A savings account is a balance of funds maintained with a depository institution in order to accumulate money. It is a useful and time-tested way of saving up money for whatever the future holds. The bank or depository institution makes a pledge to repay the amounts maintained in the account. Typically, such institutions are regulated in the United States and provide a depositor protection insurance, which guarantees the funds will be available when needed by depositor.

Typically, longer-term investments are put into equities or fixed deposits because they yield a higher rate of interest. Each depository institution maintains their own policies about how savings accounts can be used. In many cases one bank can have several savings account offerings depending on the type of customer they seek.

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