FDIC and NCUA insurance for CDs, explained

Last reviewed Oct 29, 2026 · CompareCDRate editorial team · General education, not financial advice

Who insures what

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures deposits at member banks and savings associations. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) insures member deposits at federally insured credit unions through the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. Both are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Neither covers stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, or crypto.

The $250,000 standard limit

The standard coverage amount is $250,000 per depositor, per insured institution, for each ownership category. All your deposits in the same ownership category at the same institution — checking, savings, money market accounts and CDs — are added together. Different brand names owned by the same bank may count as one institution, so check the bank’s legal name.

Ownership categories

• Single accounts owned by one person: up to $250,000 per owner.
• Joint accounts: up to $250,000 per co-owner, so $500,000 for two people.
• Certain retirement accounts, such as IRAs: up to $250,000 per owner.
• Trust accounts (including payable-on-death accounts): at FDIC-insured banks, coverage is generally $250,000 per owner for each eligible beneficiary, up to five beneficiaries ($1.25 million per owner per bank).
• Business accounts for corporations, partnerships and LLCs: up to $250,000 per entity.

The rules for each category have details and exceptions — the regulators’ own resources are the authoritative source.

Brokered CDs

When you buy a brokered CD, coverage generally “passes through” the brokerage to you, provided the brokerage keeps records showing that you own the deposit. Your brokered CD counts toward your total at the issuing bank, so if you already have money there, add it up. The brokerage itself is not an insured bank.

Covering larger amounts

• Open CDs at more than one insured institution.
• Use different ownership categories, such as individual and joint accounts.
• Buy brokered CDs from several issuing banks through one brokerage account.
• Leave room for interest so the balance doesn’t creep over the limit.

How to check coverage

Use the FDIC’s BankFind tool to confirm a bank is insured and its Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE) to estimate coverage. For credit unions, use the NCUA’s credit union locator and share insurance estimator. You can also ask the institution directly.

Frequently asked questions