Check If Bank Is FDIC Insured: Coverage Limits & Lookup
Note: Based on publicly available guides; verify details on official sites.
Before depositing your money, it's essential to know whether your bank is protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This guide explains how to check if your bank is FDIC insured, what the FDIC actually covers, and the current coverage limits for different account types.
Essential checklist: Verify FDIC insurance in 4 steps
Use this quick checklist to confirm your bank's FDIC membership and understand your coverage. Each step is explained in detail in the sections below.
- Use the FDIC BankFind tool to search for your bank. Enter the exact name or your branch's city and state to see the official FDIC certificate number and status.
- Confirm the official bank name and location match your branch. Banks sometimes operate under multiple names (e.g., a division or trade name), so verify the legal entity listed in BankFind matches the name on your account statements.
- Look for the “Member FDIC” logo on the bank's website or in a branch. The logo is required, but it should always be cross-checked with BankFind because some non-deposit products or third-party entities may display it misleadingly.
- Review your account types and calculate your coverage limits. Use the FDIC's Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE) to see if your balances exceed the $250,000 limit per ownership category.
Use the FDIC BankFind tool to verify membership
The most reliable way to check if your bank is FDIC insured is to use the official FDIC BankFind tool. It provides a searchable database of all FDIC-insured institutions.
Enter your bank's name, city, or state to see its official status, including its certificate number and headquarters. The certificate number is a unique identifier assigned by the FDIC.
Make sure the name and location match the branch where you hold your accounts, as some banks operate under multiple names (e.g., a regional division or a trade name). If you see a match, your deposits are protected up to the applicable limits.
If you don't see a match, your bank may not be FDIC-insured—contact the bank directly to ask.
Look for the official FDIC membership signs
FDIC-insured banks are required to display the official “Member FDIC” logo in their branches and on their websites. However, the logo alone isn't enough—always cross-check with the FDIC BankFind database, because the logo may appear on a website for a non-deposit product (like an investment service) that is not FDIC-insured.
If you don't see the logo, ask a bank representative directly. You can also call the FDIC at 1-877-ASK-FDIC (1-877-275-3342) for confirmation.
Keep in mind that the FDIC insures deposits, not the bank itself—so even if the bank is sound, your deposits are protected up to the limits if the bank fails.
Understand what FDIC insurance covers
FDIC insurance protects your deposits in case a bank fails. It covers checking accounts, savings accounts, money market deposit accounts, and certificates of deposit (CDs).
It also covers certain retirement accounts like IRAs, but only the deposit portion—not the investments held within them.
FDIC insurance does not cover investment products such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or life insurance policies, even if you bought them through the bank. It also doesn't cover safe deposit box contents or losses due to fraud or theft.
If you have a cashier's check or a money order issued by the bank, those are also covered, but only if the bank fails and you have not yet deposited them.
Know the FDIC coverage limits for each account type
The standard FDIC insurance limit is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category. This means you can have more than $250,000 at the same bank if you spread it across different categories.
For example, if you have a single account with $300,000, only $250,000 is insured. The remaining $50,000 would be at risk if the bank fails. To stay fully covered, you can open accounts in different ownership categories or use multiple FDIC-insured banks.
The main ownership categories include:
- Single accounts (owned by one person)
- Joint accounts (two or more people) — each co-owner is insured up to $250,000 for their share
- Certain retirement accounts (like IRAs) — up to $250,000 per owner
- Revocable trust accounts — up to $250,000 per beneficiary, subject to limits
- Corporation, partnership, and unincorporated association accounts — up to $250,000 total for the entity
- Government accounts — up to $250,000 for official deposits
If you have multiple accounts in the same category at the same bank, they are added together for insurance purposes. For example, two single accounts with $150,000 each would be insured up to $250,000 combined, leaving $50,000 uninsured.
Use the FDIC's Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE)
To calculate your exact coverage, use the FDIC's Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE) . This tool lets you input your account details and see whether your deposits are fully insured.
EDIE is especially useful if you have multiple accounts at the same bank. It helps you understand how ownership categories affect your coverage and can guide you in restructuring your deposits if needed.
To use EDIE, you'll need to list each account you hold at the bank, including the account type, ownership category, and current balance. The tool will then show you the insured amount and any uninsured excess.
You can run the calculation as many times as you like, and you can also use it to plan ahead if you're considering opening new accounts.
What to do if your bank is not FDIC insured
If you discover your bank is not FDIC insured, consider moving your deposits to an FDIC-insured institution. Credit unions are often insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), which provides similar coverage up to $250,000.
Before switching, verify the new institution's insurance status using the appropriate official lookup tool. For credit unions, use the NCUA Credit Union Locator .
For banks, use the FDIC BankFind tool. Also, check the institution's website for the “Member FDIC” or “NCUA Insured” logo, but always confirm with the official database.
If you have more than $250,000 in deposits, you may need to spread your funds across multiple institutions to ensure full coverage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are credit unions FDIC insured?
No, credit unions are not FDIC insured. They are typically insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), which provides similar deposit insurance up to $250,000 per depositor.
You can verify a credit union's insurance status using the NCUA's Credit Union Locator.
What happens to my money if my FDIC-insured bank fails?
If your FDIC-insured bank fails, the FDIC will pay your insured deposits, usually within a few days. You do not need to file a claim; the FDIC will contact you or arrange for another bank to take over the accounts.
Deposits above the insured limit may not be fully recovered.
Does FDIC insurance cover online banks?
Yes, FDIC insurance covers deposits at online banks, as long as the bank is FDIC insured. Online banks often have the same coverage limits as traditional banks.
You can verify an online bank's FDIC status using the FDIC BankFind tool.
Can I have more than $250,000 insured at the same bank?
Yes, you can have more than $250,000 insured at the same bank if you hold accounts in different ownership categories. For example, a single account and a joint account are insured separately.
Use the FDIC's EDIE calculator to determine your exact coverage.
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