Money market accounts are similar to savings accounts , but often pay higher interest and may carry more restrictions, such as a higher minimum balance requirement.

The goal for account holders in money market accounts is often to receive more interest than an ordinary savings account can provide, but keep the minimal risk that comes with Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC insurance. These accounts are historically favored by conservative investors who seek a guaranteed return on their money.

They are the "boring" part of many balanced investment portfolios.

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In today's financial markets, safety is the one of the primary advantages of a money market account. Many money market accounts are hard to differentiate from savings accounts, though the ability to write checks is one way that some banks distinguish the two. But the security of both accounts is typically identical.

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Not one person has lost FDIC-insured funds since the agency was created in Money market accounts are a perennial favorite of people who take a skeptical view of more dynamic and riskier investments such as stocks. A money market account is perfect for someone who wants to preserve capital, rather than try to grow it rapidly -- and perhaps lose it rapidly.

When the stock market is plunging down and then spiking up, money market account holders sleep peacefully, knowing their money is safe. Money market accounts have a higher national average interest rate than savings accounts. According to the latest FDIC weekly national rates, the national average money market rate is 0. Money market accounts don't require you to leave your money in for any longer than you want to, and there's no penalty if you take it out unlike most certificates of deposit.

With the exception of the electronic transactions governed by Federal Regulation D , these accounts are liquid, meaning you can move money in and out of them when you like.

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Many banks will even give you an ATM card to do exactly that. Depending on the bank, you may also be able to write up to six checks per month out of the account. Again, this may not seem like that big of an advantage -- until you compare the liquidity of a money market account with the liquidity of the other places you can put your money.

Real estate, for example, is among the least liquid types of investments, since it can take months or even years to get your cash back from this type of investment. Money market accounts are at the opposite end of the spectrum from real estate, and are also more liquid than stocks and bonds.

These accounts should not be confused with money market funds , but they often are. Money market funds are more like mutual funds. They are an investment in the debt market.

They are not backed by FDIC insurance and you cannot withdraw your money as easily. If you think a money market account may be a good choice for you, please review the options on the MoneyRates. My husband had a money market savings account along with credit card through the same bank Wells Fargo. My husband died and three weeks later Wells Fargo took all but one dollar out of his money market savings account and put that money towards the balance of the credit card. They called it Off Set.

I thought no one could take his small retirement money market savings account? That account from what I was told is FDIC insured and I feel what Wells Fargo did was not only cruel but illegal. What can you tell me about this? You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog. Because rates and offers from advertisers shown on this website change frequently, please visit referenced sites for current information.

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