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Can someone help me understand HOW a bank is able to pay me for simply having money in their bank?

I have been wanting to open an online savings account. I have been learning about online banking, as the concept of not having a physical bank to walk in to baffles me a bit. I initially felt like the money I deposited would somehow be lost of 'unavailable' when I need it. Now I know that if said bank is FDIC insured then it's safe.

*[b]I understand[/b] that the higher the APY, the more I will earn in interest. I also understand that the lack of a physical location equals lower/no fees.

My question is: HOW is the bank able to pay me for banking there? This is throwing me for a loop.

The grocery store doesn't pay me nor give me any reward for shopping there ...🤷‍♀️
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Zeusdelight · 61-69, M
You are letting the bank use your money in any way it wants. It can invest it and make money from it.

If you simply have an account that you can withdraw money any time you will get a small interest payment.

If you invest money for a specific time, a term deposit, the bank will pay you more, because it knows it can use the money for that time.