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Guide to Business Money Market Accounts

Use a business money market account to build up accessible cash

By Cherie L. Berkley, Owner, Legacy Letters, LLC


Business money market accounts (MMAs) are interest-bearing bank accounts that are invested in short-term securities through banks or credit unions. The benefits of a business MMA are many: they're convenient, earn you money, and are easy to access when necessary. Like a traditional savings account, an MMA allows you to make deposits and withdrawals, and transfer money. Unlike a savings account, an MMA allows you to earn a higher interest rate than a savings account does.

Here are the top three ways a business money market account can benefit your company:

  1. Save money while earning a higher interest rate than a traditional savings account.
  2. Tie your MMA into your business checking account and other business accounts for overdraft protection, automatic deposits, and more.
  3. Withdraw money or close accounts easily without paying penalties.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done


Compare interest rates for the best overall earnings

Look for the best regular – not introductory – interest rate. An introductory interest rate is usually not the same as the regular rate, which kicks in a couple of months later, and you'll be earning at the regular rate for a much longer time.
I recommend: Bankrate.com is a great place to find the best rates at specific banks. Enter your state, city, and type of MMA, and violá – you have a side-by-side comparison of local bank MMA offerings with introductory and regular interest rates, and more. At Interest.com, input your info, choose "MMA", and compare rates near you.

Check out minimum requirements

MMAs usually require higher minimum balances and/or higher minimum initial deposits than savings accounts do. Find the right account with requirements your business can meet to avoid penalties. .
I recommend: Capital One's Business Money Markethas no fees or minimum balance requirements – in fact, you don't even have to visit a bank to open your account! At Netbank, you can open a small business MMA with $1,000, with no minimum balance requirements after the initial deposit.

Choose special features

The features of an MMA vary, so find out specifics before applying for your account. Many business MMAs allow checking account overdraft protection using the MMA funds, special "deposit only" cards, and the ability to tie your line of credit to the MMA.
I recommend: Visit Bank of America to learn about their Business Investment Account (MMA), which was designed to complement your business checking account. This MMA offers a business deposit card so your employees can make deposits (but not withdrawals, as with an ATM card).

Find FDIC-insured institutions

Regardless of the interest rate offered, if a bank's accounts are not insured by the Federal Department Insurance Corporation (FDIC) - which guarantees checking/savings accounts in member banks up to $100,000 per depositor – then your money isn't safe.
I recommend: Check out FDIC-insured Wachovia, which offers a Money Market "Sweeps" account. Each day, excess balances in $1,000 increments, above a target amount, are "swept" from your business checking account into your business MMA.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • Federal regulations limit all money market accounts to a maximum of six pre-authorized withdrawals per month.
  • A monthly fee can be charged if a minimum balance is not met, or if you exceed withdrawal or other limitations.
  • Make sure you understand your MMA's regulations, penalties, and fees, so your business isn't nickel-and-dimed to death.
  • Often the best rates require bigger minimum balances.

The official source of Business Money Market Accounts is
the Money Market Accounts page at Business.com

Earn From 2.00% to 2.30%
With GE Capital Corporation. Not An Offer Of Securities For Sale.
www.geinterestplus.com
Some of Today's Best Money Market Accounts
Search Today's Highest MMA Yields from FDIC Insured Banks. Use Bankrate.com to Shop 100s of Bank Rates! Plus Advice, Calculators, News and Tips.
MMA Rates | $10K MMA Rates | $25K MMA Rates | MMA Jumbo Rates
www.Bankrate.com
Today's Top 25 Money Market Accounts
Compare Money Market and Savings Account Rates. Sort by APY, Bank Reviews, or Ratings.
Money Market | Savings Accounts | CD Rates
www.Bankaholic.com
Compare the Top 10 Money Market Accounts
Is Your Money Working as Hard for You as You are for It? Put Your Money to Work in a High-Yield Money Market. Compare Banks at a Glance.
www.MoneyMarketChart.com/High-Yield-Savings

Recommended Solution Providers

Bank of America: Business savings and CDs
Use online matrix to compare available business savings and money market accounts.

Wachovia
Business money market accounts that provide saving investments and liquidity with interest rate tiers.

Chase
Small business accounts to manage day to day finances and money market accounts.

Washington Mutual
Earn competitive interest rates on short-term funds with flexible business account.

USBank.com
Money market savings accounts offer tiered interest rates that increase with higher balances.

Met Bank
Account offers over-the-counter withdrawals, ATM transfers, check-writing services with money-market rates.

Bank of New York
Check Invest sweep account invests excess checking balance into investment account and returns when needed.

Best Sites to Learn More

About.com: Money Market
Articles and resources relating to money market accounts.

BankRate: Money Markets
Information on daily money market rates, as well as news on money markets.

AllBusiness: Investing
List of articles including how to choose a great money market account.

Best Blogs and Forums

Bankaholic.com
Blog devoted to sharing information on the best bank rates, deals and promotions.



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