Pros & Cons of Multiple Savings Accounts | Blog (2024)

February 2021Pros & Cons of Multiple Savings Accounts | Blog (1)

When you want to securely store your money, you can choose to open one or more savings accounts at the bank. If you’re unsure how many accounts to open, it’s a good idea to keep the advantages and disadvantages of having multiple savings accounts in mind before making a decision.

Pro: Meeting your financial goals

If you have clear financial goals that you want to meet, Ellen Chang, contributor to U.S. News & World Report, says that having a set account for each goal can provide the motivation to save more. You may have different accounts dedicated to emergency situations, vacations, car payments and other objectives. By having these different accounts, you can more easily check your progress toward each objective, according to Justin Pritchard, writer for The Balance. In addition, Pritchard says you can better budget for monthly and annual expenses when these have their own accounts.

As Pritchard also notes, you may feel more upset taking money out of a savings account that’s devoted to a goal you deeply care about, and this may stop you from buying unnecessary expenses. Meanwhile, if you are joyful seeing your balance increase over time, you may have positive reinforcement to keep saving money for a specific account.

Con: Keeping track of your accounts

One downfall of having multiple accounts is that it can be difficult to keep track of them all and to remember which account is for which savings goal. Having said that, there are a few tricks you can use to keep them hassle free and organized.

  • Have a portion of your paycheck directly deposited into each account. This usually can be set up with your HR department, however they may limit the number of accounts they can deposit into.
  • Set up an automatic transfer. If direct deposit isn’t an option, you can set up an automatic transfer to move the funds from one account to another on whatever day you choose. The benefit of this is you don’t have to remember to transfer the funds later, it’s done automatically for you.
  • Label your accounts. Within Waukesha State Bank’s VaultLink Online Banking platform, you can also add a “nickname” to your accounts. This lets you label the account in a way that you’ll know what it should be used for, such as “vacation,” “house downpayment,” “school expenses,” etc. That way you won’t get confused as to which account to use when you need the funds.

If you’re unsure whether to have one or several savings accounts, speak with one of our Personal Bankers to discuss which options are right for your specific situation. Our bankers are always here to help!

Pros & Cons of Multiple Savings Accounts | Blog (2024)

FAQs

Pros & Cons of Multiple Savings Accounts | Blog? ›

Con: Keeping track of your accounts

One downfall of having multiple accounts is that it can be difficult to keep track of them all and to remember which account is for which savings goal. Having said that, there are a few tricks you can use to keep them hassle free and organized.

Is there a downside to having multiple savings accounts? ›

Con: Keeping track of your accounts

One downfall of having multiple accounts is that it can be difficult to keep track of them all and to remember which account is for which savings goal. Having said that, there are a few tricks you can use to keep them hassle free and organized.

Is it legal to have multiple savings accounts? ›

You can have multiple savings accounts with one bank or spread them across several institutions. When opening more than one savings account, be mindful of Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) limit rules, interest rates, fees, and minimum balance requirements.

What are the cons of having multiple bank accounts? ›

Having multiple checking accounts could also mean more maintenance — and more fees — from the bank if you fall below the minimum balance requirements or inactivity thresholds. Be sure to stay on top of your finances to avoid paying any unnecessary fees or losing out on accruing interest.

Is there a downside to having multiple current accounts? ›

Opening too many can affect your credit score

Every time you open an account, it is recorded on your credit history. Applying for too many bank accounts, particularly during a short period of time, whether you have been accepted or not, can have a negative impact on your credit score.

Is it illegal to have two bank accounts with different banks? ›

There's no limit on the number of checking accounts you can open, whether you have them at traditional banks, credit unions or online banks. There is, however, a limit on how much of the money you keep in your checking account is FDIC insured.

Is it bad to have a savings account at a different bank? ›

Keeping accounts at multiple banks can help your financial health. Having your checking account (and emergency savings) at a different bank than where you keep your long-term savings accounts can help you stay on track with your savings goals.

How many savings accounts should you own? ›

While there's no blanket answer for how many savings accounts you should have, Woroch recommends at least two on top of the investment accounts you're using to save for retirement: one for emergencies and one for goal-based savings for purchases like a home or car.

Should I keep all my money in one bank? ›

Keeping all of your money in one bank can be convenient. But it's important to consider whether you're getting the best rates on savings and paying the lowest fees for checking accounts. It's possible that you could get a better deal by keeping some of your money at a different bank.

Should I move all my savings to a high-yield savings account? ›

Although each financial situation is unique, it doesn't typically make sense for you to keep all of your money in a high-yield savings account.

Does having multiple savings accounts affect credit score? ›

In general, bank accounts don't affect your credit score, and they don't show up on your credit report.

Should I split my savings between banks? ›

Having multiple savings accounts can be beneficial for keeping track of different savings goals, taking advantage of different interest rates, and ensuring your savings are fully insured by the FDIC.

How many bank accounts are too many? ›

While having multiple accounts can have its perks, it can also lead to confusion and complicate your financial life. If you find it hard to keep track of all the accounts and their balances, it's best to stick to one or two accounts.

How many bank accounts do millionaires have? ›

Yes, most millionaires have several bank accounts. They do this not just because they have a lot of money, but to manage their money smartly and effectively. Having multiple accounts helps them handle their finances in a way that meets their different needs and goals.

Is it bad to have a lot of different bank accounts? ›

Higher risk of fraud: The more accounts you have, the more potential entry points there are for fraudulent activities. Could affect your credit score: Each time you apply for a new account, your credit score may take a temporary hit. Additionally, having multiple overdrafts might give an impression of financial strain.

How many savings accounts can I have? ›

Some banks limit the number of accounts you can open, and others might not. And if one bank limits the number of accounts you can open, you can open an account at a different bank. There's no limit to how many accounts you can have, especially if you spread them across various financial institutions.

Do multiple savings accounts affect credit score? ›

Your bank accounts don't affect your credit score, but they still play a vital role in getting credit.

Is it better to have multiple checking or savings accounts? ›

Budgeting with multiple bank accounts could prove easier than with only one. Multiple accounts can help you separate spending money from savings and household money from individual earnings. Tracking savings goals. Having multiple bank accounts may help track individual savings goals more easily.

How much should a 30 year old have saved? ›

If you're 30 and wondering how much you should have saved, experts say this is the age where you should have the equivalent of one year's worth of your salary in the bank. So if you're making $50,000, that's the amount of money you should have saved by 30.

Is it safe to keep all savings in one account? ›

Typically, keeping all your accounts with one bank is safe because banks usually have insurance protections to safeguard your money. But you may want to weigh your options if you have a lot of assets or you're worried about fraud.

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