FDIC and NCUA Deposit Insurance Coverage (2026)

FDIC / NCUA coverage by ownership category (2026)

How to get more than $250,000 of coverage at a single bank

Coverage stacks across ownership categories, not across accounts in the same category. Two single-name savings accounts at the same bank still share one $250k limit. But a single account, a joint account with a spouse, and an IRA at the same bank are three separate categories worth $250k each.

For deposits well above $1M, use a network like IntraFi (formerly CDARS / ICS), it splits your money across dozens of FDIC banks while you deal with one statement. The full balance stays insured because each slice sits under $250k at each bank.

What FDIC and NCUA do not cover

Neither covers losses on investment products even when bought at the bank: stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, annuities, life insurance, Treasury securities held in a brokerage, and crypto. Brokerage accounts are protected separately by SIPC up to $500,000 ($250,000 cash), but SIPC covers loss from broker failure, not market losses.

Safe-deposit-box contents are not insured by FDIC. Coverage for those depends on your bank's own policy and any rider on your homeowners insurance.

FDIC vs NCUA, practical differences

Both are federal agencies, both use the $250,000 limit, and both have never failed to make insured depositors whole. The main difference is who they cover: FDIC covers banks and savings associations; NCUA's Share Insurance Fund covers federal credit unions and most state-chartered ones. A handful of state-chartered credit unions use private insurance instead, confirm with the institution before opening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is FDIC coverage automatic?

Yes, every deposit at an FDIC-insured bank is automatically insured up to the limit. You don't apply, opt-in, or pay anything for it.

Are joint accounts insured for $500,000 or $250,000?

$500,000, the limit is $250,000 per co-owner, and a typical joint account has two owners. Add a third owner and it climbs to $750,000.

Does FDIC insurance cover money in a fintech app like Cash App or Chime?

Indirectly. Fintechs are not banks; they hold customer balances at FDIC-insured partner banks. Pass-through coverage applies only if recordkeeping is correct, the 2024 Synapse collapse exposed gaps in this model. Verify the partner bank and read the fintech's deposit-account agreement.

Primary sources

• FDIC, Deposit Insurance FAQs , Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Verified May 10, 2026.
• FDIC EDIE, Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator , Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Verified May 10, 2026.
• NCUA, Share Insurance Coverage , National Credit Union Administration. Verified May 10, 2026.