Why do some banks offer High Yield Savings Accounts and some don't

A High Yield Savings Account (HYSA) is a type of savings account that offers a significantly higher interest rate compared to a standard savings account. The "high yield" term refers to the higher interest that the account generates.

Traditional brick-and-mortar banks often have higher overhead costs, which can sometimes result in lower interest rates for their savings accounts. Online banks and credit unions, on the other hand, often have lower overhead costs, allowing them to offer higher interest rates. This is where you'll typically find High Yield Savings Accounts.

HYSAs are particularly beneficial for individuals looking to earn a higher return on their savings without taking on the risk associated with other forms of investment.

It's important to note that the interest rate offered on these accounts may change over time based on the bank's policies and prevailing economic conditions. Like other savings accounts, HYSAs are usually subject to federal transaction limits; such as allows you to make up to six withdrawals or outbound transfers per statement cycle without incurring a fee.

Why some banks can offer High Yield Savings Accounts

Interest rates offered by banks can vary for several reasons. Here are some of the most important factors:

• Business Model: The business model of the bank often plays a large role in determining interest rates. Online banks, for instance, generally have fewer overhead costs (like rent, utility bills, or physical staff salaries) compared to traditional brick-and-mortar banks. This allows them to offer higher interest rates to their customers.
• Economic Conditions: Interest rates can also be influenced by the overall state of the economy, as well as specific monetary policy decisions made by a country's central bank. When the economy is booming, interest rates often rise. Conversely, during a recession, interest rates often drop.
• Competition: In order to attract new customers and retain existing ones, banks often compete with each other on the basis of interest rates. For instance, a bank might offer a high introductory interest rate for new customers, or a premium interest rate for customers who maintain a high balance in their account.
• Profit Margins: The interest rate a bank offers is directly related to its profit margins. For a bank to remain profitable, it must earn more from its loans and investments than it pays out in interest to its depositors. The interest rate a bank can afford to offer is therefore constrained by its overall profitability.
• Risk Management: The interest rate a bank offers may also reflect its risk management strategy. Banks with a higher risk tolerance may be willing to offer higher interest rates, while banks with a lower risk tolerance may offer lower rates.

So, while it may seem like some banks are simply being more generous than others, the reality is that these banks are making strategic decisions based on a variety of economic and business factors. It's also worth noting that a high interest rate is not the only factor to consider when choosing a bank – other factors like customer service, accessibility, and the range of available services can also be important.

How do banks make money on High Yield Savings Accounts?

Banks make money on High Yield Savings Accounts and other types of deposit accounts, by lending out the money that's deposited into these accounts. Here's how it works:

When you deposit money into a bank account, you're effectively lending money to the bank. The bank pays you interest for the use of your money. The rate they pay for deposits into a HYSA is higher than what they would pay for a regular savings account, but it's still typically lower than the interest rate they charge on loans.

The bank then uses your deposited money to lend to other customers in the form of personal loans, mortgages, business loans, etc. The interest rate they charge on these loans is higher than the interest rate they pay on your HYSA. The difference between the interest the bank earns from the loans and the interest it pays to depositors is called the net interest margin, which is a major source of revenue for banks.

It's important to note that banks are required by law to keep a certain portion of their deposits on hand - this is called the reserve requirement. This is to ensure that they have enough liquidity to meet their immediate obligations and to prevent a bank run.

Also, it's worth noting that while the money in your HYSA is loaned out, your access to the funds is not affected. This is because the bank operates under the assumption that not all depositors will withdraw all their funds at once.

This model is based on the fractional reserve banking system, which is used around the world.

What is The Fractional Reserve Banking System?

Fractional reserve banking is a system in which only a fraction of bank deposits are backed by actual cash-on-hand and are available for withdrawal. This is done to expand the economy by freeing capital for lending.

Here's a basic explanation of how it works:

• Deposits: When customers deposit money into a bank, the bank keeps a portion of those deposits in reserve (as cash in the bank or deposited at the central bank) and loans out the rest. The amount the bank is required to keep in reserve is determined by the central bank's reserve requirement. This reserve requirement is often a percentage of the total deposits the bank has.
• Loans: The money that's loaned out is used by businesses to invest in new projects, by homebuyers to purchase homes, and so on. When these loans are repaid, they come back to the bank with interest, which provides the bank with income.
• Multiplying Effect: When the bank loans money to a customer, that money eventually ends up back in a bank (possibly a different one), which can then loan out a portion of that deposit, and so on. This cycle can repeat many times, effectively multiplying the original deposit and increasing the money supply in the economy.

It's important to note that while this system allows banks to create money and stimulate economic growth, it's based on the premise that not all depositors will try to withdraw all their funds simultaneously. If they do (in what's known as a bank run), the bank could fail if it doesn't have enough reserves to cover the withdrawals. This is why federal insurance schemes like the FDIC in the U.S. exist – to maintain confidence in the banking system by ensuring that customers can always withdraw their deposits up to the insured limit.

While fractional reserve banking is a common practice globally, it has critics who argue it can lead to economic instability and contribute to inflation. Others see it as a necessary system for promoting economic growth and smoothing out economic cycles.

Are High Yield Savings Accounts Safe?

Yes, High Yield Savings Accounts (HYSAs) are generally considered safe. This is because, like other deposit accounts offered by banks, HYSAs are typically insured by a government agency.

In the United States, for example, deposit accounts are insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This means that even if the bank fails, the government guarantees the money up to the insured limit.

Similarly, in the European Union, deposit guarantee schemes protect depositors' savings by guaranteeing deposits up to a limit of €100,000.

It is important to ensure that the bank offering the HYSA is indeed a member of one of these insurance schemes. While this is almost always the case, it's still worth checking.

Another thing to remember is that while HYSAs are safe in the sense that you won't lose your deposit, they do not protect against inflation. If the interest rate on your HYSA is lower than the rate of inflation, you could still effectively lose money in terms of purchasing power.

Also, it's important to note that any investment involves some level of risk, including the risk of loss. While government insurance can protect the nominal value of your savings, it cannot guarantee a certain level of return or protect against all possible risks.

You should be cautious before opening any financial account, it's important to read the terms and conditions and understand any fees, withdrawal restrictions, or requirements to earn the advertised interest rate.