What is a business money market account?
A business money market account is a type of savings account that holds your company’s excess cash.
The money earns interest at rates of up to 5.26%, which is comparable to a high-yield savings account (HYSA). However, MMAs have an important advantage: they enable you to access your savings using a debit card, check or bank transfer.
Interest rates can be dramatically different depending on the bank and your balance, so it’s important to do your research. Online banks and MMAs offered through Raisin often have the best APYs, even for low balances. At a traditional bank, lower balances may earn an APY of 0.05% or lower.
Keep in mind that interest rates on MMAs are variable, which means they may change.
Why should I get a business money market account?
A business money market account is a safe place to store your company’s excess cash.
Interest rates are higher than traditional business savings accounts, so your balance grows faster. And because most banks allow free withdrawals, an MMA can also be a great place to build an emergency fund.
Pros and cons of business money market accounts
Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of business money market accounts.
Pros explained
Pros of business MMAs include:
-
Competitive APYs. Business money market accounts often come with high APYs to increase your interest earnings.
-
Easy, free withdrawals. Unlike CDs, you won’t pay a fee to take out money. Many accounts come with debit cards.
-
FDIC-insured. Reputable banks offer FDIC insurance for MMA balances up to $250,000 for individual accounts and $500,000 for joint accounts.
Cons explained
Cons of business MMAs include:
-
May have a high minimum deposit. Traditional banks often have high minimum deposit requirements to open a business MMA.
-
Best rates may be reserved for high balances. To discourage withdrawals, banks may offer the highest APYs to accounts that maintain a high daily balance of $25,000 or more.
-
Rates are usually variable. Variable APYs can change rapidly and without warning.
Types of business money market accounts
Most business money market accounts come in one of two types: traditional or high yield.
Traditional money market account
Traditional MMAs, which are often administered through brick-and-mortar banks, usually have lower interest rates. The APYs can be as low as 0.01% to 0.05%, particularly for accounts with smaller balances. This type of account often uses a tiered rate structure, with APYs that increase with each successive balance tier.
High-yield money market account
A high-yield MMA has rates that are comparable to a high-yield savings account — often, 5% or higher. These accounts are typically available through online banks or the online arm of a traditional bank.
Is a business money market account right for your business?
A business money market account could be right for your company if:
- You want to earn interest on extra cash.
- You’re willing to research to find the business money market rates.
- You want to make fee-free withdrawals.
Companies with solid savings will benefit most from a business MMA. Choose an account with a rate of 5% or higher and deposit a large sum, and you can earn a significant amount in interest.
How to choose the best business money market account
Keep these factors in mind as you select a business MMA:
-
APY. Look for the highest available APY, and find out if you need to maintain a specific balance to qualify.
-
Fees. Does the account charge monthly maintenance fees?
-
Minimums. Make sure you can meet the minimum requirements for the opening deposit and daily minimum.
-
Security. Verify that the account is FDIC-insured.
-
Transaction options. Determine if the bank allows check-writing privileges, ATM withdrawals and debit card purchases. Then, see if the bank limits the number of deposits and withdrawals you can make each month.
-
Accessibility. Ensure that the access options — online, in person or by phone — suit your company’s needs.
How to open a business money market account
Opening a business money market requires a straightforward process:
-
Enter personal and business details. This usually includes an address, contact information and details about your role in the business.
-
Provide identification and documentation. The bank may require you to provide a photo ID, Social Security number and employer identification number. You may also need a business license or other legal company documents.
-
Fund the account. Connect an external bank account, and make a deposit to open the account.
Alternatives to business money markets
Not sure if a business MMA is the right choice? You might be better off with an alternative.
Business savings account
Business savings accounts often have lower interest rates than business MMAs. Both savings and money market accounts allow unlimited deposits, but savings account withdrawals are usually limited to wires and transfers.
Business CD account
A business certificate of deposit (CD) may give you a higher interest rate than an MMA. CD rates are fixed, which makes it easier to predict your earnings. However, you’ll need to leave the money in the CD for the entire term to avoid early withdrawal penalties.
Business checking accounts
If you plan to make frequent deposits and withdrawals, a business checking account is a good option. Like business MMAs, these accounts come with debit cards, check-writing privileges and transfers. They usually have lower interest rates, and many come without minimum balance requirements.
You’ve viewed 3 of 3 articles
LOAD MORE