Every bank with "FDIC insured" in its disclosures is covered, but you need to verify it yourself

The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) insures deposits at banks that have joined the program and meet its requirements. Not every bank is FDIC insured — some are state-chartered and insured by a different program, and some are not insured at all. The FDIC does not publish a simple list you can search by bank name, so you have to check each bank individually using the FDIC's own tool or by looking at the bank's deposit insurance disclosures.

The fastest way to confirm is to use the FDIC's BankFind tool at ibb.fdic.gov. Type in the bank name or the city where you bank, and it will tell you whether that specific branch is FDIC insured, what the insurance limit is, and when the bank joined the program. If the bank does not appear in BankFind, it is not FDIC insured.

You can also look at the bank's own paperwork. FDIC-insured banks are required by law to display the FDIC logo and insurance statement on their website, in their lobby, and on account statements. The statement will say something like "deposits are insured by the FDIC" and will name the insurance limit (usually $250,000 per depositor per bank).

Key Takeaways

  • Use the FDIC's BankFind tool at ibb.fdic.gov to check whether a specific bank branch is FDIC insured — this is the official source and takes less than a minute.
  • FDIC-insured banks must display the FDIC logo and insurance statement on their website and in their lobby, so you can also verify by looking for that disclosure.
  • Not all banks are FDIC insured; some are insured by state programs or credit union insurance instead, so checking is necessary before you open an account.
  • The standard FDIC insurance limit is $250,000 per depositor per bank, but the limit can be higher for certain account types like retirement accounts or trust accounts.
  • If a bank is not FDIC insured, your deposits have no federal insurance protection if the bank fails.

How to use BankFind to check a specific bank

Go to ibb.fdic.gov and enter the bank name in the search box. If you know the city or state, you can narrow the search by location. The tool will return a list of branches for that bank, along with the FDIC certificate number, the date the bank joined the FDIC, and the insurance limit for each account type.

If the bank name does not appear at all, it is not FDIC insured. This does not mean the bank is unsafe or illegal — it may be insured by a state program, or it may be an uninsured institution. But it does mean your deposits are not protected by federal FDIC insurance if the bank fails.

The BankFind tool also shows you the FDIC region office that oversees that bank, in case you need to file a complaint or report a problem with the bank's insurance coverage.

What to look for on a bank's website or statements

FDIC-insured banks must display the FDIC logo — a blue rectangle with white letters — somewhere visible on their website, usually in the footer or on a page about deposit insurance. Next to the logo, there will be text that says something like "deposits are insured by the FDIC up to the applicable limit for each depositor for each insured bank."

On paper statements or account agreements, the bank must include a similar disclosure. Some banks include it on the back of the statement or in a separate insert. If you cannot find any FDIC disclosure after looking at the website and your statements, that is a sign the bank may not be FDIC insured — and you should verify using BankFind before moving money there.

The disclosure will also tell you what the insurance limit is for your type of account. For most checking and savings accounts, it is $250,000 per depositor per bank. But if you have a retirement account (IRA), a trust account, or a joint account, the limit may be different, and the bank should spell that out.

Banks that are not FDIC insured

Credit unions are not FDIC insured — they are insured by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) instead. NCUA insurance works the same way as FDIC insurance (up to $250,000 per member per credit union), but it is a separate program. If you bank at a credit union, look for the NCUA logo instead of the FDIC logo.

Some banks are state-chartered and insured by a state deposit insurance program rather than the FDIC. These are less common, but they do exist. The state program will have its own logo and disclosure language. You can check whether a state program exists by looking at the bank's website or by calling the bank and asking what insurance covers your deposits.

Online banks, fintech companies, and money transfer services may or may not be FDIC insured. Some online banks are FDIC insured (and will say so on their website), but others are not. Never assume an online bank is insured just because it looks professional or has good reviews — always check BankFind or ask the company directly.

What happens if a bank fails and is FDIC insured

If an FDIC-insured bank fails, the FDIC steps in and pays depositors up to the insurance limit per account. You do not have to do anything — the FDIC will contact you. The payout usually happens within a few days, though in rare cases it can take longer.

The FDIC pays each account separately. If you have $200,000 in a checking account and $100,000 in a savings account at the same FDIC-insured bank, both are covered in full because they are separate accounts. But if you have $300,000 in a checking account, only $250,000 is insured, and you lose the rest.

If the bank is not FDIC insured and it fails, you have no federal insurance protection. You become an unsecured creditor in the bank's bankruptcy, which means you may recover some money, but there is no may provide. This is why checking whether a bank is FDIC insured before you open an account matters.

What the insurance limit means for your money

The standard FDIC insurance limit is $250,000 per depositor per bank. This means if you have more than $250,000 at one FDIC-insured bank, the amount over $250,000 is not insured. If you want to keep more than $250,000 insured, you can split it across multiple FDIC-insured banks, and each bank's $250,000 limit applies separately.

Certain account types have their own separate $250,000 limit. A retirement account (IRA) at a bank has a separate $250,000 limit from a checking account at the same bank. A joint account has a separate $250,000 limit. A trust account has a separate limit. This means you can have more than $250,000 insured at one bank if the money is in different account types.

The FDIC website has a calculator that shows you how much of your money is insured based on the account types you have. If you have a complicated situation — multiple accounts, joint accounts, or trust accounts — the calculator can help you figure out whether you need to move money to another bank to keep it all insured.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my money safe at a bank that is not FDIC insured?

Not in the same way. If the bank fails, you have no federal insurance protection. The bank may still be safe and well-run, but you are taking on the risk that if something goes wrong, you could lose your money. Most people prefer to bank at FDIC-insured institutions for this reason.

Do I need to do anything to make sure my deposits are insured?

No. If you bank at an FDIC-insured bank, your deposits are automatically insured up to the limit. You do not need to sign up, pay a fee, or take any action. The insurance is automatic.

What if I have money at multiple branches of the same bank?

All branches of the same bank count as one bank for FDIC insurance purposes. If you have $150,000 at one branch and $150,000 at another branch of the same bank, the total is $300,000, and only $250,000 is insured. To keep all your money insured, you would need to move some to a different bank.

Can I check FDIC insurance status for a bank I do not currently use?

Yes. The BankFind tool is open to anyone and does not require you to be a customer. You can check any bank before you open an account to make sure it is FDIC insured.

If a bank is FDIC insured, does that mean it is a good bank to use?

FDIC insurance protects your money if the bank fails, but it does not tell you anything about the bank's customer service, fees, or interest rates. A bank can be FDIC insured and still have poor service or high fees. Check both the insurance status and the bank's other features before you decide.