Five Things You Should Know About Money Market Account Interest Rates

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Five Things You Should Know About Money Market Account Interest Rates

Posted On : Nov-23-2011 | seen (439) times | Article Word Count : 614 |

Money market accounts offer a powerful combination of low risk and high reward that can be difficult to find among other investment vehicles.

Money market accounts offer a powerful combination of low risk and high reward that can be difficult to find among other investment vehicles. An investor looking for a new savings opportunity can easily find a high interest rate on a money market account, and his or her investment will be protected from unstable market conditions. With this in mind, it's easy to see why money market accounts are so popular with investors of all levels. If you're interested in receiving these benefits and more, you should know the following five facts about money market account interest rates.

1. You'll Earn a High Interest Rate with a Money Market Account

When investors consider opening money market accounts, they are often persuaded by favorable interest rate offers. The interest rate on a money market account is almost always higher than the rate for a checking or savings account because the bank earns money on the investment. Though your money is still available to you through a limited number of withdrawals, the bank invests the funds you've deposited. Because they make money from your investment, you receive a higher interest rate than you would with a standard checking account.

2. Your Interest Rate is Determined by Market Conditions

While your interest rate is higher because of the benefits the bank receives from your account, the rate is also determined by current market conditions. Some investors have difficulty understanding the connection between the account's interest rate and the economy because they believe that money market accounts are wholly unrelated. To understand the distinction, it's important to realize that your principal balance is always protected and unaffected by market trends. The interest rate, however, is influenced by current market rates.

3. The Rate You Receive Fluctuates Over Time

With that in mind, you also need to realize that the interest rate you receive will fluctuate over time. The rate you receive on your initial deposit is not the same rate that you'll earn for the duration of the investment. Your interest rate could increase or decrease over time, and there is no way to predict what will happen to it. You can try to plan your investment so that you'll open the account during a favorable time, but the initial rate will have little bearing on the future interest you receive.

4. Other Investments Have Higher Interest Rates with Stricter Terms

Keep in mind that you can sometimes find a higher interest rate from other types of investments. For example, you'll often yield a higher interest rate from a certificate of deposit (CD) because the investment has a fixed term. By agreeing to keep the money in savings for a fixed period of time, you earn a higher interest rate as an incentive from the bank. However, these types of investments have stricter terms and less flexibility than money market accounts. If your money is in a CD, you will face penalty charges for trying to withdraw it early. When your savings is in a money market account, however, you'll have access to it whenever you need the cash.

5. You Need to Compare Banks to Find the Best Rate

Once you've decided to open a money market account, compare rates between banks in order to find the best account. Your interest rate is largely influenced by current market trends and the type of account you're opening, but you can also find special offers and promotions from various banks. In addition to comparing each bank's interest rate, think about the other features each account offers. Look for an account that offers you a comprehensive package of favorable benefits.

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<h1> Five Things You Should Know About Money Market Account Interest Rates</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Jess Hall.aspx'>Jess Hall</a> Money market accounts offer a powerful combination of low risk and high reward that can be difficult to find among other investment vehicles. An investor looking for a new savings opportunity can easily find a high interest rate on a money market account, and his or her investment will be protected from unstable market conditions. With this in mind, it's easy to see why money market accounts are so popular with investors of all levels. If you're interested in receiving these benefits and more, you should know the following five facts about money market account interest rates.

1. You'll Earn a High Interest Rate with a Money Market Account

When investors consider opening money market accounts, they are often persuaded by favorable interest rate offers. The interest rate on a money market account is almost always higher than the rate for a checking or savings account because the bank earns money on the investment. Though your money is still available to you through a limited number of withdrawals, the bank invests the funds you've deposited. Because they make money from your investment, you receive a higher interest rate than you would with a standard checking account.

2. Your Interest Rate is Determined by Market Conditions

While your interest rate is higher because of the benefits the bank receives from your account, the rate is also determined by current market conditions. Some investors have difficulty understanding the connection between the account's interest rate and the economy because they believe that money market accounts are wholly unrelated. To understand the distinction, it's important to realize that your principal balance is always protected and unaffected by market trends. The interest rate, however, is influenced by current market rates.

3. The Rate You Receive Fluctuates Over Time

With that in mind, you also need to realize that the interest rate you receive will fluctuate over time. The rate you receive on your initial deposit is not the same rate that you'll earn for the duration of the investment. Your interest rate could increase or decrease over time, and there is no way to predict what will happen to it. You can try to plan your investment so that you'll open the account during a favorable time, but the initial rate will have little bearing on the future interest you receive.

4. Other Investments Have Higher Interest Rates with Stricter Terms

Keep in mind that you can sometimes find a higher interest rate from other types of investments. For example, you'll often yield a higher interest rate from a certificate of deposit (CD) because the investment has a fixed term. By agreeing to keep the money in savings for a fixed period of time, you earn a higher interest rate as an incentive from the bank. However, these types of investments have stricter terms and less flexibility than money market accounts. If your money is in a CD, you will face penalty charges for trying to withdraw it early. When your savings is in a money market account, however, you'll have access to it whenever you need the cash.

5. You Need to Compare Banks to Find the Best Rate

Once you've decided to open a money market account, compare rates between banks in order to find the best account. Your interest rate is largely influenced by current market trends and the type of account you're opening, but you can also find special offers and promotions from various banks. In addition to comparing each bank's interest rate, think about the other features each account offers. Look for an account that offers you a comprehensive package of favorable benefits.
About the Author: Jess Hall is a personal finance writer located out of Jersey City. She likes to share with others how she manages to achieve a financially fit lifestyle. Her latest article discusses how she was able to find competitive money market <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.aurorabankfsb.com/consumer/banking/mmarket">rates</a>. Other sites that she likes to visit include <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.aurorabankfsb.com/consumer/banking/market">https://www.aurorabankfsb.com/consumer/banking/market</a> Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Five-Things-You-Should-Know-About-Money-Market-Account-Interest-Rates_108368.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_ Five Things You Should Know About Money Market Account Interest Rates_108368.aspx</a>

Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_ Five Things You Should Know About Money Market Account Interest Rates_108368.aspx

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Jess Hall is a personal finance writer located out of Jersey City. She likes to share with others how she manages to achieve a financially fit lifestyle. Her latest article discusses how she was able to find competitive money market rates. Other sites that she likes to visit include https://www.aurorabankfsb.com/consumer/banking/market

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