typically offers the ability to write checks or make debit card purchases (may be limited to six times a month).
Savings account	Competitive with money market accounts, but often lower than top CD rates.	Usually has a lower minimum opening deposit and lower balance requirement than a money market account. High-yield savings accounts earn more than some money market accounts. Read more about high-interest savings accounts .
Certificates of deposit (CDs)	Generally highest of all bank accounts, but money is inaccessible for fixed time periods.	Earn interest on a chunk of money you won't need for months or years. Get higher interest rates without the risk of investing in the equity markets. (Learn more about how timing and risk tolerance helps you determine where to put your money, and find the accounts with the best CD rates this month .)

Money market accounts also have crucial differences from other types of bank accounts:

Money market fund: A money market account is not the same thing as a money market fund, which is an investment that could lose value if the market falls. Unlike money market funds, money market accounts are federally insured by the FDIC or NCUA.
Checking account: A money market account isn't a checking account. MMAs may have check-writing and debit card features, but, as with regular savings accounts, they can be limited to six "convenient" transfers or withdrawals a month. That includes transactions by check, debit card swipe or online transfer. If you want to earn yields while also having the ability to write checks and make frequent withdrawals, you may be better off opening a checking account that earns interest. You can look for interest-bearing options in NerdWallet's list of best checking accounts .

» Want to learn more about investing in the stock market? Check out our guide for beginners.