In the United States, call deposit accounts tend to be checking accounts that earn interest and may require higher minimum balances to benefit from the best interest rates. Often, you’ll see these advertised as “advantage checking” accounts that may come with different tiers available depending on your balance. Internationally, you’ll more often see call deposit accounts advertised as a way to invest your money in multiple currency options. For example, if you lived in South Africa, you might decide to open a call deposit account and convert your money into U.S. dollars. In some cases, you’ll need a minimum balance to earn interest. You could then withdraw your foreign currency when you need it, subject to any bank notice requirement, but a handling charge may apply for this kind of transaction.
How a Call Deposit Account Works
Call deposit accounts function much like other interest-bearing bank accounts in that the bank pays you interest in exchange for your depositing money they can use to extend credit to others. The interest you earn on these accounts may depend on what your balance is. Some banks pay the same rate regardless of the balance and some pay a higher rate for balances up to, say, $10,000, then drop the rate for balances bigger than $10,000. Still, others may require a minimum balance to earn interest. The interest rates offered on these accounts can change based on market conditions and your bank’s decisions, so your actual returns can vary. You can use many call deposit accounts as you would with a standard checking account: do online transfers, make mobile deposits, pay bills online, use ATMs, and get a debit card for purchases. You won’t be subject to any limits on how many withdrawals you can make each cycle or associated fees for excess withdrawals like you would with some savings accounts. You also usually don’t have to wait a certain period of time to access your money or pay a penalty like you would with a certificate of deposit (CD). Call deposit accounts can come with various requirements and fees. For example, you might have to:
Deposit a minimum amount of money to open the accountMaintain a certain balance to avoid paying for monthly maintenance or being dropped to a different tier.
Other fees are typical for other checking accounts and can apply to out-of-network ATM transactions, overdrafts and returned checks, or stopped payments.
Pros and Cons of a Call Deposit Account
Pros Explained
Flexible access to your cash: Since it works much like a basic checking account, a call deposit account usually gives you the freedom to use your money whenever you need it. This helps if you need to make several transactions that might otherwise be limited and avoids hassles that come with CDs. Ability to earn interest: Call deposit accounts give you the flexibility of standard checking and the benefit of interest. Interest rates vary by bank, so make sure you shop around to find the best rate.
Cons Explained
Minimum deposit and balance requirements: Some banks set minimums for how much you first deposit and how much you need to keep in your account to earn interest. Not maintaining the minimum balance could mean a monthly maintenance fee, too. Account fees: Like other types of bank accounts, you can face fees for a variety of reasons such as using an out-of-network ATM, writing bounced checks, or not meeting minimum balance requirements.
Call Deposit Account vs. Time Deposit Account
Call deposit accounts contrast with time deposit accounts, also known as certificates of deposit (CDs). While call deposits don’t have a maturity date, CDs commonly have a maturity of anywhere from weeks to months or years. You usually need to invest a minimum amount in a CD and can’t add to it like you could with a call deposit account.
A CD offers the benefit of interest that may be higher than with a call deposit account. The rate may also be either fixed or variable. Since the bank intends for you not to withdraw funds from your CD until the end date, you’ll usually pay a penalty in the form of forfeited interest for early withdrawals. These features mean that CDs offer less liquidity and flexibility than call deposit accounts. Your chosen bank may allow you to apply for the call deposit account online, or you might need to visit a branch. You’ll have to provide identification and you may need to provide an initial deposit.
