Financial literacy guide

Deposit insurance basics

Deposit insurance can protect eligible deposits if a covered institution fails, but coverage rules and limits are jurisdiction-specific.

Deposit insuranceBank safety

Editorial review: August 11, 2026 · Lauren M. Whitfield

Coverage is not universal

Country, institution charter, account ownership and deposit type affect eligibility.

U.S. example

The FDIC insures deposits at FDIC-insured banks subject to its rules and coverage limits; credit unions use a different U.S. system.

International readers

Other countries use different deposit-guarantee schemes with different limits and exclusions.

Verify directly

Check the regulator or insurance agency for the specific institution rather than assuming a logo or account type is covered.

Educational information only. Use current product terms and the rules that apply in your country. For decisions with significant financial consequences, consider an appropriately qualified professional.